Interview
Future focus RYA Director of Racing Ian Walker tells Georgie Corlett-Pitt how a restructure of British Youth Sailing’s coaching programme is aiming to bring benefits to the wider sailing scene
t has been two years since RYA Zone and National Junior Squads were phased out in a move by the RYA to strengthen the UK sailing scene from grassroots level up. Now there is a vibrant regionally-based race training programme in place that is encouraging sailors under the age of 16 – and their parents – to stay local to their clubs and regions.
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JUNE 2022 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting
Although not planned in response to covid, the timing of the restructure was, in a way, fortuitous; as travel and meet-up restrictions meant that national training would have been impossible at this time anyway. And, as the man behind the move, RYA Director of Racing Ian Walker believes, the backdrop of covid has meant a more ready acceptance of such large-scale change.
ABOVE
After successful Olympic, America's Cup and Volvo Ocean Race campaigns, Ian Walker took on the role of RYA Director of Racing in 2017
Wider benefits
The aim of the restructure was to stop national squad selection happening at too early an age. Instead, at junior (under 16) level, there is now a greater emphasis on enjoyment and participation, as well as skill development, in the hope that this will ultimately help to retain more young sailors within the sport. Ian says the rationale behind the
