RYA funds coaching courses for Felpham youngsters

Three young sailors from Felpham Sailing Club have had a boost to their sailing ambitions thanks to a coaching bursary from the RYA’s London and South East Youth Training Fund (LSEYTF), a charity associated with the RYA to support youth development.

The bursaries fund applicants who have shown the capability and enthusiasm to support their fellow sailors to attend an RYA Race Coach Level 2 (RCL2) course. They go to Jack Miller, and siblings Sophie and Lauren Bentley.

Jack said: "I really enjoyed the course - it was very interesting learning the difference between coaching and instructing, I learnt some new drills which I’m looking forward to use during future coaching.”

Sophie added: "I'm very grateful to the YTF for providing a bursary for the course. It was a great learning experience for all involved and I'm excited to use the qualification as soon as possible!”

Lauren concluded: "The course was a great way to present our current coaching knowledge to each other and then receive feedback on different ways we can improve and advance our sessions. I learnt a lot about the difference in instructing and coaching and hope to bring that to my future sessions both at Felpham sailing club and other clubs.”

Roger Belton from the club said: “I’d like to thank LSEYTF for the financial support given to three of our young Dinghy Instructors. They really enjoyed the course led by Jake Elsbury at Felpham SC. Fortunately they had perfect weather for the course, just before Storm Evert came through.

“Race training is very active at the moment at Felpham SC with a Youth Squad on Monday evenings, adult race training on Tuesday evenings, youth racing on Fridays and a Junior Tera Squad on Saturday mornings. Our newly qualified Race Coaches will help the club reach new levels in competition in years to come and support other local clubs too.”

Dave Ellis, Chairman of the LSEYTF added: "It’s fantastic for young sailors to be able to experience a range of opportunities, both in the UK and internationally, during their development as they learn so much. But the costs of travel, accommodation, food etc. all quickly mount up and the bursaries provide some assistance to our young sailors as they develop their sailing careers.

“We have an abundance of talent in the region and we want to give our young sailors, whether destined for ‘podiums’ or as coaches, the best chance to realise their ambitions.”

In the photo left to right are Alfie Lester, Jack, Sophie, Lauren, Will, Jake, & Sam Brackley.
Alfie and Sam have been through Youth Squad training in Toppers.
Lauren and Jack did Youth Squad training together in a Feva.
Will is from Shoreham SC.

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