Junior Development

Junior Development

The idea of making progress more visible for our younger crew members and to show what we can achieve together at Crawley Mariners (as a follow on from the Rivers of Achievement theme Jan/Feb 2024) generated the Grebe Club.

In essence skills and knowledge from the National Curriculum could be applied to Sailing more openly using the RYA OnBoard initiative but this is not currently enacted at CMYC beyond keeping count of juniors attending (for the first time) and use of the sailing games (e.g., tacking on a whistle).

Skills development is not new, but it is new for a sailing club. The Guides / Scouts have badges for everything they 'teach' ...

https://www.scouts.org.uk/cubs/activity-badges/

https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/our-badges-and-activities/

Even the local garden centre has a Junior section on their website that we can aspire to.

https://www.haskins.co.uk/garden-gang/

If we are looking for future inspiration the above might help.

Class Captains

The concept that juniors wish to demonstrate their abilities to their elders and parents is well known. This is used within the Guide and Scouting Association where juniors that 'know the ropes' are recognised for their ability and given leadership roles where they may be responsible for other younger guides or scouts.

We could easily utilise this within our fleets; Oppies, Toppers and above. It would help build character and confidence within those appointed, give younger ones something to aspire to and reinforce the ability to improve, perhaps to Instructor level.

Model Yachting Association 

CMYC became an Affliliated MYA Club with the desire to use this to demonstrate and teach how to sail while having a bit of fun. The Club, through Donal became registered with a core of six signed up to the MYA to achieve this recognition. 

Having achieved this it would be disappointing not to renew, because the MYA Club Membership requires an Annual Affiliation Renewals. The MYA Affiliation Guidelines (dated 12 March 2024, still valid 09 Sept 2026 on the website https://www.mya-uk.org.uk/kb/mya-club-application-guidance/) state in item 2. Annual Affiliation Renewal:

a. Should the number of MYA members of a MYA affiliated club be 2 or less, then the club shall be deemed to be closed and membership will not be renewed.