Sailing Through a Dual Career

The term 'dual career' can refer to an array of different forms of education and work that an individual is involved in alongside their sailing career, for example:

• Sailing in a Junior class and doing GCSEs
• Sailing in a Youth class and doing GCSEs, Further Education, or an apprenticeship
• Sailing at BUCS or club competitions and studying Higher Education
• Sailing in an Olympic class and studying at High Education
• Sailing in an Olympic class and working full or part-time
• Sailing in an Olympic class and taking a distance learning course

We at British Sailing are committed to supporting sailors in a dual career and we have conducted some research to support both sailors and parents.

A 'go-to' guide has been produced, which has been designed to be used electronically. It's a document you can pick up every now and then, not necessarily to read all in one go!

The guide can be found in the table above (click on the title of the document). In addition to this, we have provided a guide of universities and what they can offer to help you with your sailing (this research has been conducted directly with the Universities). The University Options document can also be found in the table above.

Please note that the 'Sailing Through a Dual Career' Guide, and Sailor University Options will be reviewed and updated periodically. Any changes will be listed in the above table.

Fancy just an overall view of each area covered in the guide? - We've got this covered! Please look in the table below at three infographics in each area (click on the link of the title):

Local Funding

Whilst other sources of funding are sporadic and often geographically diverse there are a couple of routes which you may wish to try sourcing funding locally.

Approach your local education authority or local council Sport Development Department, they may have schemes or can informally help and support talented performers. Do not just ask for cash, often they can offer free bus passes, gym membership, etc. which can save on costs. They are also the most likely source of information and local contacts for marrying up athletes in their area and grant opportunities.

Consider an approach to your Sailing Club - many club committees and members like the opportunity to support the aspirations of young sailors and will support their endeavours. Write a letter to the club committee outlining your plans and ask what support can be offered, some offer honorary membership when sailors achieve a certain standard.

Approach your school; school governors or Parents Teacher Association (PTA). Some schools may be able to offer a 'gifted and talented' scholarship scheme to support the endeavours of their pupils.

SportsAid

SportsAid is a charity helping young, unfunded athletes to overcome one of their greatest barriers to success - the financial challenge of trying to become Britain's next generation of Olympians and World Champions. The charity helps over 1,000 athletes across more than 60 sports each year, the majority aged 12 to 18, by providing them with an average award of £1,000.

SportsAid is also responsible for the Government-backed Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), helping talented sports people balance academic life and performance sport (please see below for further information on TASS).

Nominations and eligibility

This is focused on; Transition programme (from Youth to Olympic Classes) and then on to the British Youth Sailing Team. If there are not enough places for all British Youth Sailing Team sailors, this will go by Youth Squad ranking at the time of nominations.

We receive a limited number of places, which changes annually.

Sailors are typically aged 18 and meet the following principles:

• Live and train in Great Britain, during the year of nomination sailors must not have represented any other nation at international events
• Normally be in a Transition programme (Youth to Olympic) or British Youth Sailing Team and must be committed to the RYA pathway programme (see nominations and eligibility)
• Not on UK Sport funding

Level of support

Grant values are approximately £1000 each, but some may be slightly less or occasionally enhanced by local partnerships or additional SportsAid support. If a nominated sailor is not successful in receiving an award, this is no reflection on their performance.

Sailors and parents are also invited to workshops (online and in person) to develop the professional skills needed to be successful in the sport.  Typical workshops include:

• Performance Nutrition
• Mental Wellbeing
• Sleep
• Performance Lifestyle Management

As the award is not just financial, nominated sailors must attend invited workshops where possible.

Length of award

Annual (paid the following year of the nomination). Please note that being nominated one year does not guarantee you will be nominated the following year.

Most SportsAid recipients will only receive an award for one year.

Nomination process

Nominations are normally made in November / December annually based on the principles of the current year. All nominated sailors will be contacted by email in advance. Nominated sailors will need to complete an online profile using the SportsAid Portal. SportsAid will use the information you provide on the online portal to approach partners. SportsAid works with several commercial organisations and charitable trusts across the UK that are interested in supporting young talented athletes and providing them with much-deserved recognition.

Successful sailors will be notified via email by SportsAid the following year of nomination if they are able to source an award. This is normally between February and August. All those nominated do not necessarily receive the financial award on the same date. It is important to remember that not receiving a SportsAid award is not a reflection of your performance.

Find out more about SportsAid

TASS - Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

TASS is an athlete support programme to help balance the demands of their sport and education or work.

Backed by Sport England, the TASS partnerships brings together student-athletes, sports, and education institutions to support our country's most exciting young talents who are not already supported via the Olympic pathway. It aims to identify and support potential Olympic medal winners of the future.

Sailing has moved to a hub model that provides sailing-specific sport science support, at the following Universities:

• University of Exeter
• University of Southampton
• Bournemouth University
• University of Portsmouth

Hubs are identified and selected based on the number of sailors studying and living within proximity to the site. We have also built a relationship with the sports science team at these hubs, which ensures support is aligned and specifically designed to support sailors. Sailors will benefit from the following services:

• Lifestyle
• Physiotherapy
• Strength and conditioning
• Nutrition
• TASS Medical Scheme and Bupa Healthy Minds

TASS and Sailing Eligibility

Places are nominated and prioritised in line with their sailing level, as outlined below:

1. Transition Programme (from Youth to Olympic Classes)
2. Remaining places allocated to the British Youth Sailing Team (by ranking)

In addition to the sailing level, as mentioned above, sailors are also considered for nomination based on their proximity to the nearest TASS sailing hub.

Sailors are reviewed quarterly through the RYA TASS Lead, Programme Managers, RYA Coaches and TASS Delivery Site to ensure the nominated sailors engage with the service and are still committed to the RYA pathway programme.

Sailors on TASS will be reviewed considering the following areas:

1. Class/programme outcome event
2. Sailors will need to be selected into a programme listed above (see eligibility no 1-2)
3. Progression, performance, and behaviours, with feedback from coaches and support staff at the TASS delivery site
4. Engagement with the TASS delivery site

If the sailor continues not to meet the required standard of engagement, they will be removed from TASS at the next review point and will receive notification of removal by email.

Nomination process

Please note that sailors do not nominate themselves; British Sailing considers the eligibility to assess who is suitable for TASS, based on the above eligibility and their proximity to one of the above-named TASS Delivery Sites. The sailor must be in one of the programmes listed above, and nominations are done in the order of 1-2. Sailors will be notified by email if they are to be nominated for TASS.

If you are not in a Transition programme, or British Youth Sailing Team, we will not be able to consider you. There are many Colleges and Universities that are TASS Dual Career Accredited, which is different from this specific scholarship. Please speak to the Accredited Site directly.

Contacts

Performance Pathway Officer: Sarah Marjoram - sarah.marjoram@rya.org.uk