University Sailing

Moving this from the photo's thread.

There seems to be a serious disparity in terms of cash for Uni sailing clubs across the country.  On the one hand, there are the Northern Uni's that struggle for funding and boats and generally win nothing big (thinking about Team Racing here), and don't get a look in on the yachting scene.  Our budget was £1000 for a year, another said their budget was £600.

On the other hand, we have some Uni's in the South that seem to wallow in cash, buying new J-80's and fleets of boats. 

First question, where does this money come from, and second question why did we had to struggle so hard to replace our crap Laser II's when there is so much money in the South for Uni sailing?

Should there be a level playing field?  Should the RYA be taking action?

Bear in mind, this isn't born out of bitterness, just pure jealousy

Plus the club at Solent uni is run terribly. Might be a contributing factor, and also the favourtism and cliqueyness.

Originally posted by combat wombat Should there be a level playing field?

There is a rumour going around that Manchester FC has a bigger budget than Torquay United. How come these clubs in the north have more money? Something should be done about it.

 

Originally posted by Stefan Lloyd There is a rumour going around that Manchester FC has a bigger budget than Torquay United. How come these clubs in the north have more money? Something should be done about it.

Football clubs are different - separate organisations based on competition that are regulated by the FA.  Uni sailing clubs are, for many people, the basis of their sailing career.  Shouldn't the RYA (ie conceptually the governing body for sailing in the UK) be ensuring that there is at least a basic standard for these places? 

Certainly my experience of Liverpool Uni SC was that the crap boats put people off.  I wasn't asking for the latest kit, but these Laser II's weren't just a few years old, they were completely shafted - holes in the bows, ripped sails, bent booms, missing rudders and tillers, bent masts - and no money to fix them.

When I requested help from the RYA, they didn't want to know.  Eventually I raised £10,000 from a local body, £1000 for the sale of the 4 Laser II's and £800 from running a team racing event - just enough to buy 6 second hand Firefly's from West Kirby Sailing Club - it was a monumental struggle and I have no idea how I got a degree whilst running the club.

The disparity would be fair if we were competitive institutions, but our club was mainly for training and introducing people into the sport. 


Edited by combat wombat

simsy

r u at solent uni.

have to admit it is clicky,  but it is a good laugh, they will give anyone a chance.  cant realy comment on how it is run.