Inaugural Youth Squad set to make waves in 2023

by Australian Sailing Team 7 Apr 2023 13:05 AEST

Young Sailors competing on day 4 of the YouthSail VIC Championships in 2022 © Tom Hodge Media

Twenty-five young sailors from across the nation will form the inaugural 2023 Youth Squad which will meet to train and compete together for the first time this month.

Held at Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, an official Youth Squad camp run by top Australian coaches - including Annie Eastgate (ILCA 6), Amelia Catt (420), Jamie Swavley (420) and Tom Squires (IQ Foil), - will support the development of these young sailors and prepare the squad for competition at the 2023 Youth Sail VIC Championships which are set to start immediately following.

The Nacra 15 squad camp will be held at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron from 13 - 16 April led by Emma Jones (Nacra 15) and the Kitefoiling squad work is scheduled for mid-May led by Ryan Palk (Kitefoiling).

The purpose of the Youth Squad is to assist youth sailors in their development and prepare them for their Class Worlds. This domestic (non-residential) camp support is part of what is on offer to these sailors with webinars covering a range of topics delivered by our advance coaches also scheduled from April to June. In recognition of the Youth Squad each sailors shall receive a uniform and upon completing the camp the Youth Squad will receive an training plan for when they return to their home.

The Youth Squad will get access to more opportunities in the development, competition and social spaces, including multi-class cross squad learning and experience, quality coaching and the ability to form new friendships in the development environment.

Jamie Swalvey is proud to play her part as a coach for the inaugural Youth Squad.

"I'm really excited for all the classes to be training in one spot all together as there's a lot of value in learning from sailors in different classes," stared Swalvey.

"The 420 sailors are often really good thinkers, so I'm really keen to challenge them and even learn from them and help them build their skills so they can take away some key learnings.

"It'll be great to capture our top sailors all together and narrow in on what they need to work on to help them perform overseas," Swalvey finished.

Up-and-coming competitor in the IQFoil class, Amelia Wilson is looking forward to the camp, noting that she is excited for both the training and social aspect.

"I'm excited for the camp cause I know most of the people going and all the foilers are really close, it's a real community," started Wilson.

"I'm looking forward to being coached by Tom Squires cause he's really nice and encouraging, and all the foilers help each other do their best as well so it's a really great environment to be in.

"I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can from the other sailors cause we're all from different states and only get to see each other every few months. It'll be really good to see how everyone is doing, learn different techniques from each other, and just share information so we can all do our best in upcoming regattas," Wilson finished.

Young Sailors competing on day 3 of the YouthSail VIC Championships in 2022 - photo © Tom Hodge Media

The program has received support from national class associations, with Australian ILCA President Ken Hurling OAM, one of many promoting its benefits.

"I wish to congratulate Australian Sailing on this initiative," began Hurling.

"Anything that helps young sailors stay in the sport of Sailing is good for everyone. The collaboration between the class associations and Australian Sailing is strong and aligns with a long-term strategy."

The names of each of the Youth Squad can be found below: