RYA receives a boost to Paralympic Pathway
by Matt Carter, RYA 10 Apr 2014 12:35 BST
10 April 2014
(L-R) Charlie Stowe, Alexandra Rickham, Eddie Ramsden, Megan Pascoe and Tony Bishop © Chris Churchill / RYA
The Royal Yachting Association has received a boost to its Paralympic Pathway with a brand new fleet of 16 2.4mR one-person keelboats, with the aim of delivering future Paralympic medals for Great Britain.
Established as two of the first Paralympic training sites through the RYA's High Performance Club scheme, Rutland Sailing Club and Queen Mary Sailing Club are the first two sites to see delivery of a number of the new boats, which will provide promising disabled sailors of all ages access to the sport of sailing, and bridge the gap between the RYA's Sailability programme and the British Sailing Team's performance remit at Paralympic level.
This investment in the new 2.4mR fleet follows a successful bid to Sport England for additional resource into the RYA High Performance Club programme, which aims to establish local venues for elite Youth activity as well as a small number of hubs for entry-level Paralympic training.
The RYA made an additional application to Sport England for capital funding to underpin the Paralympic development pathway and basic gym equipment to be sited at some of the High Performance Clubs. Sport England granted this additional award, allowing the RYA to purchase 15 2.4mR keelboats for England and one for the Welsh Yachting Association, funded by Sport Wales.
Helena Lucas, London 2012 Paralympic champion in the 2.4mR class, admits to the arrival of these boats being a real step forward for her chosen sport: "The new fleet of 2.4mRs which the RYA has secured is just fantastic for the sport of sailing, and in particular Paralympic sailing. To be able to promote the sport and to encourage more disabled people to get into and progress with their sailing and racing is just amazing.
"We currently have an excellent programme and structure in place with the RYA UK Youth Squads for sailors to progress into the Olympic classes and the British Sailing Team Podium and Podium Potential programme but these programmes are principally for able bodied sailors. The aim of these 2.4mRs is something very similar but to establish a robust pathway for disabled sailors. It will hopefully encourage people from a young age to get into disabled sailing and when the times comes, they will hopefully have the necessary skills needed to compete for Great Britain at International level.
Lucas continued: "There is currently nothing in-between the RYA Sailability programme and the Podium Potential Programme so hopefully this new Paralympic pathway and these RYA High Performance Clubs will help bridge the gap between the two.
"Sailability is a great programme and is aimed at getting people out on the water whereas the Podium Potential programme is very much focused towards preparing for gold medals on the international stage. This will certainly help accommodate youngsters and adults alike who are serious about competing and have a dream about representing Great Britain at the Paralympic Games. It is the perfect opportunity for them to fulfil that dream and get their foot on the ladder of that Paralympic pathway."
John Derbyshire, RYA Racing Manager and Performance Director, added: "The RYA has always aspired to replicate all the structure, good practice and support we have historically been able to offer to able-bodied sailors, and offer similar levels of support and opportunity for our potential Paralympic sailors.
"The additional investment of UK Sport during the Rio Cycle, underpinned by capital investment by Sport England in boats, and the establishment of a development pathway for disabled sailors via RYA High Performance Clubs is the realisation of that aspiration. While we aim to dominate the podium in Olympic and Paralympic sailing, the provision of first class equipment to breakdown some of the historic barriers to participation and progression is a great stepping stone and should ensure those disabled sailors with the passion, commitment and talent can be supported on the journey to realise their potential."
The RYA is also looking to recruit a new member to join its Paralympic Steering Group (PSG), which helps shape the policy and direction of the Paralympic sailing programme in Great Britain, focussing on the Paralympic Games. See further information on the vacancy and how to apply.
To find out more on the RYA's Paralympic pathway, RYA High Performance Clubs and how to get involved please contact .