Burton Venture Trust youngsters on the water with Manor Park Sailing Club
Burton Venture Trust youngsters on the water with Manor Park Sailing Club

A Kings Bromley sailing group is hoping a partnership will lead to more youngsters taking to the open water.

Manor Park Sailing Club linked up with community children’s charity the Burton Venture Trust (BVT) to allow some of their members to take part in an eight-week training course.

Burton Venture Trust youngsters on the water with Manor Park Sailing Club
Burton Venture Trust youngsters on the water with Manor Park Sailing Club

The sessions were funded by a grant from Sportivate for the 11 to 16-year-olds.

Gary Robertson, lead trainer at Manor Park, said he hoped the course would whet the appetite of the youngsters for sailing.

“We wanted to do something more to reach out to the local community, especially to youngsters who could not get to the club with their own transport,” he said. “This is where BVT came in.

“They have previously canoed where we sail, but last year we did some sail training for their instructors and encouraged them to put some of their youngsters through a proper sailing course. They were keen and this group started at the end of April.

“Now the kids have completed the course, those who are keen have the chance to do two more sessions before they can join in with our Saturday morning junior sailing, which already has around 30 regulars every week. I’m sure we will start getting parents and siblings taking an interest and joining the club too, which will be great.

“We would love to repeat this, and build on the relationship with BVT next season, while in the meantime, we may look at if we can use this Saturday afternoon slot to offer to other local community youth groups.”

The sessions saw the group learning to sail in a variety of boats including single-handers and the club’s Coypu dinghies, which can be sailed by two or three people.

Graham Marshment, BVT trustee, added: “We are very grateful to Manor Park SC and to Keith Hill and Gary Robertson in particular, for the support, encouragement and skills they have given our youngsters. We have experienced strong winds to no winds, but it has been a great experience and a very worthwhile learning experience.”

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