ISAF seeks interest from Performance Sail Training providers

by ISAF on 24 Apr 2014 The International Sailing Federation is inviting letters of interest from Performance Sail Training providers wishing to be listed by ISAF as an 'Approved Training Centre'.

The objectives of this project are for ISAF to:

- Encourage and assist in the development of Olympic and/or Paralympic level Sail Training Programs for National Sailors and Coaches in all ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs).

- Increase the number of ISAF MNAs regularly participating in international events such as the ISAF Sailing World Cup and ISAF Sailing World Championships.

- Assist all MNAs with training and development that will help their National Sailors qualify for and ultimately attend the sailing competition at the Olympic and/or Paralympic Games.

The creation of an official list of 'Approved Training Centres' was approved at the ISAF Annual Conference in November 2013. A process guideline document containing a set of minimum criteria has been developed through the collaboration of the Development and Youth Committee, ISAF Secretariat and representatives from the 24 nations present at the 2014 ISAF Development Symposium in South Africa.

MNAs and their National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will be able to refer to the list of 'Approved Training Centres' in applications for [IOC Olympic Solidarity Scholarships for Athletes] (link to www.sailing.org/training/iocfunding/OS-athletes) and the identification of suitable training centres to host sailors and/or coaches for independently funded performance related sail training programmes.

Sailors and/or coaches trained at the ISAF 'Approved Training Centres' will be supported by their respective MNA to attend ISAF Sailing World Championships, ISAF Sailing World Cup regattas as well as other national, regional and International regattas. Attendance will also form part of a dedicated training program in preparation for potential qualification for the Olympic Games.

An ISAF Nominated Expert will complete a visit of the Training Centres that have demonstrated their eligibility via a self-audit form to create an online list of the approved centres.

Training Providers wishing to be considered for recognition must initially provide a written letter of endorsement from an authorised person at their MNA in the country in which the Training Providers main base of operations is situated.

Each training provider will also need to write a short letter of intent, stating why ISAF should consider their application for this recognition.

The self-audit form and Recognition Process Guidelines document can be requested by email. training@isaf.com

For information on other ISAF initiatives to grow participation in the sport of sailing visit the training pages on the ISAF website here: get involved with the ISAF Training and Development Facebook page here and follow us on Twitter via @ISAFDevelopment