Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron LION FOUNDATION Youth Training Programme

Since 1987

The Youth Training Programme was born out of the 1986-87 America's Cup in Perth.  This spectacle lifted the sport in New Zealand to a new plane of professionalism and commitment. 

It became apparent during the Perth campaign that whilst our top sailors were highly competitive on the international secene, there was very limited activity in the training and preparation of young people to follow in the footsetps of these elite sailors.

The programme was then formed with two purposed in mind:

1. Firstly to give young people with limited sailing experience the opportunity to receive intensive theoretical and practical instruction in the various aspects of competitve keelboat racing.

2. To take young people with obvious ability to a higher level of skill in a disciplined envoironment. 

BOATS The programme owns and operates ten elliott 6m light displacement keelboats which are sailed with teams of three (helm, main, bow) and for the Women's events they are sailed with crews of four.  These boats are supported by two high speed chaseboat's.

Applications & Selection

CRITERIA Candidates must be between the ages of 16 - 21, must have previous yachting experience and portray a genuine committment to intensive keelboat racing.

Each applicant is considered on merit from information supplied with the application and then at an interview with our coaching staff.

HOW TO APPLY Candidates may apply at any time to join the Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme.  An application form can be dowloaded (below).

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION FORM HERE.

FEE'S AND MEMBERSHIP Please contat our coaching staff for the current fee scheduled.  In additional to the annual coaching fees, each applicant is required to become a Junior Member of the Squadron this is processed by the coaching staff and costs around $62.

COMPETITONS Each season the youth programme committee supports youth teams to attend various fleet & match racing regatta’s both nationally and internationally.

GRADUATION At the end of each season programme members may graduate or re-apply for a following successive training year.

SCHEDULE & FORMAT For futher information on the schedule and format of racing please click here for the programme details page.

FUNDING & SPONSORSHIP  The programme operates on sponsorship funding, donations and programme fees.  Each boat has an individual sponsor who advertises on the boat.  Please contact our coaching staff if you are interested in sponsoring the youth programme.

SUMMARY  There is no doubt that the Youth Programme is unique and very special by world standards and has a great deal to contribute in human terms and in the competitve achievements of the sailors both at present and in the future.

For further information please contact the Training Manager.

Guy Pilkington 

Training Manager

RNZYS Lion Foundation Youth Training Programme

P.O.Box 46 182, Herne Bay, AUCKLAND

Phone 360 6811

Fax 360 6816

Mobile 0274 918 962

Email gpilkington@rnzys.org.nz

Boating New Zealand Magazine - Boat 10. Photo: RNZYS Media

Youth Training Programme Match Racing  Photo: RNZYS Media

Boating New Zealand Magazine - Boat 10. Photo: RNZYS Media

Silke Hahlbrock racing in the Elliott 6's Photo: RNZYS Media