Youth Development Program
The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s Youth Development Program (YDP) was pioneered in 1995 to help develop and enhance young athlete’s sailing skills, as well as providing a pathway for youth sailors between 13-24 years old in Club, National and International events. The club’s commitment to youth sail training has resulted in the creation of some of the world’s best sailors including the likes of America’s Cup winner, James Spithill and 2016 Australian Olympian Jason Waterhouse.In 2014 the RPAYC continued this commitment to youth sailing by commissioning and launching a new fleet of keelboats, the Elliot 7 one design boats.
The Intermediate Youth Development Program involves both on & off water training and regatta experience. The program focuses on building core team work dynamics and advanced sail trim techniques. Athletes will focus on refining their skillsets in the following areas:
- Understand and developing advanced keelboat boat handling skills including the dynamics of both asymmetrical and symmetrical spinnakers
- Developing a deeper understanding and knowledge base of the Racing Rules of Sailing
- Implementing changes from dinghy fleet racing tactics to keelboat racing
- Execution of better teamwork dynamics
- Brief introduction into match racing
- Gain regatta experience at the One-Design & Interclub events
The next stage is that of the Youth Development Program which includes not only improving existing sailing skills in both fleet and match racing disciplines, but also includes creating a standard knowledge base for youth sailors in boat maintenance, fitness and nutritional goals, offshore sailing and inclusion in all club activities ranging from Race Management, Volunteer Coaching and crewing on members keelboats and Centreboard racing.
This course focuses more on the advanced aspects of sailing including racing rules, tactics, physical fitness, campaign planning, sail trim and boat maintenance. Upon completion, athletes are encouraged to participate heavily in Club events to acquire valuable experience in keelboat racing, inshore, offshore and Bluewater events.
The Youth Development Program runs over an 11 month period from May through to February and is open to members and non-members with participants selected by RPAYC’s Head Coach, Tom Spithill.
All programs are on board the RPAYC's eight Elliott 7 metre sports boats which carry a crew of 4 or 5.
Sponsors play an integral role in the program by funding the cost of the Elliott’s, their maintenance and racing equipment, while parents and other community volunteers help out with functions and regattas. Additionally, the Youth Development Program has strong support from volunteers, current participants and past graduates in club events.
Graduates from the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s YDP have gone on to sail on the World Match Racing Tour, Olympic Games, Volvo Ocean Race, America’s Cup, Rolex Sydney to Hobart as well as various professional sailing circuits.
For the 2016/17 season the program has continued to excel on an international level.
One key achievement from the season would be Will Dargaville and his team, Josh Dawson, Sarah Parker and James Farquharson’s victory in 2016World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championships in New Caledonia.
Dargaville continued his good form in 2016, taking out the Men’s World University Match Racing Championships in Perth. Fellow Youth Development team member Sarah Parker followed suit taking out the Women’s University Match Racing Worlds also held in Perth.
Head Coach Tom Spithill credits the success of the season to a strong overall squad.
“The YD (Youth Development) Program has been about sending a variety of teams to each event. Mixing experienced less experienced teams to events to promote learning through experience.” Spithill said.
The regatta experience and competition rubs off during in house training. As Spithill explains competition is always fierce which brings out the best in both sailing and personality.
“We have had some of the best in house training that the program has seen in years, which in turn has brought in results. It is super competitive on the water, they want to tear each other apart! But off the water the squad has really gelled as a tight knit group, and have made friends for life.” Spithill said.
The impressive Youth Development Squad’s podium results for the season include:
1st World Youth Match Racing Championship – Noumea, New Caledonia
1st Male World University Match Racing Championship - Perth
1st & 3rd Australian Women’s Match Racing Championship - Hobart
1st Hardy Cup - Sydney
2nd Centreport Youth International Match Racing Championship – Wellington, NZ
2nd Australian Youth Match Racing Championship – Sydney
2nd Musto International Youth Match Racing Championship – Sydney
2nd & 3rd NSW Youth Match Racing Championship - Sydney
2nd & 3rd Harken Youth International Match Racing Championship – Sydney
Unfortunately, the crew are not listed in the world rankings, as the rankings stay with the skipper, however it can’t be said enough how much the crew have contributed to these great results and the recognition they deserve as a group.
The current World Sailing Open Match Racing Rankings for our Youth Development Squad Members are:
Rank Name
13th Will Dargaville
73rd Malcolm Parker
121st Sarah Parker
161st Clare Costanzo
190th Emma May
492nd Harry Hall
Current Women’s Match Racing Rankings
Rank Name
10th Sarah Parker
20th Clare Costanzo
57th Emma May
Going into 2017, things start to heat up again with regattas in Perth, Sydney, Auckland and Wellington over the January & February period. Teams are already out on the water training in the earlier hours of the morning or late afternoon fitting in with School, University and work commitments.
The Youth Development Program starts up again for 2017 in May, with details and expression of interest forms up on the club website
The 2017 Training Program is now OPEN, if you or someone you know is interested in either IYD or YD please complete the following formExpressions of interest now available here: www.rpayc.com.au/sailing/youth-development-program.
For younger sailors wanting to try out keelboat sailing and interested in later being a member of the Youth Development Squad then the ideal program for them would be the Intermediate Youth Development Program, however there are limited spots available. Click here for more information:
Intermediate Youth Development Program
The Intermediate Youth Development Program consists of 16 sessions involving both on & off water training and regatta experience. The program focuses on building core team work dynamics and advanced sail trim techniques. Athletes will focus on refining their skillsets in the following areas:
Understand and developing advanced keelboat boat handling skills including the dynamics of both asymmetrical and symmetrical spinnakers
- Developing a deeper understanding and knowledge base of the Racing Rules of Sailing
- Implementing changes from dinghy fleet racing tactics to keelboat racing
- Execution of better teamwork dynamics
- Brief introduction into match racing
- Gain regatta experience at the One-Design & Interclub events
Dates:
10-13 April Easter School Holiday Period (training camp)
6-7 July Winter School Holiday Period (training camp)
13-14 May One-Design Autumn Regatta (RPAYC)
28 May NCYC Interclub Challenge (Regatta
4 June RPAYC Interclub Challenge (Regatta)
18 June CYCA Interclub Challenge (Regatta)
25 June RSYS Interclub Challenge (Regatta)
8-9 July One-Design Winter Regatta (RPAYC)
16-17 September David Lukins Memorial Regatta (RPAYC)
Training:
The program will be run over 6 training days from 0900 to 1600 and will be conducted by the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s Head Coach Tom Spithill with instructors provided for each boat from the RPAYC’s Youth Development program. Each day will comprise of up to 3 theory sessions and 2 on water sessions.
Regattas:
Six fleet racing regattas are scheduled over the duration of the program, with regattas staged at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club. A carpool service will be organized for an away event. Due to there being only two teams allocated for each club at the interclub regatta, this will mean only 10 of the IYD squad will be able to sail on the day. Each participant will do at least 1 interclub regatta. For the RPAYC’s one design regatta, the entire squad will compete in these events. 1 team will be selected within the squad to sail in the David Lukins Match Racing Regatta
Eligibility:
Sailors must be between the ages of 13-18 years old and have demonstrated sailing ability at a club level. Also desirable is experience in keelboats. All applications will be assessed on merit for the available positions. Course participants will be limited to 20 applicants. Applications must be submitted by Friday, 3rd March 2017 with successful applicants notified by Friday, 10th March 2017. Expressions of interest available here.
Coaches: Tom Spithill – Head Coach
Tom started off at the RPAYC sailing MJ’s, doing his first regatta as crew at age 3. From then on he has progressed through the centreboard division, sailing numerous dinghies. During high school, Tom participated in team’s racing where he went onto race at both state and National Level. Around this time as well, Tom was selected into the RPAYC Youth Development Program. Being part of this program saw Tom represent the club in youth International Match Racing events around the world including New Zealand & the United States of America. Tom participated in the YD program for 5 years before moving into a coaching role several years later. He has also been a part of the Wild Oats XI Racing team, competing at the 2008 Super Maxi World Championships. On return from Europe, Tom joined the RPAYC as full time in 2008, firstly as a sailing administrator, and now as Head Coach of the sailing programs.
Cost:
$600.00 – Members $700.00 – Non-Members. This will include all usage fees for the Elliot 7s, coaching over the period, sail training material & RPAYC IYD Racing shirt.
Where to next:
Sailors who demonstrate a high level of keelboat skills may be invited to join the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club’s Youth Development program for the remaining 2017 season and 2018 season.
The Youth Development program is currently offered to sailors between 16-25 who demonstrate a high level of sailing ability in keelboats or selective classes as well as a deep understanding of the Racing Rules of Sailing. This course is designed around high performance sailing across multiple disciplines and is run from May 2017 through to February 2018. This course also incorporates state, national and international level competitions supported through the Youth Competition Support Fund
For further information on courses contact the Sailing Office on + 61 2 9998 3742 or email yd@rpayc.com.au
