Plym Yacht Club Cadets get OnBoard!
Following the accreditation as an RYA Recognised Training Centre (RTC) for Dinghies and Powerboats at the start of 2021, Plym YC Cadets has quickly followed it up with recognition as an RYA OnBoard Centre.
What does this mean for the club, the Cadets and the local community?
I think it is important at this stage to recognise that the ethos of the Cadets matches almost perfectly that of the RYA OnBoard programme; to get young children into the sport and retain them, as well as giving them life-skills for the future. We fit right in.
I’m sure that for many of you, whilst having some idea and understanding of what it means to be an RTC, OnBoard still has that air of mystery about it. So perhaps we ought to begin by saying what OnBoard is.
OnBoard is the RYA’s grassroots programme to get young people aged 8-18 into sailing and windsurfing, and since 2005 has introduced 750,000 young people to sailing. This figure is well on target to hit 1,000,000 soon.
Having undergone an exciting relaunch in 2017, drawing on research which emphasised the broader learning benefits of sailing, that is what we will be promoting through our activities. Sailing offers a fantastic way to learn a new activity, have fun, make new friends and learn exciting and valuable skills that will help cadets both now and in the future. Many of those taking part find that OnBoard helps to boost their confidence, increases independence and teaches important communication and leadership skills while encouraging both teamwork and creativity.
All clubs that run the programme are recognised RYA Training Centres, so parents know that cadets will receive the highest standards of instruction in a safe, secure and relaxed environment. Does it replace the Youth Scheme? It enhances it!
For the instructors and support staff there is access to continued support from the RYA Regional Development Officer and Sport Development Team through resources and training.
See these RYA videos to find out more about RYA OnBoard and some of the benefits:-
Malcolm Wood (Plym YC Cadet Principal)