Bursary awards for talented young London and South East sailors
Josie Kelly - Felpham SC
I needed a new set of ropes for my boat so spent half of the money on that and buying little extras like traveller wear pads. The other half went towards a weekend of UKLA training, to progress and improve my racing. The other half went towards a weekend of UKLA training to progress and improve my racing. This was very useful as it meant that I could refresh my boat and get top level training ready for block competitions in summer.
Photo above - Josie with the UKLA fleet.
Emily Campbell - Crawly Mariners YC
I used my bursary towards my trip to the Topper World Championships in Lake Garda. I replaced many parts on my pretty old boat to make sure it was in top spec. This included new toe straps, rudder stock, mast foot, traveller, a new kicker and a new sail. I also got new rash vests and sailing shorts so I didn’t over heat in the lovely weather. I am very grateful for being chosen for this award - thank you for helping me along on the way to the Topper Worlds.
Photo - Emily sailing at Lake Garda
Harry Mitchell - Erith YC
Thank you for the coaching bursary offered to Harry Mitchell in 2021 which was gratefully received and has been put to good use over the past twelve months. Harry has been actively competing and attending training camps in his Topper along with helping other young sailors coming through his sailing club.
Harry successfully earned a place on the 2021/22 ITCA 4.2 Training which required a regular monthly commitment to training weekend, and attended London and Southeast Topper series and training. Where possible he went to Kent Schools Sailing Association (KSSA) training days and regattas, and volunteered at the KSSA New Racer event taking up the role of assistant coach, offering support with rigging and helming for the less experienced children.
Photo – Harry at Kent Schools Sailing Association training in Dover
Luke Townsend - Crawly Mariners YC
I was very lucky and grateful to receive a performance bursary from. I put it towards getting winter sailing kit as I am now sailing all through the year. I bought Polypro Thermal base layers to go under my wetsuit, this has really helped me to progress with my sailing as it means I get to practice and keep up with my squad training through the winter.
I felt proud that I was chosen for a bursary, as I train hard to improve and I love sailing so much. I wrote about my bursary for the newsletter at our sailing club to encourage others like me.
Photo – Luke receives his certificate from Diana Thompson, his club’s Junior and Youth Development Adviser.
Sebastian Robb - Downs SC
I was selected for the RYA London and South East Regional Training Group. The training took place in the winter months which meant I needed warm clothes, so I bought a drysuit with the bursary. This meant that I could sail in the colder weather and benefit from the training more.
I am very grateful that I achieved this award and feel it has helped my sailing improve due to the fact that I can stay on the water longer in wintery conditions.
Photo – Sebastian in his new gear.
Finlay Geri - Felpham SC
I spent part of the bursary on training which really boosted up my confidence in a new class, which was really helpful. I also got some new kit for the winter, to stay nice and warm during days out on the water. This really helped me for the upcoming season and meant that I was fully equipped for racing. A fair bit of the training and racing was far away from where we live so the bursary was vital.
My goals for the upcoming year are to compete in regional and national events. I hope for the future to be able to go to international events and take my racing up another level. It also means I can make more friends at all the events which you never lose! Thank you.
Photo – Finlay training at Felpham
Dave Ellis, the YTF Chair, says: “The bursaries encourage young sailors to develop their sailing to their next level, or to continue and give back to their sport by coaching others. There is much talent within the region and these bursaries may help such talent realise their dreams.”