Send Ben Sailing

Ben is 11 years old and has been sailing since he was 7 years old. Last year he represented Australia for the first time as a member of the Australian Optimist Development Squad when he sailed in the New Caledonia Optimist National Championships.

Since returning from New Caledonia, Ben has sailed in a variety of different regattas, including:
a) Yachting South Australia Youth Tri-Series. Ben won the series overall.
b) Australian Optimist National Championships sailed at Georges River Sailing Club in NSW. Ben finished 17th Australian and 1st Under 12. Ben is now a member of the Australian Optimist Sailing Team (AOST), and he has qualified to represent Australia in the International Optimist Dinghy sailing in the European Championships in Crotone, Italy in July 2016.
c) SA State Championships sailed at Largs Bay Sailing Club. Ben is now the SA State Champion.

Ben was nominated in the Messenger School Sports Awards in 2015 and in addition to being selected as a monthly winner, he was also selected as a finalist and finished runner up in the Primary School Sports Awards Section.

Ben is currently preparing to attend the Western Australian States which will be held in early March.

Since Ben has been selected to represent Australia in the European Championships, there is an increased level of commitment required. Ben must attend a mandatory training camp for 4 days, and he is also required to attend a variety of other regattas both interstate and overseas.

Ben will be supported by a professional Australian Coach and a Team Manager under the direction of AIODA, the governing body for Australian Optimist Sailors. Some support is provided by Australian Sailing, the body that supports our Australian Olympic Sailing Team to assist with coaching costs, but largely the costs are at the individuals expense.

Given the higher level of commitment, the costs involved in making this opportunity possible have increased. Approximate costings for the trip to Italy come in at a minimum of $8,000 - this includes coaching, charter boat, regatta fees, uniform costs, accommodation, flights etc. As mentioned previously, these costs are at the sailors own expense.

Ben is a good role model for other children his age, because he has shown dedication to a sport, he is a good sportsperson and he positively promotes the sport of sailing to other youth sailors at his local club (Adelaide Sailing Club), and at both local and interstate regattas. Ben is very keen to purse his sailing goals, and the opportunity to represent his country is the culmination of many years of training and effort.

Any offers of support and assistance to make this opportunity possible for Ben will be greatly appreciated.