U.A.E Sailing and Rowing Federation aims for ISAF recognised status

by Dan Jaspers on 10 Jun 2010 The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) is happy to announce that the U.A.E Sailing and Rowing Federation, based in Abu Dhabi has applied for inspection of their National Sail Training Programme (NSTP) with the aim of becoming accredited as having 'ISAF Recognised Training'.

Training and Development Manager - Dan Jaspers: 'I am very happy to have worked closely with all of the U.A.E Training Team over the last nine months and am very happy that they are now at the stage where inspection of their National Training Programme is possible.'

'ISAF has put a huge amount of work into developing the Learn to Sail Training Programme and to have our worldwide members use this resource to add value to their Youth and Adult sail training initiatives makes all the hard work worthwhile. I wish them all the best with their Inspection and hope that, in time, many other countries will also join this new, exciting programme.'

When the U.A.E Federation applied for and hosted a Level two Technical Course for Coaches back in September of 2009 the Federation had identified a team of individuals and clubs that would all work towards delivering a uniformed Training Programme to all sailors.

Since 2009 the Federation has, under the visionary leadership of Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed Bin Saqr Al Nehayan and a dedicated team of technically and practically minded individuals, worked hard to integrate the ISAF Learn to Sail Training Programme (LSTP) into all of the training taking place at the clubs around Abu Dhabi.

The development of Sail Training is also underway in the other Emirates and with an additional yearly Training Review agreed between ISAF and the U.A.E Federation; this resource will certainly leave a legacy of sport and education for all United Arab Emirates.

After working together with the ISAF Training and Development department and using the newly formed guidelines for the ‘ISAF Recognized Training’ Accreditation process it was clear that the U.A.E Federation had developed a great deal and once the inspection criteria and inspection process had been agreed an ISAF Inspector was allocated and the first week of July was set aside for the Inspection visit.

The commitment, passion and drive shown by the U.A.E in aligning their Training Programmes with the guidelines laid out in the ISAF LSTP is being mirrored by many of our other Member National Authorities. ISAF are working towards a similar outcome with another three Member National Authorities in 2010.

These countries all have their own existing programmes, some of which have required minor or no adjustment to fit in with the ISAF Guidelines, but all understand that the ISAF Recognition will give their individual Training Schemes a place on the International stage and help with funding applications from NOC’s and Government Education programmes.

Whatever your own MNA reason is for wishing to have your National Scheme recognized by the International Sailing Federation, please get in contact with the ISAF Training and Development Department training at www.isaf.co.uk. The process of reaching accreditation is easier than you may think.

For more information on the ISAF Training Initiatives and for resources for your Coaches - www.sailing.org/training