UK Sport

• You are here:
• Media Centre
• News

People development programme supporting world class events

Subscribe

Jessica Whitehorn 14 September 2009

As the RYA’s Skandia Sail For Gold Regatta begins at the Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy today, Competition Manager David Campbell-James will be drawing on knowledge and experience gained through attending UK Sport’s Event Managers Programme, to deliver a world class sailing event.

Several members of the RYA’s competition team have benefited from the people development programme run by UK Sport’s major events team since it began in 2007. The first delegate from the sport was Campbell-James’ predecessor Rob Andrews, who has since taken on the role of Sailing Competition Manger for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Having staged no major events in the UK prior to 2005, the RYA identified a need to develop their domestic competition programme, particularly once the 2012 Games were secured for London. The Skandia Sail for Gold Regatta 2009 is the 10th event hosted by RYA that has been supported by UK Sport’s National Lottery funded World Class Events Programme since 2005. The events have been varied and staged at all of the RYA’s centres around the UK.

Sail For Gold 2009 marks a change of emphasis for the RYA. Having mastered the delivery of high level of competition on the water, they are now concentrating on attracting more spectators to the sport through the off the water activity.

The 2009 event, starting today at the venue that will stage the sailing competition in 2012 and concluding on Saturday, will include a main stage to allow pre and post-race interviews with top athletes, a large screen showing live action footage and various retail outlets. All boats have been fitted with tracking systems to ensure graphics on the screen can clearly demonstrate the progress of each boat throughout the series of races. An education programme for non sailors will also be on the shore to include information on the race formats for the Olympic and Paralmypic Games and the chance for children to try out sailing close to the shore in small boats.

The Event Manager’s programme, delivered by UK Sport, has supported the RYA in their desire to deliver a spectator experience as opposed to simply a competition, through knowledge transfer from other sports’ major events.

David Campbell-James explained: “The expertise I have been exposed to via UK Sport’s Event Managers programme has been fundamental to delivering this event for sailing. From discussions with other sports over contractors and learning about accreditation systems and opportunities for outdoor temporary builds, to consulting on ideas for the marketing of events, it has been extremely beneficial.”

Olivia Risk, the RYA’s Competition Administrator, said: “The Event Managers workshop in September 2008 was held at the Junior World Beach Volleyball Championships in Brighton. This was a new major event to UK, staged in a coastal setting with similarities to a sailing event, which made this a valuable and insightful experience for us when it came to planning our own events.”

Skandia Sail For Gold 2009 will include 700 competitors in 500 boats, 158 coaches and 230 volunteers. The RYA is targeting 1000 spectators over the weekend. Tickets can be obtained to attend the spectator day free of charge at www.skandiasailforgoldregatta.co.uk

UK Sport is supporting the 2009 Skandia Sail For Gold Regatta with up to £225,000 from its National Lottery funded World Class Events Programme, which will invest around £16 million in bringing strategically important sporting events to the UK between now and 2012.

Back to news listing

Most Viewed