Nicola Stockdale and Ciaran Handforth
Tall Ships Youth Trust October 2018
Tall Ships Youth Trust October 2018
There’s less than two weeks remaining for RYA OnBoard sailing clubs and training centres to nominate their young sailors and windsurfers for the 2019 Panerai Challenger Trophy (PCT).
The joint initiative between Italian high-end watchmaker, Panerai and RYA OnBoard, aims to promote the power of sailing in positively impacting young people’s lives, awarding funding grants to young individuals that have overcome physical, economic or social challenges to achieve significant milestones in their sailing or windsurfing.
One year on
18-year-old Nicola Stockdale, was crowned the overall winner of the inaugural trophy in 2018. Having lost her father in 2014, Nicola focussed on her sailing, developing her teaching skills, volunteering as an instructor and devoting more than 500 hours to her local club, Debdale Outdoor Activity Centre (DOAC).
“Winning the Panerai Challenger Trophy was just the most amazing experience and such a confidence builder. It’s opened so many doors, I’ve met so many people at all the events, and the grant money has meant I can now get the qualifications I need, whereas before I probably wouldn’t have been able to pay for them,” explains Nicola.
Alongside Nicola, three further finalists were also awarded grants. For Ciaran Handforth, who suffers from epilepsy, the grant has widened his sailing experience and opened doors to a potential career in the marine industry. Last autumn, the 13-year-old joined Nicola for four days on the Solent with the Tall Ships Youth Trust, completing his RYA Start Sailing qualification.
Ciaran commented: “The award has enabled me to gain experiences at a quicker rate than would have been possible before. I like the big boat stuff because voyages are over a distance and days away mean meeting new people and learning new skills. Progressions through RYA qualifications could be my university.”
Bea Sparks and Dan O’Connor have used their grants to buy new equipment, with Dan now the proud owner of a new Topper. He commented: “I felt more confident because it belonged to me”.
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