Youth Squad

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Inaugural Meeting  

NOTES FROM MEETING TO DISCUSS
THE FORMATION OF A JUNIOR SECTION
AT BASSENTHWAITE SAILING CLUB

Date:   26 January 2008

 Introduction

Nigel Lewis (Bass SC Training Officer) introduced the meeting stating that although there is considerable training available at Bass SC, the club could do more to encourage existing, new and potential younger members of the club.  Nigel felt that his training role keeps him well occupied and thought that someone else should take on the role of leading a junior section at the club.  Rhonwen Bryce had volunteered to take on this role and he handed the meeting over to Rhonwen.  Nigel also introduced Elaine Ross who was a member of Bass SC as a youngster but now sails at Solway YC where there is an active youth section.

Rhonwen thanked Nigel for all his work and acknowledged that there will be considerable overlap between the roles.  She also commented that a junior section needs to cater for juniors who tend to come to the club at weekends with their sailing parents, and also those juniors who are new to sailing and who tend to come to the club on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  It was recognised that not all activities would suit all juniors, but that a range of activities (both sailing and shore based) need to be considered.  Rhonwen also noted that whilst there can be separate activities for juniors, they should be encouraged to participate in existing club races and social events and become fully integrated in the club.  Activities, issues and ideas for a junior club, which Rhonwen had previously prepared, were distributed and the ensuing discussions are summarised below (although not necessarily in the order they were discussed).

At the end of the meeting, the name by which the junior section of the club should be referred was discussed.  The name ‘Youth Squad’ was chosen, with Rhonwen being given the title of ‘Youth Squad Leader’.  These names will be used throughout these minutes.  The term ‘squad’ applies to any youngster who wishes to participate in any activity.

Training Sessions

Nigel is already arranging training sessions on Tuesdays 5pm to 7pm from May through July.  These will be specific to Youths.  Bassenthwaite School have already expressed interest from a number of pupils, but these sessions are open to any Youth within the club.  The later session (Tuesday 7pm to 9pm) is open to any Youth or adult.  He also expects to run a number of weekend sessions (details still to be confirmed).  It is intended that the Youths will work towards the RYA Youth sailing Level 1 and Level 2 qualification.

Nigel also recommended the RYA workbooks which are particularly good for introducing young kids to sailing.

 Action 1:         Nigel to ask Council for funds to purchase RYA workbooks

 Racing

 Meeting attendees concurred that the jump from learning to sail to racing with adults is a big step and very daunting.  Various options for easing this transition were discussed and the outcome is detailed below:

 The Youths would like to have their own races, preferably away from adult racers.  Obviously this will take some setting up and will require safety cover, OOD etc.  However, the preferred suggestions were:

·   Have races in the bay on Sunday afternoons when club racing is round the lake

·   Have a separate start/extract results from Thursdays evening races

·   Have an early start race on a Saturday afternoon

Action 2:         Rhonwen to develop a suggested junior sailing programme and take to next Council Meeting for approval. 

 Other activities which may help ease the transition from learning to sail to racing were suggested:

 ·   Buy bigger, brighter buoys which can be set and lifted each race

·   Have a ‘coach boat’ to give advice during the race

·   Set the course early and discuss it on shore with the Youths prior to them setting sail so that they know where they are going and what to expect

·   Set a course, then take some kids round it in one of the rescue boats so that they get a feel for the course and where they are going

·   Carry out specific Race training Courses

·   Arrange for Youths to crew a race for experienced sailors

 Action 3:         Dave Nicholson to investigate purchasing buoys (National Park Board may have issues)

 Action 4:         Nigel to consider setting up Race Training Courses

 Action 5:         Rhonwen to consider the other suggestions when setting up the Youth Training Programme

Bearing in mind the desire to fully integrate the Youths in club racing and the joys of attending Open Regattas at other clubs, it was suggested that Youth Squad members are rewarded for endeavour, e.g. a Bass SC burgee after completing 10 club races, or a trendy watch strap after completing 5 Open Regattas. 

 Action 6:         Sam Hall to suggest suitable ‘rewards’ to Rhonwen who will ask for funds from Bass SC Council and obtain the relevant goods.

It was noted that Bass SC is due to host the NW Junior Travellers (Sat) NW Topper Area Champs on 5/6 July and that Bass Sc should aim to host a junior regatta each year.  The regatta may only be a one day event and may coincide with some race training. 

 Action 7:         Rhonwen to discuss incorporating a Junior regatta into the Bass SC calendar at next Council meeting

Elaine mentioned the Youth racing which was available at Solway SC: There are 4 clubs participate in a South West Scotland Sailing Association. These are Annandale, Solway, Loch Ryan and Wig Bay. All have open regattas and Bass members are welcome to join in. A useful introduction for Youth members to racing elsewhere.24/25 May is the SWSSA regatta at Solway YC.; 19-25 July is the Solway SC Youth Regatta (Cadet Week, a 5 day ‘holiday regatta with social events etc); 20 September is their Topper Team Racing event.  Elaine extended an invite to any Bass SC Youths who wished to attend any of these events.

 Social Events

The idea of an annual ‘Sail to the end of the lake and have a picnic’ was well received.

 Action 8:         Rhonwen to incorporate Sail & Picnic into junior sailing programme

It was suggested that a start of season ‘Do’ would encourage the Youths to come down to the club and get on the water.  It was also suggested that it could be an ‘invite a friend’ event which would have the benefit of introducing more kids to the club. Elaine said that the Solway Youths last year had an end of season presentation dinner at which all the kids were dressed in kilts/suits/prom dresses and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it.  The Youths at the meeting expressly asked not to have discos but to have events where they could talk to each other.  Suggestions included quiz night, pasta night, beetle drive.  Other suggestions are welcome.

 Action 9:         Sue Tyson to discuss a social events programme with the club Social Secretary

Communication

It was agreed that a junior section on the website would allow information to be disseminated easily and create interest in what is going on.  It may also be possible to set up areas on the Forum on the website, although there was concern over how easy the Forum is to use.

 Action 10:       Rhonwen to request William Carruthers to set up a Youth Squad Section on the website.

It was also thought that a section on the club Notice Boards would be beneficial.

 Action 11:       Rhonwen to request a space on the club notice board for Youths

Sam Hall and Georgina Craig agreed to manage the notice board and also to provide William with regular updates on what is happening in the Youth Squad to William for publishing on the website.

Lewis Tyson, Joe Watkins and Nicholas Morgan all volunteered to write a short article for the next edition of Foxy tails to encourage other Youth members to get out sailing.

Youth Squad Handbook

It was recognised that we are too late to have information in this year’s club handbook, but that a leaflet with the sailing programme, social programme etc would be useful.  It is the intention to get this information in time for the club handbook in future years.

 Action 12:       Rhonwen & Dave Nicholson to produce a Youth Squad Info Pack

 Instructors and Safety Boat Personnel

Although training of instructors and safety boat personnel is within Nigel’s remit, it is obviously important to junior training sessions and races.  There was a very encouraging response from parents at the meeting and Nigel took away names of those willing to train up.  Nigel told the meeting that the club should shortly have 6 Assistant Instructors who will work with Instructors and thereby increase the number of people being trained at each session.

Clothing

Elaine brought examples of Solway SC hoodies and sweatshirts which had the Solway logo and were popular with the Solway Youths.  It was agreed that similar items should be purchased.

Action 13:       Caroline Craig to investigate possible suppliers, prices etc.

Catering

The success of last year’s Tuesday training sessions were acknowledged, as was the availability of hot chocolate etc when the kids came off the water.  Whilst it is expected that some of the Bassenthwaite School parents will help with this, Jane Hall and Caroline Craig agreed to co-ordinate it.

Youth Squad Reps

The meeting attendees thought that Youth Squad Reps would be a good idea and whilst they will be elected in future years, the meeting nominated Joe Watkins, Georgina Craig and Robin Crawley.

Grant Applications

Kathy Crawley offered to assist with any grant applications.

Rhonwen closed the meeting thanking the large audience for their attendance, enthusiasm and willingness to volunteer. It was agreed to hold a follow up meeting at the start of the season.

Last updated 23/03/2008