A promising 14-year-old Bewl Valley SC sailor has been revealed as one of the first winners of the new RYA Regional Youth Champion awards.
Ross Banham, from Bethersden, was crowned South East RYA Youth Champion at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show on Sunday 2 March and received his award from the British Sailing Team’s 49er European Champion, Dylan Fletcher.
The new awards recognise the outstanding achievement and performance of young people across the range of activities the RYA - boating’s national governing body - represents, including sailing, windsurfing and powerboating.
Ross, who was nominated by his club and selected as a winner by the RYA South East regional committee, had a 2013 to remember.
Having learned to sail at Bewl Valley aged eight, Ross was crowned national champion in the Laser 4.7 dinghy class at the UK National and Open Laser Championships, at Paignton SC in Devon last August.Laser 4.7s are one of the one-person junior dinghy classes supported by the RYA as part of its hugely successful Junior and Youth Racing Programme on the pathway to Olympic classes sailing.
Bethany School pupil Ross has now been selected for the RYA National 4.7 squad for the second year running, having previously been part of the Optimist National squad.
Ross said: “I’m very grateful to my club, Bewl Valley, for nominating me for this award. I have trained at the club since I was eight years old and they have been very supportive of me. I’ve been lucky enough to be in the RYA squad system for five years. I’d like to thank the RYA for giving me this award and making all the training possible.”
Justin Edwards, from Bewl Valley SC, said: “We’ve keenly watched Ross’ progress ever since he learned to sail. He realised his personal goal of becoming National Champion though sheer hard work and dedication. He’s a very good role model for other young sailors at the club and the sport as a whole.”
Dylan Fletcher added: “It was great to meet everyone and to present these inaugural awards. It’s really important to recognise people on every level and these youngsters are all so passionate about their sport and they all put in the extra effort.”
For more information on the RYA Regional Youth Champion Awards visit www.rya.org.uk/go/youthchampion
