MASSIVE FUNDING BOOST FOR YOUTH GROUP

A youth windsurfing group has received a major grant to boost its development.

The windsurfing group ‘Over2You’ is based at Axbridge as part of the
sailing club, BCYC, and provides an opportunity for teenagers to windsurf
together on a regular basis and develop their skills. They needed
equipment and resources to allow them to carry on as an independent group
once they were too old to belong to the Axbridge Animals, one of the
country’s top Team 15 clubs, which was formed in 2003.

The group had plenty of enthusiasm but no equipment, so George Shillito,
one of the founder members and an instructor for the Animals, applied for
‘Somerset Youth Opportunity Funding (DfES)’. This fund is aimed
specifically at providing places to go and things to do for young people,
and was ideally placed to help. Every local authority has been allocated
similar funds to give young people power over how money is spent in their
local area.

A total of £13,955 was awarded, to provide equipment and storage. It will
also fund instructor training courses for the group so that they can
instruct and provide safety cover for one another independently, as well
as gaining a useful qualification.

George, who is also a member of Team AirBorn, said “As my ambition is for
everyone to enjoy windsurfing, this funding looked like an awesome
opportunity to take a step in that direction. It’s great that the people
who got into the sport through Team 15 can keep going and even become
instructors”.

Although membership of Over2You is currently comprised of former members
of the Axbridge Animals, it is open to anyone aged 16 to 19 who is already
a competent windsurfer. Further details are available from
[email protected]