STARCROSS Yacht Club has become one of the first sailing clubs in the country to win an award for its approach to coaching.

The popular sailing club has been awarded the new British Sailing Pathway Club status by the Royal Yachting Association.

A part of the RYA’s Pathway Review of junior and youth sailing, the Pathway Club initiative aims to develop and support race coaching at local clubs.

The prestigious accreditation is for ‘inspiring junior racers to have fun, develop great fundamentals, and embrace a lifelong love of racing’.

The RYA, sailing’s national governing body, is rolling out the new Pathway Club initiative at selected clubs through the country, as part of supporting young sailors to develop their racing skills.

Starcross has a highly successful Junior and Youth section, with more than 50 young sailors regularly sailing on Friday evenings through the summer.

The club also has a year-round program of race coaching, sailing and other fun events for juniors, including the well-known Junior Regatta which runs in August, and draws visitors from throughout the south west.

As well as focusing on fun and learning to sail in a friendly, sociable and supportive environment, the club encourages development of racing skills.

This award recognises the quality of Starcross’ offering, and the support and resource that the RYA will be able to provide will enable the club to develop further over the coming year.

Robin Charles, Commodore said: ‘I’m delighted the club has been recognised in this way.

‘We have a thriving junior and youth section, with many of our sailors going on to compete successfully regionally and nationally.

‘We want to support and encourage the next generation coming through to develop their racing skills, and this will help us do that.

‘Nothing will change the focus on fun, learning to sail and seamanship that we have always provided; this enables us to offer something different as well.’