Youth Prize Giving at Netley Sailing Club

(l-r) Ben McGrane, James Taylor, Hannah Bowen, Archie Smoker, Polly Sandison, Adam Sandison, Rosie Parker, Stig, Rob Bowen at the Netley SC Youth Prize Giving © Netley Sailing Club

With Netley Sailing Club buzzing with the news that Planning Permission had just been granted for the new Clubhouse build, the focus was very much on the direction that the club would be taking in the future. For many years Netley has been a popular venue for some high profile events and in recent times had hosted the National Championships for the RS Teras, RS500s and Vareos and the Dart 18 cats. With their famous (or infamous) party atmosphere, on site camping and sharp organisation afloat, with the new Clubhouse finally complete, Netley looks set to re-establish its reputation as first choice location for a number of other keen fleets.

However, under the careful guidance of Commodore Rosie Parker, Netley has also been looking to its own future, by building up the whole range of activities for the growing youth scene at the club. Part of that Youth scene is to make sure that the circle of friends is expanded outside of the confines of just Netley, a move which saw youth sailors from other local Clubs invited along to the Netley Youth Regatta (see the report at http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/182769/Netley-Open-Youth-Regatta). This idea has certainly taken on a life of its own and in 2016 Weston SC will host an Open Youth regatta on the 7th May, Netley will host theirs on the 11th June, with Hamble River running the third competition on the 9th July.

(l-r) Cameron Hance, Ben Smith, Ben McGrane, Ben Marshall, Margaux Prince, Libby Child, Laura Trickett, Martha Morrow, Jessica King, Rosie Parker (Commodore), Rob Bowen (Training Principle) at the Netley SC Youth Prize Giving - photo © Netley Sailing Club

As they look to home grow further talented sailors, 2016 at Netley will see some Introduction to Racing courses being run, with further Race Training planned for the more experienced youth sailors to help them make that step up into the mainstream club racing activities.

The speed at which some of the younger sailors are emerging was recognised recently at the Youth Prize Giving. After an inspiring talk from club member Ben McGrane, the prizes for the season where handed out. One of the best trophies is for the best novice, new to racing that year and it was encouraging for the club that even at this entry level the competition was close, with Will Heather eventually winning through. Another complete novice to sailing at the start of the year, Rudy Barr, was another newcomer who had caught the eye during the season and was well worthy of the special mention he received. From the more experienced Youth sailors, Adam Sandison was consistently successful, whilst his sister Polly took the prize for best girl. Other trophy winners were Cameron Barr, Thomas Blake, Mattis Prince and James Taylor, though with the youth section of the club starting to develop some strength in depth, the likes of Jake and Archie Smoker, Toby Heather and Harry Gibson could all be prize winners in 2016.