2017 Club Marine Victorian Junior and Youth Regatta revamp announced

by Yachting Victoria on 17 May 2016 2017 Club Marine Victorian Junior and Youth Regatta - With the success of this year’s regatta at the Mornington Yacht Club event organisers are excited to announce the dates, location and key changes to next year’s 2017 Club Marine Victorian Junior and Youth Coaching Clinic and Regatta.

With its focus on junior and youth development the Yachting Victoria (YV) Coaching Committee have completed a formal review that have highlighted key elements of change that will be implemented at next year’s event. These include an age limit increase, additional prizes and a new host.

The 2017 Club Marine Victorian Junior and Youth coaching clinic will continue to be a three day event and this year will be held from the 4 – 6th April with the regatta being continued over the weekend after the Friday break from the 8- 9th April.

Although the format stays the same the new host of the regatta will be the Royal Brighton Yacht Club (RBYC). RBYC are not foreign to junior and youth events with their successful hosting of the Opti and Open Bic State Championships during the past season. David Staley, sailing manager of RBYC, believes this move aligns with the goals of the YV coaching committee:

“We, at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, are excited to host this regatta as we believe it will create a new energy for the coming season. Over the past couple seasons we’ve placed an emphasis on developing the junior and youth activities at this Club so are pleased we are able to continue such growth with the addition of this regatta.”

In addition to the change in location event organisers are proud to announce an increase in age limit and the addition of prizes across the classes.

The age limit for the 2017 event will be raised to a maximum of 23 years old so as to encourage the participation of the athletes in the pathway classes that have just stepped out of the youth’s age range. Ultimately, this increase allows the event to become available to a greater number of individuals. Although these individuals will be ineligible to receive junior or youth prizes they will be able to gain high quality coaching and racing with their fellow peers.

Further, additional prizes will be awarded to high placing female sailors across the junior and youth classes. Once again, this tactic is aimed at encouraging the female sailors to compete, gain experience and be rewarded for doing so.

Tim Grogan, chairman of the YV Coaching Committee, believes these changes will see more athletes attend ultimately growing this regatta further:

“The Club Marine Victorian Junior & Youth Championships has grown enormously over recent years and is a perfect event to measure and celebrate the vibrant junior and youth sailing scene in Victoria. These changes are all about continuing to build momentum. Opening up the event to a wider age range of sailors and broadening the prize list will no doubt help to grow this showcase event again in 2017.”

With a year’s notice to plan, event organisers promise that this event will continue to be a premier coaching and racing event for state, national and international athletes. As always, this regatta prides itself on seeing the new group of junior and youth sailors emerge and encourages you to lock those dates in.

Further regatta details will be available in the next few months via the Yachting Victoria website.