Marine Trade Association shows support for youth training programme 

Marine Trade Association donate £500 to the OnBoard Scheme.

The Marine Trade Association (MTA) presented a £500 cheque to the RYA OnBoard Scheme today (14 January) at the Tullett Prebon London International Boat Show, in support of the programme that gives young people the opportunity to learn to sail and windsurf through schools and local sailing clubs.

The cheque was which was collected on behalf of the OnBoard programme by pupils from the Central Foundation Girls School, East London, who themselves have all learnt to sail through OnBoard.

Victoria Lenz, RYA OnBoard Manager said “We are delighted to receive this cheque from the Marine Trade Association. It is a great show of support and every penny helps to get more children out on the water.”

 Andy Ash-Vie chairman of MTA said: “MTA are so proud to be supporting the RYA OnBoard programme because it is making such a valuable contribution to the community and building the future of our sport.”  

Nine-year-old pupil Chloe Venn said: “I feel very lucky because OnBoard has given me the chance to sail. I enjoy the adrenalin rush I experience every time I go out on the water and it is a great way to let off steam.”

Run by sailings National Governing Body, the RYA, OnBoard is a highly successful industry supported grass roots programme 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.

For more information about Onboard visit www.rya.org.uk