British Sailing Talent Academy

What are Talent Academies?

British Sailing Talent Academies are designed to offer sailors with high potential monthly, consistent, high-quality coaching and training that will nurture skills and competencies both on and off the water; aimed to maximise development and progression through the youth racing programme.

Talent Academies will be focused on supporting sailors across two areas:

1) Talent Transition – Sailors with high potential transitioning into youth classes

2) Performance Development – Further development of sailors with high potential, already established within a youth class

There will be four Talent Academies located across England , each with a team of expert RYA coaches leading their designated class.

The Talent Academies will initially focus on providing year round training to sailors within the following recognised Youth Classes (Placed within each of the 4x Talent Academies) :

• ILCA 4 (Talent Transition only)
• ILCA 6 (Performance Development Only)
• 420
• 29er
• iQFOiL (2x Talent Academy programmes – North and South)

While the Nacra 15 and kite classes aren’t part of the Talent Academy programme, we will be working with the Class Associations to ensure that as many sailors as possible are exposed to these classes at Insight Days and other events. For more details visit the UK Nacra 15 Class Association or British Kitesports Association.

Why Talent Academies?

Following the Pathway Review in The need was highlighted for the pathway to better focus identifying sailors based upon future potential over current results and providing these sailors with great quality coaching and training that was more accessible geographically. As a result, the Talent Academy programme was introduced.

By providing high quality, year round training for sailors that were geographically closer to home and more evenly spread across England, this would lead to sailors spending less time travelling to training , and therefore, having an impact on reducing in travel and accommodation costs to the sailor and their families as well as more time on the water.

Principles

Each Talent Academy will be underpinned by the following principles:

• Support the effective transition of sailors with high future potential into their best youth class
• Provide access to regular high-quality training for sailors with the highest potential locally
• Develop fun, engaging and sailor centred learning environments that nurture and inspire sailors’ full potential
• Strategically locate Talent Academies to maximise reach and increase accessibility for sailors from under-represented groups

Pathway

Performance Development

The objective of Performance Development is to provide high quality training environments that further develop the best youth sailors in England to maximise their potential.

To help achieve the British Sailing Pathway objectives of creating the “champions of tomorrow”, it is vital that those sailors are provided with access to training and coaching that supports their individual development. Performance Development groups within Talent Academies will enable the best youth sailors in England access to high quality coaching without the need to travel across the country.

Sailors offered a place within their nearest Talent Academy will have access to year-round training weekends with expert RYA coaching, and access to a range of additional support and education such as physical development, sport psychology and nutrition.

Performance Development Selection Process

Selection for the Performance Development programme will be via the British Sailing Youth Team selection process, which will be open for applications before the end of June 2025.

Sailors invited to attend the British Sailing Youth Team selection weekends will automatically be provided with a Talent Academy Performance Development space.

Talent Transition

As well as supporting the development of sailors at the higher end of the talent pathway, Talent Academies are also focused on providing coaching to enhance the development of sailors with high potential transitioning into a new youth class. This is a key milestone in a sailor’s journey. Talent Academies will run Talent Transition programmes providing selected sailors with monthly transition training alongside expert coaches, to develop their skills within their new class and create a greater platform from which they can flourish.

Transitions can often feel like period of uncertainty and discomfort, however, like many periods of change it is also a period of opportunity, excitement and growth.

There are many elements that contribute to a sailor selecting the right youth class for them. This can include their physical development (i.e. height and weight), finances, opportunities locally, social/peer groups etc. All of these factors, and more, play a significant role. However, it is also important that the sailors select a class that they enjoy and they feel able to commit themselves to.

Physical capabilities

• Physical characteristics aligned to future Olympic requirements
• BYS Physical profiling scores.

Performance Values & Behaviours

• Courage and Determination - Never gives up.
• Respect & Integrity - Exhibit professionalism & sportsmanship.
• Ownership - Takes responsibility for their programme and learning.
• Passionately Ambitious - Drive to be the best you can be.
• Curiosity - Willing to learn & try new things.

Medal Winning Strength

• Demonstrate a strength that will enable the individual or team to win races.

Performance and Execution Under Pressure

• Ability to execute and excel under pressure.

Progression

• Consistent development in the above areas aligned with sailor's individual development plan.

Talent Transition Selection Process

1. Sailors complete Talent Academy application (Talent Transition only) through the RYA Portal
2. Application window will be open mid-May and close 1st August
3. Sailors will be allocated to nearest Talent Academy and invited to attend three month confirmation period
4. After final training weekend of confirmation period, sailors will be informed of their final selection or non-selection to Talent Transition
5. Selected sailors will be invited to remaining Talent Academy training (Dec 25-Aug 26)
6. Non-selected sailors will be provided with feedback and signposted to Class Association activity

For more information please see Talent Academy- Talent Transition Notice of Selection and apply.

You will be asked to create an account on the RYA Portal, please do this in the sailor’s name, if you are applying for multiple sailors within the same family, please contact youthracing@rya.org.uk.

Apply now for Talent Transition

What will the Talent Academies offer?

The Talent Academies will offer selected sailors monthly, expert coach led training and development both on and off the water. To fully develop and nurture sailors towards achieving their full potential, the focus will be on holistic development, including technical, tactical, physical and psycho-social elements.

Selected sailors will have access to the following opportunities:

Performance Development

• Up to 12 days a year of training at Talent Academy venue*
• Individual Development Plan
• Online education workshops (e.g. nutrition, recovery, building resilience etc.)
• Guidance and programme physical conditioning and strength development to support performance improvement

Talent Transition programme

• Up to 22 days a year training at Talent Academy venue*
• Individual Development Plan
• Online education workshops (e.g. Nutrition, recovery, building resilience etc.)
• Education and guidance to develop fundamental movement and athletic development

*Talent Academy training will not take place during May, to provide sailors with support around exam periods and study

DiSE (Diploma in Sporting Excellence)

 DiSE is a government-supported and funded initiative dual career pathway for talented athletes, aged between 16-18 years old, designed to help them balance their sporting ambitions with further education. The programme includes focused sessions on technical, tactical, and physical development within their chosen sport, along with topics like injury prevention, nutrition, and career planning.

The RYA are awarded a limited number of DiSE places each year

Delivery and support for sailors selected onto the DiSE Programme will be run through the Talent Academies.

Get more information on DiSE. 

Insight Days

In addition to the above information, we will also be running a series of Insight Days . These will offer sailors the chance to try various RYA recognised youth class boats and boards alongside experienced class coaches. This opportunity will provide sailors with a chance to compare different boats and make a more informed decision on what is the right class for them. Additionally, there will also be a series of on land workshops and talks that will explore the various key topics related to making a transition decision. These will include (but not exclusively):

• How to Rig and set up class boats/boards
• Partnerships and agreements
• Options for equipment purchase
• Competitions and Races: Which and why?
• Class Association training opportunities