Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

OnBoard sailors get new boat boost thanks to JMST

by Susie Nation-Grainger 27 Nov 2020 03:38 PST
2020 winner Josephine Heppell © RYA

Ten youngsters from across the UK have been handed a huge boost in their ambitions to become top class dinghy sailors thanks to a national programme helping young talent progress in the sport.

The delighted sailors have been awarded exclusive use of their own boat for the next two years through the on-going partnership between the John Merricks Sailing Trust (JMST) and RYA OnBoard.

Launched in 2013, the partnership supports youngsters who display enthusiasm, drive, talent and commitment to the sport and who may not ordinarily have the opportunity or financial backing to achieve their goals. The RYA is delighted to announce that the JMST and OnBoard partnership will continue for another three years.

The 2020 winners are:

  • Josephine Rist-Heppell - Brightlingsea Sailing Club, Essex - Optimist
  • Joshua Pickard - Bowmoor Sailing Club, Gloucestershire - Optimist
  • Jude Armstrong - Upper Thames Sailing Club, Buckinghamshire - Topper
  • Alina Zubair - Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club, Lancashire - Topper
  • Cicely Blair - St Andrews Sailing Club, Scotland - Topper
  • Rory Pollard - County Antrim Yacht Club, Northern Ireland) - Topper
  • Isabel Ritchie - Notts County Sailing Club, Nottinghamshire - Topper
  • Ellis Richards - Llyn Brenig Sailing Club, Denbighshire - Ilca 4
  • Elizabeth Shilling - Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club, Co Durham - Ilca 4
  • Rafferty Seddon - Salterns Sailing Club, Hampshire - RS Tera
Josie's mum, Juliette, reported that Josie's reaction was to jump with joy! Josie said: "Brilliant, awesome, amazing! A brand-new boat for just me to use? Wow! Thank you so much. I want to use it now. Can I sail all winter? I'd better win some races next year!"

Juliette added: "This will make such a difference to her life. She has the enthusiasm, now she has the boat!"

"Wow!" was also Ellis's reaction. "This fantastic opportunity has become surreal, being a winner has left me overwhelmed. I am so lucky, excited and intrigued to see what the future will hold for me in the big word of sailing. This is going to be life changing for me and I am truly grateful" he said.

Making a real difference

The JMST seeks to help young sailors and youth sailing organisations to achieve their goals and was set up in the memory of 1996 Olympic silver medallist, John Merricks. As OnBoard's official charity partner, JMST have so far donated 86 boats and boards with some remarkable success stories.

Hannah Cockle, RYA OnBoard Operations Officer, said: "We cannot thank JMST enough for continuing to support the programme. Over the next three years, £110,000 worth of funding will be going into junior sailing. This money will have a direct impact to the recipients lucky enough to be awarded a boat - they can now feel confident that they will be able to continue their progression in the sport.

It is such a thrill telling the sailors and their families they have been successful because we know what a difference getting a boat or board will make to their lives. OnBoard is all about making it easier and affordable to get more young people aged 8-18 on the water regularly and that is what the JMST partnership helps us to achieve".

Details on how to apply for the 2021 JMST and OnBoard partnership will be issued soon.

Run by the RYA, OnBoard is a grass roots programme which introduces sailing and windsurfing to young people aged 8 to 18, through schools, youth groups and training centres.

The low cost sessions are designed to promote equal access to sailing for young people from all social and economic backgrounds, whilst encouraging their character development.

Since 2005, OnBoard has introduced more than 900,000 children to sailing and windsurfing in the UK, converting some 70,000 of them into regular participants.

For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit rya.org.uk/go/onboard.

Related Articles

Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines. Posted today at 5:59 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage. Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors. Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move. Posted on 7 Jul
Marblehead to Halifax Race Update
The front-runners are pushing hard toward the finish After nearly 24 hours at sea, the front-runners of the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race are pushing hard toward the finish. Temptation/Oakcliff leads the fleet in both elapsed and corrected time, with Boudicca – Gill Race Team close behind. Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts. Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine. Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay. Posted on 7 Jul
Foiling Frenzy at Fraglia Vela Malcesine
The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! The Moth Worlds at Lake Garda are something else! Regardless of where sailors are in their careers, or the reputation they have, everyone wants to be there and have a tilt at the title. Posted on 7 Jul
Protect Your Skin, Stay Out Longer
Rooster know that long days on the water are what summer is all about At Rooster, we know that long days on the water are what summer is all about. But with the sun high and strong, protecting your skin is just as important as protecting your kit. Posted on 7 Jul
Sea Sure 2025Armstrong 728x90 - Wing FG Board Range - BOTTOMHenri-Lloyd Dynamic Range