Young sailor paves the way for next generation
by Southampton Solent University 31 Mar 01:53 AEDT
The trophy goes to Jessye Opoku Ware at the YJA Young Sailor of the Year Awards © David Maynard /
www.alleycatphotographer.com
Jessye Opoku-Ware, a first-year BSc (Hons) Accountancy and Finance student at Southampton Solent University, is climbing the ranks in the sailing world, recently winning the YJA Young Sailor of the Year title.
"I certainly do feel like a role model," Jessye said when Solent University asked him about the way his success is inspiring others. "I hope people can follow in my footsteps and we can get more change in sailing, more diversity."
Born and raised in London, Jessye was introduced to sailing at an assembly at Greig City Academy during year seven when Jon Holt, Head of Sixth Form, told them all about the Scaramouche Sailing Trust.
A charity set up by Jon to break down barriers to sailing for young people from London, the Scaramouche Sailing Trust has seen Jessye go from being nervous to step into a boat to winning not one award for his talent and dedication to the sport, but two. As well as being named YJA Young Sailor of the Year, Jessye was also the joint recipient of the Cowes Week Youth Trophy in 2024 alongside Kai Hockley.
As an Accountancy and Finance student, Jessye is balancing his studies with his sport, and credits Solent for helping him succeed in both areas:
"My lecturer helps fit my schedule around sailing, so I'm very thankful for all the teachers on the course who know I'm doing it and support me. I've found a good balance, putting full focus into my lessons and then focusing on sailing during the weekend."
For Jessye, it's about inspiring others to pursue their own goals, whatever those might be. On undertaking a degree while building a name for himself in his sport, Jessye said, "I have a lot of options right now and the thing with sailing is you get lots of opportunities. There are a lot of pathways in it, including accounting.
"My aim is to keep sailing at an elite level while I continue my degree, and having that choice is what I really like."
Alongside his own time in the water, Jessye helped to develop a girls' team and now spends time coaching them. He also coaches young sailors from his secondary school in London. As a student at Solent, Jessye is clear on his motivation:
"I wanted to get a degree to be a role model for my family. I want to set an example for my younger siblings to follow in my footsteps and make them all proud."
Thriving at Solent, a university on the south coast which gives students with sporting passions that lay on the water plenty of opportunities to hone their craft, Jessye is paving the way for the next generation.