What is a Regional Training Group Lite?

The British Youth Sailing (BYS) is in the process of changing to a club based programme of race training. For this Winter season we will be running Regional Training Group Lite (RTG Lite) for Junior (U16) sailors in Toppers and North Optimists only.

The remaining BYS recognised junior classes will have a similar programme of training organised and run by their respective Class Associations for RS Feva XL, ILCA 4, RS Tera and Techno windsurfer. The Optimist Class will run training for all regions except for North Optimist.

There will be similar programmes in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

BYS RTG Aims

Our aim is to deliver high quality local training, inspiring sailors to progress and thrive in the sport of sailing and become sailors for life. It also encourages them to develop the skills to be able to progress to their next class.

Our expectations

As sailors they take responsibility for planning and organising each weekend of training or racing. Ensuring their boat is well maintained and ready to train or race. This is achieved by rigging and preparing their boat to perform optimally on the conditions of the day.

Sailors will also consolidate their learning by training outside of the RTG weekends and committing to an appropriate competition programme.

The BYS RTG programme includes:

4 weekends of training in the hands of RYA qualified coaches delivering on-water coaching and specific training plans. There will also be off water webinars and workshops.

You’ll receive progression advice from the Lead RTG Coach and RYA Junior Racing Manager to move through the Junior and Youth programmes. As well as access to discounted products and services including branded clothing.

At the end of the season, an invitational event for the Eric Twiname Championships will be held on first May Bank Holiday. Here, all English and Home Country training groups RTGs will compete as a regional team event.

To Apply

Get Involved

How to get selected for Regional Training Groups

Our aim is to train a group of junior racing sailors who want to improve their skills and challenge themselves to be their best.

What are Regional Training Groups?

The British Youth Sailing (BYS) Regional Training Groups (RTGs) are the RYA Performance programme of race training for Junior (U16) sailors in each region. There will be RTG Lite groups for Topper and North Optimist, with the other classes of RS Feva XL, ILCA 4, RS Tera, Techno windsurfer and all the remaining regions for Optimist being supported by their Class Associations.

Applying for a Regional Training Group

Applications for the 2024 RTG Lite are now open and will close in September 2024. Please refer to the BYS Regional Training Group Selection Guidance Policy for further information before applying and to see which selection events are a requirement to attend.

If you're unsure about your region, consult our Regional Training Group Regions guidance for assistance.

Invitation Procedure

To determine who will be invited, we evaluate a sailor's performance at nominated regional class events.

Following your application, the factors below will be considered during the selection process:

Participation in any specified class nominated regional open event.
Involvement in class open training events

Invitations timeline

Invitations will be emailed in the autumn following the final indicator event. The selectors will consider a sailor's performance, knowledge, experience, and feedback from other managers and coaches to make the selection decisions.

Age criteria

To be considered for inclusion, a sailor should normally meet the following age criteria:

Optimist under 15 years of age on 31st December 2024
Topper under 15 years of age on 31st December 2024

These age limits are set to enable the sailor to progress at the optimum age into Youth Class sailing and maximise their chances of selection into Youth Performance Squads.

Sailors who are marginally outside the age criteria are invited to apply and may be included by exception. Examples where this may happen are if they were late to the sport or new to the class..

Fees

The RYA requires sailors to contribute towards the cost of all coaching programmes in the pathway. The RTGs are heavily subsidised by the RYA and Sport England, and offer exceptional value for money in terms of the quality of coaching and coach to sailor ratios.

The fees cover the venue costs, RIB hire, coaching and administration across all the activity, including on the water coaching and online remote support and learning.

The fees for the 2024-2025 programme for England are:

North Optimists - £480 - 8 days of training including online education sessions and 3 days racing at ET champs
Toppers - £480 - 8 days of training including online education sessions and 3 days racing at ET champs

For Home Country fees please check with your Home Country RPM.

Training dates

Dates – provisional - tbc on Notice of Training

Optimist

North

9-10 November
7-8 December
1-2 March
29-30 March

Toppers

East

9-10 November
30 November-1 December
1-2 February
15-16 March

Midlands

16-17 November
30 November-1 December
1-2 February
15-16 March

London & South East

23-24 November
7-8 December
1-2 February
22-23 March

South & South West

9-10 November
30 November-1 December
1-2 February
22-23 March

North

2-3 November
23-24 November
25-26 January
15-16 March

For dates of training for all other classes please refer to your class association website.