An exciting new youth watersports project got a tremendous boost today
following an announcement by Sport England that it was investing £102,702
in
the project. The award represents a 79% contribution to the total project
cost of £130,352.

The award will fund a fleet of watersports craft that will enable Plymouth
Youth Sailing Club to significantly enhance it’s level and quality of
activity by allowing more young people to take part and allow those wishing
to compete to do so with good quality and up to date equipment. The new
lottery funded equipment includes: –

· Three Tornado rigid inflatable safety boats with outboard motors and
trailers.
· 12 Topper sailboats (single handed junior boats).
· 6 Oppies (single handed junior boats plastic versions of the
Optimist
class boat).
· 6 Laser Radials (single handed youth boats).
· 3 Laser Stratos (double handed youth boats).
· 6 Laser 2000’s (double handed youth boats).
· 3 Dart 16 Catamarans (double handed youth boats)
· 6 Hifly Magnum windsurfers (suitable for juniors and youths)
· Plus a number of race packs and trolleys.

Plymouth Youth Sailing Club (PYSC) is a voluntary organization that
facilitates sailing opportunities for young people in Plymouth. It has been
established for several years and was the first club in Plymouth to be
awarded a top accolade by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) when they
received Volvo Championship Club status. This was in recognition of the
commitment to the development of youth sailing. The clubs commitment to
youth is also reflected when you look at their management committee that
includes 8 young people amongst the 14 strong committee.

PYSC currently have very little sailing equipment and work in close
partnership with the Plymouth Outdoor Education Centre (Plymouth City
Council) and the West Devon Watersports Trust. Others organizations that
stand to benefit through working links are Drakes Sailing, Plymouth Youth
Afloat, Mount Batten Watersports Centre and a large number of RYA affiliated
clubs in Plymouth.

The aims of the project are focused at encouraging disadvantaged young
people to participate in watersports activity. Each young person is
encouraged to find there own particular emphasis on what each person wishes
to achieve in terms of sporting prowess. They can opt to compete or just
have fun learning to use the craft available. There are also lots of other
opportunities that make the club so popular, such as camping residential
trips at sailing regattas, BBQ’s and parties. The social and community
benefits of this project were recognized by Sport England who’s Lottery
Coordinating Manager for the region, Chris Scally, said,

"This is a unique project that brings together a number of organizations
working with young people in Plymouth. The potential sporting, social and
community benefits will certainly offer great ‘payback’ for our lottery
investment and help make Plymouth an even better place to grow up in."

Anyone interested in finding out more about the club should visit their
website www.plymouth-youth-sailing.org.uk or make contact with the club at
their base in the Mount Batten Centre on 01752 406444. Membership costs on
£3 a year and there is a £1 charge for each sailing session.
Contact Details

The club is meeting every Sunday at the Mount Batten Watersports Centre
which will provide a good opportunity for photographs.

Plymouth Youth Sailing Club
Stuart Jones, Group Leader of the Club,
01752 406444 (mobile: 07799067541)