The Yachting Victoria Development Squad - A further step

by Jane Moffat on 3 Jun 2010 The Yachting Victoria Development Squad.

Tuesday night, June 1, the new Yachting Victoria Development Squad (YVDS) was launched at the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS). The YVDS is Step 7 on the YV Sailing Pathway (link) and is for sailors who aspire to be part of the VI S Sailing Program. Sailing became a Tier 1 sport at the VIS last year and the VIS Sailing Coach – Johnny Rodgers was appointed shortly afterwards. The launch was held at the VIS at Olympic Park, and Johnny outlined what is expected of the sailors who want to progress to international success.

Selection is based on performance; commitment and those with aspirations ultimately be in the Australian Sailing Development Squad and Sailing Team.

Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club and Royal Brighton Yacht Club have generously agreed to sponsor the program, which means that high level coaching can be provided at an affordable cost. Coaches include Ian 'Bunny' Warren, an Olympic Sailing Coach and Ricky Ironmonger an ISAF Youth Laser Champion.

The program consists of three intensive camps at Sorrento and eight mid week sessions at Royal Brighton Yacht Club, along with two specific fitness sessions each week. Add to this the access to the VIS Nutritionist, VIS Sport Psychologist and VIS Strength and Conditioning coach the selected athletes have had a door opened to the next level of becoming an elite athlete.

In his presentation to the YVDS members and their families Johnny Rodgers provided food for thought. He questioned how good Ian Thorpe would be if he only trained once a week, he indicated that 12 year old swimmers train for 5 hours a day, it takes 3000 hours training to become a world champion and 10,000 hours to win an Olympic medal and then he asked the sailors to think how often they trained. The presentation highlighted the commitment required of the sailors but also their desire to follow their dream.

Thanks to supporters of the program and to the members of the Yachting Victoria Coaching Committee who have been responsible for its development – Mark Jackson, Ian Gillies, Scott Davies and dual Olympian Sarah Blanck.

Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club
Royal Brighton Yacht Club
Club Marine

Through this new squad Victorian youth sailors have a clear pathway, with the support, to take them to the ultimate goal of Olympic gold.

We wish them all well.

Members of the Yachting Victoria Development Squad for 2010-11 are:

Tom Klemens – SYC
Will Llewelyn – SSCBC/SYC
Henry Say – SYC
Melissa Hitchen-Haw – SYC/MYC
Thomas Vincent - McCYC
Mitch Cittadini – RBYC/SSCBC
Thomas Dwyer – RBYC/SSCBC/MSC
Jack Lloyd – PYC/RBYC/SSCBC
Tess Lloyd – PYC/RBYC/SSCBC
Oliver Kalpokas – RBYC/SYC

VIS Youth Athletes are:
George Davies - SSCBC
Andrew Gillies – RBYC/PMYC
Jeremy O'Connell - APYC
James Sly – MSC/RBYC/SYC
Tim Hannah – SYC/SSCBC