Tenby gets OnBoard
by Hamish Stuart, RYA Wales 12 Feb 2014 13:33 GMT
12 February 2014
Tenby Commodore Paul Evenden presenting the OnBoard plaque to 14 year old junior rep Ieuan James © Hamish Stuart
West Wales children will get more chances to give sailing a try thanks to Tenby becoming the latest sailing club to join the successful national scheme OnBoard.
It is aimed at providing as many opportunities to sail to as many children as possible, particularly those who would not normally get the chance to try the sport.
Tenby is already the host of many Welsh and national championship sailing events, recognised as one of the best stretches of water for sailing on the British coast, so it is one of the best venues to learn to sail.
By improving links with schools and clubs in the Tenby area, the sailing club will look to bring sailing to increased numbers of children between the ages of seven and 16.
"Tenby Sailing club has been a proactive club for a many years. By becoming the 22nd OnBoard partner in Wales we hope that it will enable them to grow and develop their family, youth and adult membership further," said Hester Walker WYA West Wales Club Development Officer.
Run by sailing's national governing body, the RYA, OnBoard is a highly successful industry supported grass roots programe which seeks to make sailing easier to get into for young people.
Over a ten year period the programme aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing in the UK, converting over 10% of them into regular participants. So far it's nicely on track.
Cat Ferguson, OnBoard Operations Officer, said, "It's great to welcome Tenby Sailing Club to the OnBoard programme.
"Sailing is a fantastic sport no matter your age, background or ability. We look forward to working with them and the local community to get as many people as possible enjoying our great sport."
Tenby commodore Paul Evenden added, "We are delighted to have been recognised by the OnBoard scheme and this will help us to develop sailing in the area even more.
"We have so many natural advantages at Tanby sailing club, but this will allow us to open up those opportnunities to even more children in the area.
"We are looking forward to being more involved in Tenby schools and giving a chance to sail to those children who would not normally come across these opportunities."
For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit the RYA's website www.rya.org.uk or the OnBoard website www.ruob.co.uk
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