Datchet Water Sailing Club announced as Flagship Youth Sailing Venue
Published 14:28 on 5 Jun 2025
Datchet Waters credentials as an elite sailing location have been underlined this week with the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) confirming it as one of the four venues which will host its new British Sailing Talent Academies.
Starting this September, Talent Academies will be a network of high-performance environments situated across England for aspiring youth sailors, with Datchet Water Sailing Club, Rutland Sailing Club and the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy joined by Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club, in partnership with Leigh Sports Village, as centres of excellence in youth talent development.
The Talent Academies are part of the RYAs refreshed British Sailing Pathway, designed to support high potential young sailors aged 1318 with quality training, performance coaching and skills development in settings closer to home.
This will help reduce costs and travel time to sailors and their families and broaden access to British Sailing Pathway opportunities in the process.
Each venue will have a team of expert RYA coaches leading their designated youth class.
Were thrilled to welcome Datchet Water Sailing Club as one of our new Talent Academy venues, said RYA Talent Academies Manager Huw Griffiths.
"The club has shown an impressive commitment to elite sailing development, and its facilities, environment and ethos align perfectly with the goals of the programme. Were excited to work with the team to help support and inspire the next generation of high potential youth sailors.
Club Commodore Jeremy Bennett said: We are delighted that Datchet Water Sailing Club has been selected as the British Sailing Talent Academy in the Southeast. It is an honour to welcome these young sailors into our club and support the RYA in developing the next generation of sailing talent.
"We take great pride in our facilities, both on and off the water, and look forward to providing the b est possible environment for these sailors to grow and succeed in the sport."
Sailor development within the Talent Academies will be focused initially on:
- Talent Transition sailors transitioning from junior into youth classes; and
- Performance Development developing sailors with high performance potential already established within a youth class.
For more information on British Sailing Talent Academies and how to get involved visit rya.org.uk/racing/pathway
Last updated 15:00 on 20 June 2025