Mersey youngsters could set sail for the Olympics
Apr 14 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post
The opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens _240
MERSEYSIDE youngsters could be sailing their way to glory at the 2012 Olympic Games.
That’s the hope of organisers of a sailing scheme hoping to “take the snotty out of yachty”.
Inner City Sailing is a unique ambitious scheme which hopes to teach 500 children from schools across Merseyside how to sail.
The project, for children aged eight to 16, is trying to shed the image of sailing as an elite sport and create future Olympians.
After completing the one-day course, five children will be offered scholarships to advance their skills through the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).
They might then go on to compete in national and international competitions with the older teenagers able to try for the 2012 Olympics.
Speaking at the launch at Merseysport, Liverpool’s Queens Dock, founder Ken Metcalf said the city had every chance of training top-class sailors of the future.
He said: “On the trial last year, one nine-year-old boy said to me he never thought he’d be able to sail a boat on his own, he was so excited he couldn’t breathe.
“Children don’t know the docks are here. When I was six, my grandfather used to bring me down here when it was a world-class shipping corridor to see all the activity.
“It’s my belief we can produce a core of truly competent young people who can go on through the RYA and maybe compete in the 2012 Olympics.
“I’ve heard lots of excuses why it can’t be done – we don’t have the right facilities, we don't have the best trainers, don’t have the right weather, or even that we haven’t got the right sort of water. But this is the right thing to do and it can be done.”
Ken’s property business, 7BestInvest, is funding the scheme with the help of other businesses including SunSail and Wirral-based Linkdirect.
Louise Ellman, MP for Liverpool Riverside, said it was a great initiative for the people of Merseyside.
She added: “The scheme is all about young people being resourceful, using their initiative and working in a team.
“It’s about young people being able to achieve things they would only have been able to think about.
“I know one young man whose life has been changed through sailing. Before he went on it, he had no real thoughts about sailing.
“But he experienced the sport, learnt new skills and began seeing new possibilities. He experienced freedom and work-ing in a team and now feels he can do other things with his life.
“It’s such a great initiative and taking the snotty out of yachty means more and more people will benefit.”
A number of schools have already signed up, including Croxteth Community Comprehensive, Alsop High School, Walton and De La Salle, Croxteth, who are keen to possibly include sailing within their curricular activities.
Ian Makin, PE teacher at De La Salle School, said: “I think this is a great opportunity to do something different.
“Children are usually only offered sports including football, rugby and basketball, this would widen their thinking and interests.”
He added: “Liverpool’s mari-time history is important and bringing them down to the docks will show them a part of Liverpool some of them have never seen.
“We’re thinking of bringing a group of children from each year and maybe we could com-bine their visit with projects relating to sport and our maritime history.”
* ANYONE who wants to sponsor the scheme or seek out more information can visit www.inner-city-sailing.co.uk
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