World Sailing Training Scholarship returns after three-year hiatus

Supported by National Olympic Committees and Olympic Solidarity, the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) global development initiative, each candidate – selected by their Member National Authority (MNA) – will attend a seven-week residential program in Weymouth, UK. During this time, they will complete World Sailing’s Technical Courses for Coaches Level 1, 2 and 3 as well as modules in Developing Para Sailing, Windsurfing, Keelboats and practical courses such as first aid and anti-doping education.

This year’s attendees feature eight male coaches and one female coach, and represent Barbados, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Peru and Slovakia.

Whilst completing the program, coaches will be able to choose a project in an area they wish to work on with their MNA in line with national development goals. Candidates are then encouraged to present the project to their National Olympic Committee upon their return.

Koray Ezer, World Sailing’s Head of International Development, said, “We are thrilled to see the return of the scholarship after a three-year break. The scholarship is so important in developing coaches and staff within MNA’s and provides an invaluable insight into World Sailing for attendees. Candidates are taught every aspect of how to manage a nationally-recognised sailing training program which will aid the growth of the MNA and contribute to the global development of sailing.”

Rob Holden, World Sailing’s Training Delivery Manager, added, “It’s great to have so many key people from a broad range of MNA’s here and ready to start the program. We had fantastic interest from our members from around the world and now can’t wait to get underway after such a long break. Over the next seven weeks, attendees will develop their skills through the modules and create a network of friends across the world of sailing that they will continue to work with and learn from in the years to come.”

Mohamed Gamal of the Egypt Sailing Federation, one of this year’s candidates, said, “I hope to put into practice programmes to increase the number of sailors and the number of coaches in Egypt using World Sailing’s guidance. We would like to expand the number of Olympic Class programs in Egypt to create new opportunities for people to sail and to coach. Egypt also has plans to encourage more women to start sailing, and to be able to welcome new female sailors and teach them professionally will benefit our national programme. These are the most important targets for me from the Training Scholarship Program and for the future of sailing in Egypt.”

MNA’s interested in finding out more can visit the World Sailing Training Scholarship page on the World Sailing website.