Did you know that there is a generation of youth WA sailors that will never have the financial advantage or host club advantage?!
WA sports people especially youth sportsmen and women are at a distinct disadvantage not only for the great financial costs of interstate travel but also by the fact we can’t sail in our own boats and in our home club sailing environment.
I don’t know about you but I love my boat, because I know her, she is called ‘In the Zone’ I’ve had her for a year. I know what parts are new and needing attention there are no surprises with her. But let’s go back to the purpose of this campaign.
I was looking forward to my first Optimist championships in my hometown in WA in January 2021 however due to the COVID-19 pandemic this event was cancelled. This was when I was aging out of Optimist anyway, and while I was disappointed I decided to transitioned to ILCA 4 (Laser 4.7) in 2021 ready for the Australian Laser Championships being hosted in WA in 2022. Again postponed indefinitely in WA.
Sigh
What this means is, the usual annual rotation of hosting these national level championships in the different states of NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, and WA has now been missed for 10 years for WA sailors!
Why I need your help:
Therefore, I need your help. The costs of travelling to the Australian Laser Championships in 2023 in NSW from WA are well over $5,000.
So why support me?
My recent results are:
- First for the Winter Huck Scott Series
For the 21/22 Summer season (before I broke my arm) I placed:
– First in the youth state championships Sept 2021
– 2nd for Sail Freo Oct 2021
– First for the International Class Regatta and Dec 2021 and
– First for the Goolangatup Sailing Carnival Jan 2022
The costs of travelling to compete in sailing includes:
- Chartering a boat for me to sail in NSW or transporting a boat
- Flights for one parent and I to travel to and from NSW (I’m under 18 so I need to travel with a parent or guardian)
- Accommodation during the championship
- Access to a coach for my first Nationals competition
These costs do not include:
- Living costs for the trip such as food and local car travel
- Gear damage costs that may occur during the competition
- Registration fee to attend the competition
- Sailing membership fees
- Club sailing coaching fees
- My existing boat maintenance
- Sailing gear such as compass, sails, wetsuit gear
I am supported by a single parent that pays for everything for my sailing on just one income. Although we have had some support along the way from people we know such as my Nanna and her husband, friends at the yacht club and Monkeyfist. I have never asked for help on this scale. The parent that supports me says, very few people want to give a hand out but are inspired to give a young person a hand up’.
So I am asking you for a hand up. I will begin to work as a part time sailing coach soon but as I am only in Year 10 and don’t have my driver’s licence yet there is limited time for me to work and therefore earn enough to help to contribute to this trip.
While it just doesn’t seem fair that I am of the generation of youth sailors that has missed out on sailing in their home town at a National level championships – remember this is an additional disadvantage having home town knowledge of the conditions of my home club could give me an edge over other competitors. But…
I’m not one to focus on the negative. I would rather look at the situation differently by seeing what the opportunity maybe.
What is the opportunity in this situation for me?
I get to learn to how to fundraise for my sailing career. You see, unfortunately sailing does not attract 7 figure incomes like some leagues in other sports such as soccer or basketball. Therefore financial support is not easy to come by unfortunately in this sport.
Travelling to NSW is what I hope to be just the beginning. I would like to develop a sailing career to take me to championships around Australia but ultimately the world. Despite the pandemic I am not giving up on my dream to be a world standard athlete.
Many sailors inspire me including on the world stage such as in Sail GP and the America’s Cup. But meeting Olympic Gold medalist, Matt Wearn for Lasers (the same type of boat I sail) at my home club last year, made being a world class sailor feel a bit more possible, a bit more real.
Can you help me get to NSW in January 2023 to compete? Every donation helps. I would be incredibly grateful and would be delighted to keep you updated on the progress of my campaign. Step 1 is getting to NSW.
Right now, with the 2022/23 Summer season beginning soon and only about 3 weeks until the WA Youth State championships I am focusing on my training preparations.
Plus it is only 4 months until my Mum and I leave for Sydney for the Australian ‘National’s competition. If you would like to support us to raise the funds to help me to compete in NSW please make your donation via this fundraising page. Here is the link
Every dollar will get me closer to my goal of competing at a National level in January 2023. And if I do well I may have the opportunity to sail at the World’s competition in Greece in July 2023! That experience would be awesome!
Thank you your support is appreciated.
Charles Allen Toyn 