Skanco Business Systems has announced its sponsorship of island athlete Rachael Franklin for the 2018 athletics season.

Rachael is already on track for a fantastic summer.

She said: ‘I approached Skanco for help as I feel it is the right time in my athletics career to really focus on competing at the highest level possible.

‘I am also passionate about flying the flag for our island and setting a good example to younger athletes and competition at an international level will give me the platform to accomplish this.

‘I’m very grateful to have Skanco beside me on my journey this season-here’s to a record breaking season ahead.’

Dee McLoughlin sales manager at Skanco said: ‘Skanco are approached by many sports people in the island and it’s a real shame we can’t help everyone.

‘Given Rachael’s focus and clear vision of what her objectives were for this season, it was hard to not support such enthusiasm.

‘We wish her the very best of luck in her upcoming events and hope our funding and support help her reach her potential in her future athletics career’.

Rachael is fresh from her recent glory of winning the Easter running festival and a record- breaking start to the athletics season setting a new Manx record for the 3,000 metres at the NSC.

Rachael made her way into the Manx history books in 2014, when she broke two long standing athletics records - those of Julie Harrison’s 800 metres from 2004 and Sian Pilling (nee Bryce) 1500 metres from 1986.

Rachael has picked up some exceptional individual victories and played her part within the Isle of Man and Lancashire County teams while dealing with injury for almost 18 months.

Safe to say she is now back to her record breaking form and has set high expectations for herself this season.