What is the MCA National Youth Squad?
The Mirror Association Youth squad has been formed for Mirror sailors aged 15 to 19 years old,
The Squad is open to all qualifying sailors (see below) and we expect several of the sailors to be coming from National and Zone squads who want to continue enjoying the challenge of Mirror racing.
The Squad has been hugely successful in producing winners including Anna McKenzie and Holly Scott the current World Champions. The 2005/06 squad is listed at the bottom of this page and you will recognise many of the names as being the top UK Mirror sailors.
Previously sponsored by Amey a leading Support Services company the squad is currently un-funded.
What do the Squad do?
With the 2009 World Championships in Pwellheli and GBR at the top of International Mirror Sailing following their win in South Africa in 2007 the Squad will have a specific 2009 target and an objective to retain the titles.
The squad will therefore enjoy 6 top quality coaching sessions in the 2007/8 season building towards Pwellheli 2009 and improving each person’s personal performance.
Participants will be expected to commit themselves to training and goal setting consumerate with their age group. Accordingly these will be tougher than those within the Junior age groups and in line with those being exhibited by Youth Squads such as the 420 and 29er.
It is recognized that the social side of training events is very important and squad members will be given time to socialize at training events.
Where do the Squad train?
The training events for 2007/8 have been organised around the country but with a core focus of Pwellheli. In 2007/8 the 6 sessions are at Pwellheli, Draycote Water and Hayling Island
On two of the events the Squad will come together with the National Junior Squad to provide racing and boat tuning opportunities
How can I join?
To join you have to be in the age range 15 to 19 and have competed in at least 3 major events in 2007. Major events are classed as any of the Nationwide Series, Nationals or World Championships.
You will have to complete an application form, send it to the Mirror Class Association for consideration.
You will be notified within two weeks from receipt of your application if you have been accepted into the squad or accepted with conditions or if your application has been rejected.
In the event of conditional acceptance or rejection you will be given clear reasons why such a decision has been reached. The decision of the MCA is final.
Code of Conduct and Commitment. With ambitious targets and objectives for the Youth Squad, members will be expected to sign up to a code of conduct and commitment prior to joining. The code of conduct and commitment is there to enable the coaches to maximise the benefits of their time with the Squad while making events fun and enjoyable for everyone.
