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