Dinghy Academy, Valencia named first ISAF Approved Training Centre

by ISAF on 9 Oct 2014 The Dinghy Academy, Valencia has successfully undergone a formal audit from ISAF and has subsequently become the first venue to become an ISAF Approved Training Centre. The equipment for which the training programmes at the Dinghy Academy, Valencia are currently granted is to the Laser and Finn classes.

Luca Devoti, Owner and Head Coach at the Dinghy Academy Valencia said of this approval, 'Sailing is and has been all my life. For the Dinghy Academy and for all those working, training and racing here, to be recognized by ISAF is a great honour. We will not only strongly promote the Olympic values in the athletes we train but also try to do our best to introduce as many young sailors as possible, from all over the world, to enjoy our beautiful sport.'

ISAF is currently working with a number of other Sail Training venues wishing to be granted this status based on their provision of training programs for sailors and/or coaches.

The overriding objectives of granting this status to individual Training Centres are:

- To encourage and assist in the development of Olympic and/or Paralympic level Sail Training pathways for National Sailors and Coaches in all ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs);

- To increase the number of nations attending and regularly participating in ISAF events;

- To assist all MNAs with developing 'performance' training programmes that will help give their National Sailors more of a chance to increase their skills and ultimately qualify to and attend the Sailing Competition of the Olympic and/or Paralympic Games.

The ISAF Approved Training Centre audit visit was carried out by ISAF Nominated Expert Andy Jeffrey (GBR). A full report can be found on the ISAF website here.

ISAF Training and Development Manager Dan Jaspers said of this news, 'I thank Luca Devoti for his vision and passion in helping promote sailing in all its forms. If we can point all of our MNAs towards Approved Training Centres such as the Dinghy Academy Valencia, in order for them to be able to choose the right programme that suits their needs, then we have made yet another development option available to those national sailing federations that would not otherwise know where to go to receive support in turning good sailors into great sailors and even potential Olympic athletes. I look forward to Luca and his team training many such sailors and am sure that we will see the positive results in the very near future.'

For updates on all ISAF Training and Development initiatives visit our dedicated ISAF Training and Development Facebook page here.

For information on this topic as well as all other areas of Training and Development, contact us at training@isaf.com.