The creation of an official list of Approved Training Centres was finalised at the ISAF Annual Conference in Muscat, Oman, last November.

A process guideline document containing a set of minimum criteria has been developed through the collaboration of the Development and Youth Committee, ISAF Secretariat and representatives from the 24 nations present at the 2014 ISAF Development Symposium, which took place in Cape Town last month.

The main aim of the Approved Training Centres is to encourage and assist in the development of Olympic and Paralympic-level sail training programmes for national sailors and coaches in all ISAF Member National Authorities (MNAs), with the ultimate goal of helping sailors qualify for future Games.

The programme also wants to increase the number of ISAF MNAs regularly participating in international events such as the ISAF World Cup and ISAF World Championships.

The main objective of the Approved Training Centres is to provide better opportunities for sailors from all MNAs to compete at international level ©AFP/Getty Images



MNAs and their National Olympic Committees will be able to refer to the list of Approved Training Centres in applications for International Olympic Committee Olympic Solidarity Scholarships, and the identification of suitable training centres to host sailors and/or coaches for independently funded performance-related sail training programmes.

Sailors and coaches trained at the centres will be supported by their respective MNA to attend World Championships and Sailing World Cup regattas, as well as other national, regional and international regattas, according to the ISAF.

Attendance will also form part of a dedicated training programme in preparation for potential qualification for Olympic and Paralympic Games.

An ISAF-nominated expert will conduct a visit to the training centres that have demonstrated their eligibility via a self-audit form, and once approved they will form part of the official list.

To apply for Approved Training Centre status, training providers must initially provide a written letter of endorsement from an authorised person at their respective MNA along with a letter of intent outlining why the ISAF should consider their application.

The self-audit form and Recognition Process Guidelines document can be requested by emailing [email protected].

For more information of ISAF training programmes, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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