Blithfield Sailing Club gets OnBoard with prestigious National Sailing Scheme 

 

Blithfield Sailing Club is leading the way in introducing young people to sailing and windsurfing in Staffordshire after being awarded prestigious RYA OnBoard status by the sport’s national governing body.

 

OnBoard is the RYA’s nationwide grassroots scheme to provide youngsters from local schools, community and youth groups with opportunities to sail regularly at low cost and continue participating at specially-designated OnBoard clubs in their area.

 

Blithfield SC, near Rugeley, has been working with West Midlands-based RYA officials on gaining OnBoard status over the past three years as Blithfield bids to engage youngsters in the sport and the club from an early age while also giving their families the chance to take an active role in club activities.

 

And having received the RYA OnBoard seal of approval, Blithfield recently hosted its first taster sessions for more than 20 Year 4 pupils from Richard Clarke First School in Abbotts Bromley, with many of their parents also trying their hands on the water.

 

Blithfield SC Commodore Andy Felthouse says becoming an RYA OnBoard centre of excellence is already having a positive impact at the club.

 

“RYA OnBoard is a recognised standard of quality so children, and their parents, know they will be receiving the best tuition in a safe, friendly club environment. Because it is a nationwide scheme, they also know that should they move area or join a different club they can slot straight back into their OnBoard activities.

 

“To help with the influx of new OnBoard members we have invested in several thousand pounds of sailing boats, which will benefit the whole club, and we are looking forward to getting as many local kids out on the water as possible through OnBoard from early spring next year.”

 

Brett Cokayne, RYA OnBoard Development Officer for Staffordshire and North Warwickshire, added: “It was great seeing the Richard Clarke children outside on the water, enjoying the fresh air and local facilities. 

Getting up speed - RYA OnBoard Development Officer for Staffordshire, Brett Cokayne helps youngsters from Richard Clarke First School get their first taste of a life on the water.

 

“Once they experience that enjoyment we want to make it as easy and inexpensive as possible for them to keep participating whilst having loads of fun and making new friends. I’m delighted that Blithfield Sailing Club has joined the RYA OnBoard ranks.”

 

All smiles – Youngsters and staff from Richard Clarke First School join in the fun at Blithfield SC with RYA OnBoard Development Officer for Staffordshire, Brett Cokayne.

 

Blithfield SC will continue running some off-the-water and social OnBoard activity over the winter before the scheme gets into full swing next spring.

 

On Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May, the club plans to host a four-day training camp for new and regular OnBoard sailors, coinciding with their annual club open day, so visitors can see what Blithfield’s OnBoard programme can offer.

 

Over 10 years OnBoard aims to introduce a minimum of 500,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting more than 10 per cent into regular participants.

 

For more information on OnBoard in Staffordshire and North Warwickshire contact Brett Cokayne at b_cokayne@hotmail.com or visit www.ruob.co.uk.

 

Karenza Morton
RYA West Midlands Regional Communicator

T: 07837 707630
E: press@tenpointstick.co.uk

W:www.rya.org.uk

 

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Awards joy for Staffordshire Sailing Clubs and Volunteers

 

A senior sailing teacher from Lichfield and Blithfield Sailing Club, near Rugeley, are celebrating after receiving top RYA awards for their commitment to introducing young people in Staffordshire to sailing and windsurfing. 

 

Libby Constance was named Staffordshire and North Warwickshire RYA OnBoard Volunteer of the Year while Blithfield SC picked up the Club of the Year accolade at the region’s 2010 RYA OnBoard Awards, held at South Staffordshire Sailing Club.   OnBoard is the RYA’s nationwide grassroots scheme providing youngsters from local schools, community and youth groups with opportunities to sail regularly at low cost and continue participating at specially-designated OnBoard clubs in their area.   Libby, Principal Training Officer at Chase Sailing Club for six years, this year faced her biggest challenge as with ongoing repair work to Chasewater Dam stopping sailing, Libby worked tirelessly to keep local youngsters sailing this season by striking an agreement with neighbours Aldridge SC to use their water.   Libby explains: “We realised the seriousness of the issue in February and were faced with relocating 'Youth Sailing @ Chase' to another centre or accept closure for two seasons. YS@C has been so successful we felt it essential to try to relocate.

RYA OnBoard Volunteer of the Year Libby Constance receives her award from RYA OnBoard Development Officer for Staffordshire, Brett Cokayne. Photo courtesy of RYA.

 

“Aldridge SC was very welcoming and supportive. The move to Aldridge, transporting all our boats and equipment, was a very labour intensive operation involving many YS@C officers and volunteers. But the group’s determination and enthusiasm was evidence of how worthwhile we felt the effort to be.” 

 

Meanwhile, Blithfield SC is leading the way in giving Staffordshire youngsters the chance to really embrace sailing having recently been named an RYA OnBoard club. Blithfield had worked on introducing OnBoard for three years and the club’s already hosted sessions for pupils from Richard Clarke First School in Abbots Bromley.

 

Commodore Andy Felthouse said: “RYA OnBoard is a recognised standard of quality so children, and their parents, know they will receive the best tuition in a safe, friendly club environment. We’re really excited about trying to open up as many doors as we possibly can for young people and their parents to get involved in all aspects of the sport at Blithfield SC.”

 

Host club South Staffordshire SC also had plenty to smile about on the night as they joined the ranks of the 180 RYA OnBoard clubs in Britain in receiving official RYA OnBoard status.

Blithfield SC Commodore Andy Felthouse (l) accepts their
2010 RYA OnBoard Club of the Year award from
RYA OnBoard Development Officer for Staffordshire, Brett Cokayne.
Photo courtesy of RYA. 

Having successfully run junior training over many years, producing sailors that have represented Britain at youth level, South Staffs are embracing OnBoard as the next phase in encouraging even more youngsters, and their parents into sailing, and providing a nationwide standard of excellence in junior instruction and coaching.

 

Tony Hotchkiss from South Staffs SC said: “Our measure of success will be the integration of these children and their parents into existing club activities so they can develop their sailing skills over the years and enjoy the social and support opportunities club membership can bring.”

 

Brett Cokayne, RYA OnBoard Development Officer for Staffordshire and North Warwickshire, said: “Volunteers are the foundation of RYA OnBoard and if it wasn’t for their time, dedication and commitment fewer youngsters would be able to get out on the water for the first time and experience what sailing and windsurfing can offer.

RYA OnBoard Development Officer for Staffordshire, Brett Cokayne (l)
presents South Staffs SC’s Tony Hotchkiss
with their RYA Onboard plaque. Photo courtesy of RYA.

“This is the first year we have run RYA OnBoard activity in Staffordshire and Warwickshire and we’re looking forward to getting even more clubs involved in offering even more opportunities for kids in 2011.”

 

For more information on RYA OnBoard in Staffordshire and North Warwickshire contact Brett Cokayne at b_cokayne@hotmail.com or visit www.ruob.co.uk