Tuesday 20 March 2007
Scotland's sailing community received a major boost from sportscotland today with the announcement of annual investment in the Royal Yachting Association Scotland, of £329,470 for 2007.
The investment of which, £181,470 is from the sportscotland Lottery Fund, will go towards organisational and club development, player improvement, coaching, volunteering and medal success, maintaining sportscotland's role as the biggest supporter of the sport.
Part of this investment will allow the RYAS to purchase four new boats for some of Scotland's brightest sailing stars, with Cameron Steele, Peter Irwin, David Kohler and Anna Dobson all given every opportunity to continue challenging for medals on the international stage.
2006 was a tremendous year for Scotland’s competitive sailors who achieved great success in various classes. They include Mark Andrews in the Junior Finn who took home gold at the UK, European and World Championship’s, while Luke Patience and Chris Grube earned the European crown in 470 Junior.
Sisters Charlotte and Anna Dobson from Helensburgh have also had a tremendous year competing in the Laser Radial class. Charlotte, who is tipped as a medal hope for next year’s Olympics, is currently in the world’s top 20 and claimed her second ISAF event title with victory at the Sail for Gold regatta. Anna also earned two top ten rankings at the Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships and the Barcelona Olympic Sailing Week.
Scotland currently has 15 representatives in both Olympic and GB Junior and Youth squads in seven different sailing classes.
sportscotland’s continued support will also enable RYAS to continue their ‘Sailing in the City’ programme. Since it’s inception in 2004 over 6,000 school children aged between eight and 14 have been given the opportunity to experience sailing in city locations such as Glasgow’s Victoria Park and Craiglockhart Pond in Edinburgh. These sessions are delivered with the aim of providing a basic introduction to sailing while also encouraging continued involvement in the sport.
Sports Minister Patricia Ferguson said: "Sailing's popularity in Scotland is growing and this extra funding will safeguard further development of the sport at grassroots level. Scotland has already enjoyed some recent success in sailing competitions at an international level and this funding should help to provide the foundations for increased excellence."
Julia Bracewell OBE, Chair, sportscotland said: “Increasing participation in sport and improving performance of our talented athletes are key for sportscotland and the RYAS understands the importance of these goals.
“Seeing so many of our young sailors competing at the highest level is extremely encouraging and we know our on-going investment will enable the RYAS to continue guiding these athletes to further success.
“The RYAS ‘Sailing in the City’ programme has opened up the sport to many youngsters who may not of otherwise had the opportunity to experience sailing and has also shown them ways to stay involved in the sport.”
Agnes Barclay, Chief Operating Officer, RYAS, said: “The support from sportscotland is vital, it allows new, young sailors to enter the sport and ensures that Scottish sailing retains its world-class status.
“This year’s investment will allow us to build on the successes of 2006 by increasing participation and raising our national and international sailing performances to new heights.”
- The £329,470 investment is made up of £181,470 from the sportscotland Lottery Fund and £148,000 from sportscotland Exchequer funding from the Scottish Executive.
- Athlete Support is administered through the governing body and supports the training and preparation programmes for elite athletes who have demonstrated the potential to win medals, or equivalent, in significant international competitions and events.
- All athletes who receive Athlete Support will be supported by the sportscotland medical scheme.
Identified athletes receiving Athlete Support
Anna Dobson, Helensburgh, G84
Cameron Steele, Glasgow, G63
Peter Irwin, West Lothian, EH49
David Kohler, Edinburgh, EH14
Anna Burnet, Helensburgh, G84
The following athletes are supported by UK Sport World Class Development Programme.
Charlotte Dobson
Mark Andrews
Luke Patience
Chris Grube