The financial support of local businesses is ’critical’ to community sports clubs.

That’s the view of Tom Maher, who is the head coach of Nomads Rugby Club’s Under 13 boys team.

Law firm FIN-LAW IoM has become this season’s principal sponsor of the squad and the backing was finalised just as they travelled to Guernsey.

Mr Maher said: ’It was a great honour to be able to represent Manx rugby and the Isle of Man during our recent trip to Guernsey. This was the first time for junior Manx rugby players to get to play ’’international’’ rugby off island since lockdown.

’It was a huge opportunity at a time when no UK rugby tours are possible.

’Nomads is delighted to be partnering with Stephen Dougherty and and Lawrie Kearns at FIN-LAW for the season ahead. ’The financial support of local business is critical to community clubs like ours and we really appreciate FIN-LAW coming onboard as our principal sponsor.’

Stephen Dougherty of FIN-LAW I0M said: ’Lawrie and I are delighted to become principal sponsor of Nomads U13 team and to support its trip to Guernsey. Tom and I worked together for many years and this partnership with Nomads is a natural fit for us.

’We can see the passion and commitment Tom and his fellow coaches Stephen Bridson and Keegan Hewett bring to training the Nomads team. We look forward to watching the development and growth of this great group of talented young rugby players.’

FIN-LAW IoM recently celebrated its first anniversary.

The firm was established by two local Manx residents who have each spent several years practising law in the UK and Caribbean.

The firm specialises in financial services law with particular expertise in aviation, company and commercial, insolvency, private client and trusts.

The Douglas based firm is part of a wider FIN-LAW group with offices in Jersey, Luxembourg and the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

They provide Isle of Man and BVI legal services.

Mr Dougherty and Mr Kearns have worked at some of the largest offshore law firms and have more than 30 years’ combined legal experience having each worked in London, Cayman Islands and the BVI.

They said this knowledge of different jurisdictions and working practices brings a fresh proactive approach to the Manx legal market.

Mr Dougherty was formerly a director at DQ where he headed the corporate commercial team and has been in the island since he relocated from the BVI in 2010.

Having trained in London, Mr Kearns was formerly head of private client for one of the largest offshore law firms in the BVI.

Mr Dougherty said: ’We are very excited to have completed our first 12 months. It has been a successful year with a number of varied and high quality instructions. We are very grateful to our clients, both local and international, for their support and look forward to working with them for many years to come.’

The firm is located at Cameo House, Duke Street, Douglas.