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2024/2025 -Starling Girls Accelerator Programme

Female sailors under 18 are invited to apply for Yachting New Zealand's new Starling Girls Accelerator programme, an initiative to fast-track a select group of sailors' development through the single-handed dinghy class and into the Aon National Youth Programme.

The 12-month programme will see up to 12 young female Starling sailors develop their skills and knowledge through a series of on-water clinics and online sessions with the goal of:

Developing skills and expertise to race faster and smarter.
Upskill in cross-disciplines.
Fun.

The programme will be led by Yachting New Zealand's women's sailing manager Jenny Armstrong and supported by NZL Sailing Team members, Yachting New Zealand coaches, Starling class experts and High Performance Sport New Zealand (HPSNZ) support staff.

This programme will include intensive on-water clinics, coaching support at key regattas, online workshops and individual check-ins.

Outcomes

- Sailors moving into the AON national youth programme.

- 2025 Starling national championships – female sailor in the top 10.

	Delivery	Regattas / Locations	Content
May 18-19, 2024	Two-day on-water clinic (plus sleepover)	Royal Akarana Yacht Club	Define purpose and agreed squad culture. Goal setting and planning. Fitness testing. Starling set-up and tuning. Pre-brief/debrief routine.
June 2024	Online workshop	Online	Start routines.
July 2024	Online/phone check-in	Online	Check in on goals.
August 2024	Online workshop	Online	Callbooks.
September 28-29, 2024	Two-day on-water clinic	TBC	Boat-handling, tuning, trimming, hiking How controls affect sail shape. Starting. Fitness retesting.
October 2024	Online workshop	Online	Nutrition
November 30-December 1, 2024	On-water coaching	Sir Peter Blake Regatta	Individual pre-brief and debrief. Squad briefings at regatta.
December 9-10, 2024	Two-day on-water clinic	TBC	Starting and first beat tactics. Fitness retesting.
January 2025	Online/phone check-in	Online	Progress update. Reassess goals.
February 2025	Online workshop	Online	Performance under pressure.
March 2025	On-water coaching	Auckland Girls Regatta	Individual pre-brief and debrief. Squad briefings at regatta.
March 29-30, 2025	Two days on water	Howick	Pre-nationals clinic. Venue prep.
April 17-21, 2025	On-water coaching	2025 Starling national championships	Individual pre-brief and debrief. Squad briefings at regatta.
May 2025	Assessment of programme		Assist sailors with next season's plans.

How do you get involved?

Sailors need to apply and commit to the programme.

Cost - $400 per person (to be paid once accepted).

Contact Jenny Armstrong at jenny@yachtingnz.org.nz or on 020 4115 4428 with any questions or for more information.