Innovative Sailing Program Makes A Difference For Disadvantaged ...
Innovative Sailing Program Makes A Difference For Disadvantaged ...
Innovative Sailing Program Makes A Difference For Disadvantaged ...
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<strong>Innovative</strong> <strong>Sailing</strong> <strong>Program</strong> <strong>Makes</strong> A <strong>Difference</strong><br />
<strong>For</strong> <strong>Disadvantaged</strong> Children<br />
A chance meeting between the<br />
Rear Commodore of the Royal<br />
Yacht Club of Victoria and a<br />
teacher from the Olympic<br />
Village Primary School resulted<br />
in a group of 24 students<br />
passing through a sailing<br />
course to deliver extraordinary<br />
results.<br />
The mission was not so much<br />
to teach a bunch of kids to sail,<br />
but to make a difference to<br />
their lives. By any measure the<br />
students at the Charles<br />
LaTrobe College, Olympic<br />
Village Primary School are<br />
highly disadvantaged.<br />
David Seaman, Rear Commodore of the RYCV, took it upon himself to reach<br />
out to a group of children and help them with their personal and life skills.<br />
“We saw an opportunity, where through sailing, we could make a difference to<br />
the lives of these kids,” David said.<br />
8 Palmer Street, South Melbourne, Victoria 3205<br />
T (03) 9690 2171 F (03) 9696 1437 E bca@connexionpr.com.au W www.connexionpr.com.au<br />
Bob Carter + Associates Ltd<br />
ABN 32 006 435 785
The RYCV entered into an arrangement with the school and their teachers.<br />
The club would take 24 Grade 3 and 4 students as selected by the school and<br />
put them through their sailing course. The school would provide<br />
transportation and ensure the children attended all of the 10 half day<br />
sessions.<br />
The RYCV would provide the facilities, yachts and instructors. To provide the<br />
essential funding to run such a program, Nautilus Marine and RYCV members<br />
contributed the cash required, principally for staff wages.<br />
“This wasn’t about teaching kids to sail, but rather to give the kids confidence<br />
and a sense of self worth,” David Seaman said.<br />
“Initially some of the students displayed all the normal shyness and reluctance<br />
to get involved. But once encouraged, they conquered their fears and their<br />
faces lit up with delight as they embraced the opportunity.”<br />
“The introverted kids came out, non swimmers donned their vests and were<br />
soon jumping into the water from the jetty. Kids were working together.”<br />
Within three sessions we had the group of kids out on the water and sailing.<br />
Each of the Optimist boats had two kids on board working as a team<br />
practicing their new sailing skills.<br />
“Our mission was to make a difference and we have certainly achieved this,”<br />
said David Seaman.<br />
“Our instructors feedback is that this course was one of the very best ever<br />
conducted. The enthusiasm of the kids was outstanding.”<br />
Laura Keays, the Olympic Village Primary teacher involved said, “There was<br />
an enormous improvement in the students confidence and ability to form<br />
relationships with one another that continued on once back at school.
This has been an extraordinary program that was an absolute highlight of the<br />
students year. It was incredible to see students that were previously afraid of<br />
the water to work confidently as a team sailing out on the bay.”<br />
The involvement of Nautilus Marine has been vital in making the program<br />
possible. Since the pioneering course has been completed so successfully,<br />
Nautilus Marine as sponsor of the RVYC, has pledged to provide further<br />
funding for future courses.<br />
“As a company Nautilus Marine sponsors a huge variety of causes and<br />
events, but this one has to be the most satisfying,” said Mark Crockford of<br />
Nautilus Marine.<br />
“These are young people in our community who through no fault of their own<br />
find themselves in a very difficult place. This isn’t about training the<br />
yachtsmen of the future, it is all about helping young members of our<br />
community gain a sense of self worth and personal confidence.”<br />
“That’s a cause we are delighted to support.”<br />
With over 125 years of marine insurance expertise between the senior<br />
Nautilus Marine executives, Nautilus Marine is absolutely committed to<br />
providing high levels of customer service, backed by local knowledge.<br />
Nautilus Marine Insurance Agency is a wholly Australian owned insurance<br />
agency that provides insurance programs for boat owners and for the marine<br />
industry. This insurance is issued by Nautilus Marine Insurance Agency Pty<br />
Ltd (ABN 34 100 633 038 AFSL 227186) on behalf of certain underwriters at<br />
Lloyd’s. Nautilus Marine has offices across Australia.
<strong>For</strong> more information contact:<br />
Mark Crockford<br />
Nautilus Marine<br />
28 – 32 George Street<br />
Sandringham VIC 3191<br />
Ph: (03) 8599 5000<br />
Toll free: 1300 780 533<br />
Email: markc@nautilusinsurance.com.au<br />
Web: www.nautilusinsurance.com.au