JUNIOR EXCHANGE SAILING SCHEME 2010

The Junior Exchange Sailing Scheme (JESS) Tour of Europe provides six young Western Australian sailors the opportunity to sail 420's in the European summer over a six-week period. This year, they leave for Germany on 16 June 2010 and will be  representing Western Australia  while competing in regattas in Germany , Italy and France.  In Germany, they will compete at Kiel (the world's largest sailing regatta with up to 5000 sailors) and also at Warnemünde  Regatta.  In Italy they compete at Riva Del Garda before travelling to compete in the French National Championships (Coupe Nationale) at Brest.

John and Jill Cassidy will accompany the JESS saoilors to Europe. The 2010 team comprises of:

Thomas Ainge MOFSC
Jame Clark MBSC
Sam Monkhouse SOPYC
Josh Monkhouse SOPYC
Tim Rossiter MBSC
Casey Skinner SOPYC

HISTORY
The concept of the JESS program belongs to Malcolm (Huck) Scott, a silver medallist in the Melbourne Olympic Games where he sailed with Rolly Tasker. After Huck gave up competitive sailing, he took up coaching and dedicated 20 years to the advancement of junior sailing. He led many junior teams to compete interstate and overseas and during these experiences he identified the need for young sailors to be exposed to international competition.

Thus the JESS program was born - a team of 6 young sailors under the guidance of a coach and manager prepare and undertake an annual regatta tour overseas. He wanted the experience for the sailors to be whole and rounded. They should train to improve their sailing they should be physically fit they should take a role in the planning of the entire project from insurances, uniforms, air travel arrangements, trophies and they should help raise the funds to contribute towards the cost of the venture.

The first team undertook a three month overseas regatta tour in 1988 visiting the UK and five European countries including one still under Communist control. Since then, 17 teams, a total of 96 boys and girls have participated in this unique programme, which is the initiative of the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club . The selection process is designed to ensure that those accepted into the team have demonstrated they are worthy, compatible, are of exemplary character and, importantly, are committed to the whole programme. The opportunity to participate is open to all young sailors, boys and girls, from any club in Western Australia . The costs must be met by fundraising so that any eligible sailor has the opportunity to apply to participate in the scheme regardless of their financial background.

CONTACT
Further information on JESS may be obtained from RFBYC on 9384 9100.