Max takes RYA Eastern Region Youth Champion Award OnBoard
Max Oscroft (13) from Perry, near Huntingdon, was presented as the Eastern Region Youth Champion, one of 13 regional winners from across the UK, at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show on 1 March 2015.
The talents of the UK’s most promising young
sailors, windsurfers and powerboaters were celebrated as the
winners of the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards were revealed.
The awards were presented at London’s
magnificent Alexandra Palace by four times Laser World Championship Medallist
Nick Thomson in recognition of the outstanding achievement and performance of
young people across the range of activities the RYA represents.
Max was nominated by Grafham Water Centre OnBoard Club and selected as a
winner by the RYA Eastern regional committee. His racing success follows on
from the club members being introduced to sailing through the RYA OnBoard
scheme. Over a ten year period the scheme has introduced over 500,000 children
to sailing and windsurfing in the UK and converted 10% of them into regular
participants.
In nominating Max Grafham Water Centre Onboard Club said of him: “Max
has been with our OnBoard Club for the last four years and has grown into not
only an extremely competent sailor but also a great young man. He came to the
club through a sailing taster session and has not looked back since.
“Max has attended the National School Sailing Association National (NSSA)
Youth Regatta for the last three years and has come away with some incredible
results. Not only this, but he now has his own Laser which comes with him to
local Cambridgeshire regattas, and this year finished in the top 10 - a huge
achievement for a boy who is only still 13 years old.
“Max now gives up his Saturday mornings to teach the younger members of
our OnBoard Club and is giving something back to the sport he truly loves. He qualified
as an Assistant Dinghy Instructor this summer, and it’s easy to say we're all
extremely proud of this young man.”
Max, who is a Sports Ambassador at
Longsands Academy, said of the presentation: “It was fantastic to be presented the award by
Nick Thompson, a fellow Laser sailor. I had a chance to catch up with him
earlier in the show for a chat about Lasers, and I look forward to
seeing him battling it out in the Rio Olympics.
“I was amazed how well the other regional winners had done. The
Feva crew list of wins was jaw dropping. It was a great show and everyone was
so friendly. I’ve already booked tickets to see the Americas Cup in
Portsmouth.”
RYA Sport Development Manager Duncan Truswell commented: “At the RYA we
believe it’s really important to recognise people on every level and these
youngsters are all so passionate about their sport and they all put in the
extra effort. Of course, all this wouldn’t be possible without the
support of their parents, guardians, coaches, trainers, club officials and
friends. Our congratulations go to all the worthy Regional Youth Champion
winners – some of them are undoubtedly the rising stars of the future and I’m
sure many may indeed follow in the footsteps of our successful Olympians, world
champions and record breakers.”
For more information on the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards visit youth champion
For more information about how to get involved in sailing visit onboard
For more about Grafham Water Centre
visit www.grafham-water-centre.co.uk
Contact UsArticle Published: March 06, 2015 17:07
Article Updated: March 09, 2015 9:15
Tagged with: Youth News