Sailing has been a sport supported by TASS since the Scheme’s inaugration in 2004, with many of the RYA’s World Class Performance Squad having been supported by TASS at some point in their journey. This figure currently stands at 38% and includes Olympic Gold Medallist Pippa Wilson.
As with any partnership TASS and the RYA have faced a number of challenges including the engagement of the athletes, and the change to the TASS Hub Network.
Over the past two years the RYA have formed a great working relationship with TASS Hub University of Southampton which resulted in a successful Enhancement Project bid.
The enhancement fund was set up to help facilitate one of our headline objectives: To enhance the extent and quality of partnership working between NGB’s and the further and higher education sectors.
Hub Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach for Southampton Chris Szedlak collaborated with the RYA’s Adrian Campbell who heads up the RYA’s youth sport science programme. Chris and Ade focused on training to develop the overall S&C delivery for the youth and development squads for the RYA.
Initially the project looked to developed class specific S&C delivery philosophies. There are a number of different classes in sailing and athletes needs will differ per class. Chris discussed the best course of action with the RYA technical coaches for the individual classes of 49er, 470, Laser/Laser Radial and RS-X, and a detailed needs analysis was presented in a video based format. This analysis contained video footage from current World Class Performance and TASS sailors alike; was key to understanding the physical and physiological demands of the sport.
As a result of the needs analysis, a class specific S&C exercises pool was created and videoed with overall input on exercises selection and competencies from the Lead RYA S&C Coach, Steve Gent and Adrain Campbell. Additional analysis included flexibility exercises and physiological demands.
The end product created was an easy to understand video introduction to the individual RYA classes which included exercise selection amd inital class specific S&C competencies. This tool was supplied to the TASS S&C community to allow preparation of the development sailor to ensure their smooth transition into the performance squad.
All the videos are available on dartfishtv and act as a guideline in developing tailored S&C programmes for TASS/RYA sailing athletes.
“This is the third year running that TASS has supported the RYA/Southampton Enhancement bid which is testimony to its successful growth as a true partnership. I look forward to the CPD Day where the extent of the S&C Youth Resource Framework and Competencies can be showcased.” Di Lewis, TASS Institutions and Services Manager
After completion of this project, Chris and the team at the RYA have developed a new proposal to include a S&C youth development framewoork which aims to provide a basis of integrating specific sailing competencies within the overall athletic development of the TASS athlete.
“The project has allowed us to develop a detailed and thorough analysis of the Olympic sailing classes that allows external/remote S&C coaches to understand sailing physiology and train our sailors to the specific demands on the sport. Without the work Chris has put in; we would be two years behind in our S&C delivery to our talented youth sailors. We would also lack a network of knowledge transfer to the remote S&C coaches. To put it simply; the TASS enhancement fund has accelerated athlete development in S&C and sailing performance, which has given GBR youth and Olympic class sailors greater success on the international stage” Adrian Campbell, Physiologist, The RYA
One of young athletes that will benefit as a result of the Enhancement Project is new RS:X Youth World U17 Champion, Noelle Finch. Noelle has joined the TASS scheme this year and is based at the Bath Hub and will have direct coaching from Chris. It has been a good season for Noelle having also picked up the European U17 title in September.
“After winning the U17 European title, my goal for the Worlds was to finish in the top 50% of the fleet, so to win, I felt ecstatic! Having this event later on in the year has helped me to create some clear goals for winter training, so I am ready for next year.” Noelle Finch, Bath Hub
Noelle is one of many TASS Sailors who have won European and World titles. During 2011 8 2010-11 athletes and 23 2011-12 athletes have won medals on the European and World stage. Six of those who were on the scheme 2010-11 are now receiving World Class Performance funding via UKSport, with four others becoming official training partners for the Olympic Development Squad.
