VSA Cyclone Pam Laser Appeal
URGENT APPEAL FOR ASSISTANCE
The Vanuatu Sailing Associaition (VSA), and our very active program to introduce as many Ni Vanuatu to the sport of sailing as possible, is managed by a few volunteer members from the expat community, who use their own resources and time to fund all of our training activities.
After RS Sailing Vanuatu made five new RS Tera craft available to us in October 2014 the VSA introduced free weekly and school holiday sailing programs for indigenous Ni Vanuatu youth.
Since then in excess of 110 youth and 14 adults have experienced time sailing. This may be a small number by Western standards but is nearly equal to 0.05% of the total Vanuatu population, a feat we are extremely proud of achieving in such a short time.
The International Sailing Federation (ISAF), together with Oceania Sailing Federation (OSAF), have recognised our efforts and included Vanuatu in the ISAF YW ENP Performance Clinic program that is designed to culminate with our top three sailors, one of whom must be female, participating in the 2015 ISAF Youth Worlds.
The ISAF YW ENP is a unique program to assist developing nations join the circle of international sailing. It is also the first time Vanuatu has been included in any international sailing initiative.
The purpose of the ISAF ENP is twofold;
a./ To provide developing nations with support to grow their own development sailing program with the emphasis on youth and legacy.
b./ To identify sailors with natural ability and to mentor those sailors in developing their skills, for them to compete in the 2015 ISAF Youth Worlds, and ultimately in the 2020 Olympic Games.
Our first three sailors selected to participate in this program travel to Fiji on 22 April for a weeklong high performance sailing clinic where they will enjoy intensive coaching from the both the UK and NZ Olympic sailing coaches.
The ISAF clinic will be immediately followed by the Oceania Sailing Championships, at which our sailors will compete against all the other South Pacific nations, including Australia and New Zealand.
This is a fantastic and life changing opportunity for these sailors and it opens the door to international sailing for Vanuatu, something that will ultimately benefit every sailor in Vanuatu.
For Vanuatu to continue to be part of this ISAF program we need to acquire at least six Laser sailboats, the Olympic class designated by ISAF for use throughout the program.
The VSA secured a pledge of sponsorship from a local business to purchase the six Laser sailboats we need, all of which we have been offered at greatly reduced and subsidised price by the manufacturer, Performance Sailing Australia.
However, the critical dilemma we now face following cyclone Pam is our sponsor has advised that consequent to their own damage and loss they are no longer able to afford this sponsorship and have reluctantly withdrawn their pledge.
Whilst we understand and accept the reason our sponsor has had to withdraw their sponsorship this has devastated the future of the VSA development sailing program, and left us without any prospect of obtaining
craft suitable to develop a youth performance sailing squad able to represent Vanuatu in regional and international competition.
Without urgent assistance our vision of Vanuatu youth participating in the Pacific Games, ISAF Youth Worlds and ultimately the 2020 Olympic Games could hence now become a mere dream for Vanuatu.
Not having these Laser sailboats will likely also result in Vanuatu being excluded from further participation in the ISAF ENP program, something that will have dire consequences, not just for the Vanuatu development sailing program, but the future growth of sailing in Vanuatu as a whole.
This is why we humbly appeal to you, your members and friends for any support that will allow the VSA to replace its equipment and purchase the ex-charter Lasers we have been offered.
The Laser sailboats have been offered to Vanuatu at a greatly reduced subsidised price of AU$7,925 (GB£4,000) each by the manufacturer are brand new ex Oceania Champs charter boats.
Each of these Laser will be supplied with all three sail rigs making them perfect for coaching all abilities, and not just our upcoming performance Ni Vanuatu sailors.
To make the program work we ideally need at least six Lasers but, as we do now, we will make do with whatever we are able to secure.
All we are able to offer you in return for your support is our sincere gratitude, a commitment to take proper care of these Laser and to teach many, many youth who would otherwise never had the opportunity how to sail. We will also ensure all donors are kept fully informed on our Association’s and sailor’s progress, now and in the future.
Large or small contributions may be made directly to the VSA or to OSAF, who will hold these funds in trust on our behalf in an audited account. In addition to demonstrating the legitimacy of this appeal OSAF will also ensure all donations are correctly used. Instructions on how to complete a funds transfer to the OSAF bank account are as attached.
Individual credit or debit card contributions may also be made online via this GoFundMe web page. All funds collected by GoFundMe will also be paid into the OSAF trust account.
In event anyone is able to extend their generosity to sponsor the whole cost of a boat that boat will always bear their name and can also be branded with their corporate identity. You may also retain title to any such
boat if you so desire – all we need is Lasers for our development sailors to sail on – whether or not we own them is not important. We will even be delighted to receive useable second hand boats.
In event a benefactor / corporate is able to sponsor all the boats needed to make this happen they will, in addition to several other quirky benefits, enjoy perpetual naming rights of the Vanuatu Sailing Academy (ie: it can be renamed The Sponsor Name Sailing Foundation) and include appropriate, and very visible, signage right next to the passenger cruise ship terminal that will be seen by in excess of 1 million predominantly AU and NZ tourists per year. The total investment for this would be circa GB£25k / AU$49k. Please contact me directly if this level of sponsorship is of interest to you.
If you have any questions or need more information please do not hesitate to contact me directly at your convenience.
Yours in sailing
PAUL PETTITT
Secretary General
Phone: +678 22909
Mobile: +678 7767360
Email: [email redacted]
OSAF Bank Account Details
Bank & Address: ANZ Bank, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Account Name: Oceania Sailing Federation
Branch Number: 01 09 75
Account Number: 322 846
Bank Swift / BIC Code: ANZBCKCR
Payer Reference: VSA/And Your Name
Very Important: So that we may acknowledge and track contribution paid directly to the trust account please notify [email redacted] of any payment made to the OSAF account.
PS:
So that there is no confusion I need to make clear that any of these Laser sailboats individuals buy can be privately owned.
Although the VSA would really appreciate boats to be fully sponsored nobody is being asked to buy boats for other people – all we ask is that the Ni Vanuatu performance sailors have access to your boat for supervised coaching, a very small price to pay for the massive discount being offered.
Besides the Ni Vanuatu development program we also need and want members to join and sail with us at the VCYC, and these Laser sailboats provide the perfect opportunity for you to do this. Plus, if you do not already know how to sail we will teach all you need to know to sail your own boat for free!
At the same time we also realise a lot of the expat community in Vanuatu are transient and not here for the long haul. Hence, as we do with RS sailboats, I will offer anyone who purchases one (or more) of these Lasers a buy-back-guarantee subject to a 25% per annum write down. You have everything to gain and nothing to loose!
Dinghy sailing is a fantastic social, fun and healthy sport for all ages that, after the initial capital outlay, costs very little if anything to enjoy.
Let’s make this happen – I know we can!!
