October 26, 2023
2 minutes reading time
Five international candidates complete 2023 World Sailing Training Scholarship
After seven weeks at the Andrew Simpson Centre at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, five candidates have successfully completed the World Sailing Training Scholarship and will now return home to implement their training within projects in their respective countries.
Candidates came from all corners of the sailing world and brought with them a vast range of experience. The programme incorporated courses and workshops run by World Sailing Coach Developers and Staff, covering a range of skills, expertise and knowledge about on- and off-water topics.
Across the seven weeks, the candidates built a project that would be used to develop sailing in their home nation. The projects combined the learnings from the different course modules and their experience as sailing leaders.
Sessions explaining Anti-Doping and Safeguarding procedures and obligations, Sailing Programmes for Women and Girls, Wingboarding, Catamarans and how to run a sailing centre were delivered alongside the Technical Courses for Coaches Level 1, 2 and 3, giving a fully-rounded view of the sailing landscape.
The Class of 2023:
- Hamisi Muhamed Muhidini, Tanzania national team coach – Aims to increase the number of Tanzanian Sailing Coaches and develop a sailing pathway to compete internationally.
- Mireia Monné Dominguez Activities Manager at the Andorran Sailing Federation – Is creating Andorra Navega, a training program for youth sailors in Andorra.
- Rose-Lee Numa, Olympian and Pacific Games medallist – Plans to establish a National Sailing Framework for Papua New Guinea. The framework will continue to grow the number of sailors in PNG by offering structure sailing program with an increasing number of instructors and coaches as well as developing a local race management team to boost national competition.
- Ricardo de Castro Paranhos, International sailor from Brazil – Working to create a new pathway for young sailors in Brazil to offer new opportunities to sailors and also reduce the drop out of sailors. A new program for learning to sail will hope to widen the range of equipment new sailors experience and show them sailing has something for everyone.
- Marcus Sweeney, boatbuilder, sailor and coach from St Lucia – Aims to develop a St Lucia Sailing Academy, offering pathways for people to learn to sail, compete and sail recreationally, exploring the maritime career opportunities available too.
Catherine Duncan, World Sailing Training & Development Executive, said, “It was incredible to see the scholarship back in action again and the range of projects that developed from the candidates was outstanding.
“Each person developed their own plan based on needs they have identified for their Member National Authority (MNA) and their own experience. I hope the attendees now feel equipped put their projects into action and help to develop sailing programs around the world. World Sailing will continue to support each candidate wherever possible in order to help them succeed. I would like to thank the Andrew Simpson Centre for hosting us this year, and we look forward to helping more sailors develop their skills to grow the sport next year.”
The World Sailing Training Scholarship is supported by National Olympic Committees and Olympic Solidarity, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) global development initiative.
MNA’s interested in finding out more can visit the World Sailing Training Scholarship page on the World Sailing website.