Stockton's Kids Sail Into Future
A ten-year plan to develop Olympic-standard watersports skills in Stockton’s youngsters has been created by Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre (managed by Tees Active) and Stockton Borough Council, funded through the Single Regeneration Budget.
The scheme has targeted people aged eight to eighteen from under-privileged areas of Stockton-on-Tees and is aiming for seven hundred participants a year. Participants are carefully selected through local sports colleges, schools and community groups.
Places are free with additional grants to cover costs provided by a variety of organisations, the most recent being from the Royal Yachting Association (R.Y.A.), Sport England Community Sports Coach Scheme and Sport England.
The scheme, named ‘The Community Watersports Development Project’ is intended to offer opportunities to begin sailing and kayaking and indeed develop skills through world-class coaching, all FOR FREE.
Participants will be trained in sailing and kayaking at Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre with the chance to gain nationally recognised R.Y.A. certificates. Those showing talent and commitment will be offered the opportunity to develop their skills and participate in major competitions.
Manager of Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre and watersports coach Bob Bond said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for youngsters to learn a new skill and maybe even begin a rewarding career.”
Author of many R.Y.A. training programmes, Bob Bond believes this also offers the chance to identify and generate Olympic-winning sports stars: “The venture’s ultimate goal is to coach local people up to Olympic standard.”
For further information on this scheme and other watersports activities available at Castlegate Quay Watersports Centre, please call (01642) 528 689.