Emirates Team New Zealand Youth Training Programme

Established 1987

Emirates Team New Zealand Youth Training Programme

2026 INTAKE NOW OPEN

Applications are now open for the Emirates Team New Zealand Youth Training Programme.

Who can apply: Athletes between the age of 16 and 23 years may apply. Younger sailors considered upon application. All levels of sailing ability are considered. We put more focus on attitude when it comes to selection.

Orientation Weekend: 28-29 March 2026
Due to hosting the trails regatta for the 2026 Youth Match Racing Worlds, orientation weekend has been moved to:
11th & 12th April 2026.

Application Process:

  1. Complete the application form
  2. Interview with RNZYS
  3. Contract, schedule and information pack supplied within one (1) week of interview
  4. Payment is required one (1) week from acceptance into the programme. Payment plans are available on request.

Athlete Details

I am
Name

Emirates Team New Zealand donated a brand new fleet of 10 Elliott 7s to the RNZYS Youth Training Programme in February 2024. These are the boats used for both YTP and the Performance Programme and provide the perfect training ground with their versatility to be to be able to be rigged with gennakers and spinnakers.

Commitment

The course is a comprehensive programme designed to make you a better athlete and person, therefore attendance to all sessions is required.

If you sign up and are unable to attend any sessions you will need to fill out a leave form in advance.

Schedule

The Emirates Team New Zealand Youth Training Programme runs from March through to December each year.

Trainings are generally 0900 to 1600 on weekends with the exception of public holiday weekends.

During the winter months, the programme runs on alternate Saturdays to the North Sails Winter Series where athletes are encouraged to compete on members yachts. The coach can assist with placement on these yachts.

Costs

The cost for the season of the 2025 YTP programme was $4,000 per sailor. Costs are currently under review for the 2026 YTP programme.

Cost includes:

  • coaching
  • boat usage
  • rib usage
  • uniform
  • some travel expenses for selected regattas

Regattas

As a member of YTP, there is the opportunity to compete in both local and international regattas. In addition to this, RNZYS hosts five internal regattas specifically for YTP sailors and/or graduates with results from these going towards the World Sailing Match Racing Youth World Rankings.

Local Regattas

  • New Zealand Youth Match Racing Nationals, RNZYS
  • New Zealand Match Racing Nationals, RNZYS
  • New Zealand Youth International Match Racing Cup, RNZYS

International Regattas

  • Hardy Cup Youth International Match Racing Cup / Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, Sydney
  • Harken Youth International Match Racing Cup / Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Squadron, Sydney
  • John Messenger Women’s Match Racing Regatta / Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Sydney
  • Helly Hansen Youth International Match Racing Regatta / Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Sydney
  • Warren Jones International Youth Regatta / Royal Fresh Water Bay Yacht Club, Perth

Other opportunities may arise during the season and athletes will be notified of this if/when that happens.

The Fleet

All training and racing for the Youth Training Programme is done in the Emirates Team New Zealand Elliott 7 fleet.

These boats run North Sails with the rigs supplied by NZ Rigging.

The fleet is managed by Geoff Dawson, with athletes also actively involved with the maintenance and upkeep as part of their training.