Recognised Training
National Training Programs are an integral part of safe and structured learning experiences for sailors of all ages
Having a National Training Program (NTP) forms an integral part of a sailor development within a MNA, as it allows sailors to experience a nationwide syllabus, run by trained coaches and instructors in a safe and well-maintained environment. The program should enable the training of sailors at all levels, to be delivered in a ’fit for purpose’, structured environment that follows a best practice model.
World Sailing Member National Authorities (MNAs) with an established National Training Programme (NTP) for Sailing can apply for World Sailing Recognised Training. The Recognised Training Accreditation provides a framework against which an NTP (dinghy, multihull, windsurf, kiteboard, keelboat / yacht) can be audited and mapped to international ‘best practice’, ensuring that certain core elements are in place and at a sustainable level.
The audit covers 5 main areas: Sustainability, Safety, Program Content, Program Delivery and Maintaining Performance Standards.
Recognition of an MNA last for 4 years, after which documents are submitted by the MNA for re-approval.
Benefits of Recognised Training Status
1. Funding:
Other than for elite athlete development (Olympics), Government funding for sport development will often only be provided to sports that have an independently recognised sport delivery program. World Sailing provides such recognition. This particularly applies to new and emerging nations.
2. Safety:
Being part of the World Sailing Recognised Training gives potential clients peace of mind that the training will be conducted to an international safety standard.
3. Value of awards:
Recognition implies a high standard of best practice supported using the World Sailing brand. This in turn means that training awards have an international value to those they are awarded to, both students and coaches.
4. Maintenance of high quality standards:
Recognition is a rolling process involving periodic re-assessment thus ensuring continuity of exacting standards.
5. Nominated Experts:
MNAs who hold Recognised Training status have the ability to propose nominated experts to World Sailing. Nominated experts can run World Sailing Technical Courses for Coaches.
The audit process:
Once an application has been submitted from an MNA, World Sailing will assign an inspector to carry out the audit visit.
The visit should take around 3 days (dependent on the size of the country) and the inspector will visit the national MNA headquarters as well as a number of active training venues.
The visit to the MNA headquarters will involve a review of the organisational structure, the management of the program and the methods used to deliver and develop the national training program. The visits to training venues will focus on program delivery, attainment of outcomes and the level of communication with the NTP management. It is not essential that training is seen in progress during the visits to Training Venues, but it is encouraged.
The World Sailing Nominated Inspector will approach the audit with an understanding of, and empathy for, the culture of the country, local customs and the resources available. None of these will adversely affect the ability of an MNA to achieve full World Sailing accreditation of their NTP.
How to Apply:
MNA’s interested in applying for Recognised Training status should read through the Pre-Audit guide available to download below. This provides a lot more detailed information on the process and the systems that are required to be in place.
To request an application form, please email training@sailing.org