Ana Dawson tees up new sponsorship with

RL360 has taken on the role of headline sponsor for Manx professional golfer Ana Dawson.

An event to officially launch the partnership was held on Thursday 16 February at the Bay Green Restaurant at Castletown Golf Links. Amongst the attendees were RL360’s CEO David Kneeshaw, Marketing Director Simon Barwell and Graeme Gault, Ana’s manager, Director of Vannin Sports Management.

Fresh back from her professional debut in Kenya earlier this month, Ana spoke about the sponsorship and her hopes for the coming season:

“It’s an amazing feeling to be playing at this level; I’ve already had my first event and can’t wait to get back on the course. The standard for women’s golf has improved so much over the years and I want to help showcase this by playing in as many tournaments as possible, a goal that’s a lot more achievable because of the financial support from RL360. I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve received over the years from family, friends and now RL360 and I look forward to representing the company and the Isle of Man as I travel across Europe.”

Born into a family of avid golfers, Ana’s love for the sport started at a young age. She spent much of her childhood and teenage years perfecting her swing at Peel Golf Club. From early on, it was clear that Ana had a real talent for the sport. In 2014, she made England’s Under 16’s North West squad after competing against 150 junior golfers across the country and then again for the Under 18’s. During this time, Ana managed top 20 finishes in prestigious amateur events such as the Fairhaven Trophy and the Scottish Girls Open Championship.

Ana’s performances earned her a sports scholarship at the University of Memphis, and she went on to spend 4 years representing the University’s golf team in interstate tournaments whilst studying Sports and Hospitality Management.

After graduating in 2022, Ana returned to the UK to continue playing golf in what would be her final season as an amateur golfer. One of the biggest highlights of last year was reaching the final of the prestigious Faldo Series, which is the only global event for high-level amateur male and female players, after winning the qualifying event in Wales by ten strokes. Overall, Ana finished the series as the highest-ranking female player in 7th place in the mixed gender standings.

The only thing standing in her way from full playing status on the Ladies European Tour (LET) was Qualifying School in La Manga, Spain which meant playing 4 rounds against 140 of the best amateur golfers in Europe. After a strong opening round with a par score of 71, Ana endured a difficult second and third round, which put her under immense pressure to make it through to the final qualifiers. Through grit and determination, she pulled off a 2 under par of round 69 and a 4 under par final round that saw her fly up the leaderboard and claim the second highest category (16) on offer.

On 2 February, Ana played in her first professional tournament at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open at Vipingo Ridge Resort, where she endured 30 degree heat over 4 days to make the final cut and finish in 54th place. A great start to the season and a sign that the best is still yet to come.

Ana joins fellow pro golfer Tom Gandy, who has been sponsored by RL360 and Friends Provident International (both part of International Financial Group Limited) since 2020, as part of the company’s Athlete Sponsorship Programme.

RL360’s Simon Barwell commented on the importance of supporting home-grown talent like Ana:

“We set up the programme back in 2020 to help local athletes reach their highest potential, and even before that we had sponsored sport shooter Tim Kneale who went on to compete in the Rio Olympics and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. When the opportunity to sponsor Ana came up, it seemed a natural fit. There’s no doubt that she’ll go far and we look forward to supporting her along the way. ” now – 09.07.2023 now – 06.05.2023 now – 25.03.2023

Lost And Found

A display of the wonderful variety of items that have been found in the Island through the hobby of metal detecting, displayed in the Cabinet of Curiosity. This unique display hosted in partnership with the Manx Detectorists Society will introduce you to some of these fascinating artefacts and the dedicated people who found them. Free

Manx Museum, Douglas 01624 648000 | www.manxnationalheritage.im

02.03.2023 – end December 2023

The Manx Nature Show

The Manx Nature Show is a celebration of the wildlife of the Isle of Man and the people who work to conserve it. The show is being organised by Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch and has been made possible by funding from UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man. Free Peel Cathedral, Peel 01624 610131 www.manxnatureshow.weebly.com

11.03 – 14.05.2023

DIVINATION: CREATION FROM A SINGULAR POINT

Contemporary geometric art based on traditional Islamic, Celtic and Vedic geometry and labyrinths, by Sarah Shenanigans. £10

Erin Arts Centre, Port Erin 01624 835858 www.erinartscentre.com www.facebook.com/sarahlshenanigans

1-3 December

Out Of Hours Art Club

An art club for those of us with busy days with open art sessions at The Mitre, Ramsey on the first Thursday of every month, and life drawing on the 3rd Wednesday – both from 7- 9pm. No experience is necessary £10

The Mitre, Ramsey 01624 813045 www.facebook.com/outofhoursartclub

11.03.2023

Thirty

An exhibition marking 30 years of the Isle of Man Arts Council Modern and Contemporary Loan Collection.. Free House of Manannan, Peel 01624 648000 www.manxnationalheritage.im

03.03.2023

FREE

This year’s theme for the ever popular open art competition is FREE. Artists of all ages, and working across a full range of media, have entered their work to compete for various prizes, including the public vote winner, which is chosen by visitors to the exhibition, which continues to 22 April. Free

Hodgson Loom Gallery, Laxey www.facebook.com/hodgsonloomgallery

09.03 – 12.03.2023

Isle Of Man Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert

The Spring Concert is to be conducted by Nigel Harrison. The first half of the programme features works by female composers. After the interval comes Dvořàk’s 5th Symphony, a wonderfully joyful and exuberant piece. £14

West Hall, Ramsey Grammar School jw-iomso@wm.im www.iomso.im

METABOLIZM PRESENTS: SASHA

Metabolizm presents Sasha, a true pioneer of the electronic music scene with support from P:Q & Nichols live (b2b) and Connor Hislop. £36

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

Isle Of Man Festival Of Darts

The Isle of Man darts festival is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly anticipated and best attended events in the WDF calendar. not just lured by the guarantee of over £35,000 in prize money, but almost uniquely, just to be a part of what many consider to be the biggest ‘party event’ of the year. Free

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com | www.isleofmandartsfestival.com

18.03.2023

The Illegal Eagles

Celebrating over 50 years since the formation of the legendary USA West Coast Country Rock band The Eagles in 1971, RS Promotions presents The Illegal Eagles with a brand new music production, promising more of their trademark musical prowess, acute attention to detail and incredible showmanship. £32.50

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

06.04 – 08.04.2023

If you would like events added to the What’s On section, email events@gallery.co.im

31.03.2023

06.04 – 09.04.2023

In Conversation With Bez

Join Bez in the Prom Suite, as he talks about his extraordinary life and career, the story of a bad lad who has turned his life good, tracing his passage from twenty- thirty-something casualty to middle-aged politician, eco-warrior, and bee-aficionado. £23.50

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

15.04.2023

Shennaghys Jiu

This traditional Music & Dance Festival will once again feature a range of visiting groups and performers, including musicians and dancers from Killarney, from Cornwall and a ‘supergroup’ of Manx, Irish and Scottish musicians.

Ramsey & Peel 01624 600555 www.facebook.com/shennaghys

20.04 – 22.04.2023

CAMRA 10th BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL

The Beer and Cider Festival features over 100 ‘Real’ cask conditioned ales, approx. 20 ‘Craft’ ales and 60 ‘Real’ ciders & perries (all as defined by CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale) together with fruit wines and meadssourced from around the UK as well as locally. £3.

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

22.04 – 29.04.2023

Boyzlife

This boyband super group, brings together members of two of the world’s biggest bands – Boyzone and Westlife - Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, with an amazing back catalogue of 18 number 1 singles and record sales of over 60 million worldwide. £35

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

25.04.2023

The Railway Children

Parker and Snell Company present Mike Kenny’s imaginative stage adaptation of E Nesbit’s much loved children’s classic. One of the very finest children’s stories ever published comes to life on stage in this glorious adaptation, a must see for all the family. £17-£80

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

29.04.2021

MANX MUSIC FESTIVAL/’THE GUILD’

After a pandemic enforced break of two years, The Guild was back last year and was heralded a huge success. Tickets for this and some of the other classes are much sought after so don’t delay getting yours. £5

Villa Marina, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com | www.manxmusicfestival.org

THE LEGENDS OF AMERICAN COUNTY

Now seen by over 350,000 fans live and watched by millions on TV, Europe’s No.1 multi-award winning show “The Legends of American Country” returns for a fantastic night of toe tapping Country nostalgia. £22-£110

Gaiety Theatre, Douglas 01624 600555 www.villagaiety.com

RAVENS SOCCER AID 2023

Ravens Soccer Aid 2023 is raising funds for FC ISLE OF MAN and for the club’s charity partner, Isle Listen with the opportunity for soccer fans aged 16+ to play alongside and against the team’s players in the inaugural Dave Whittle Cup.

The Bowl, Douglas www.fcisleofman.im

Elgar - The Music Makers & Finzi - For St Cecilia

Musical Director: Mandy Griffin

Soloists: Jane Mayne & Lorcan O’Mahony

Sunday 26th March 2023 at 3pm

The Royal Hall, Villa Marina, Douglas

Featuring: World premiere performance of “Composer of Life”

Music by Ellie Quayle, Words by Zoë Cannell