Dean Barker supports disabled and elite sailors

August 27, 2010
Press Release – for immediate release

Bay of Plenty Sailing Trust Academy

Dean Barker supports disabled and elite sailors

Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker is putting his name to a trust that enables disabled and disadvantaged Bay of Plenty children and teenagers to experience sailing and engage them in the sport.

The Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust (BoPSAT) was established in 2004 with the support of Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton, Pat’s Pantry and Bayline Coaches and has now recruited Dean Barker as Patron.

“This is a huge boost for BoPSAT’s profile and it will certainly assist us in achieving our goals,” says BoPSAT trustee and administrator Roy Walmsley. 
“During my discussions with Dean, a major consideration in his decision to become our Patron was the fact that he’d be assisting young sailors in the regions.”

Dean sees great value in Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust after receiving support from Murray’s Bay Sailing Club when he was young.

“The disciplines and friendships that programmes like this instil are life-long and hold the sailors in good stead in whatever path they choose down the road,” says Dean.

In addition to supporting disadvantaged youth in sailing, BoPSAT also assists the region’s top emerging sailors with coaching, resources and funding in partnership with the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club. This association has achieved strong results with the club producing eight world champions in the last six years.

Most recently, Thomas Saunders (2010) and Sam Meech (2009) won the ISAF Junior Laser Radial World Championships, Laura Hemingway won the Woman’s Splash World Championship in 2010 and Paulien Eitjes won back-to-back IFDS World Blind Sailing Championship in 2006 and on Lake Rotorua in 2009. 

“Sailing is New Zealand’s most successful international sport,” says Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club Commodore Roger Clark.

“We dominate at all levels and every successful offshore race yacht has a large percentage of kiwis in its crew. BoPSAT provides many young people in the Bay of Plenty with the opportunity and means to get involved in sailing and continue to follow their ambitions.”

“To be part of Emirates Team NZ is the pinnacle of many of our young competitive sailors’ dreams and having Dean Barker as Patron of BoPSAT is fitting indeed.”

Dean says getting to the top is difficult and a certain amount of raw talent is needed, but an organisation like BoPSAT helps develop the necessary skills.
“The most important values are that of discipline and focus. Without these two things it is very hard to achieve.
“If there was one other thing I would say is that it also needs to be fun, as without the enjoyment of what you are doing there will never be the motivation to continue, and that is important.”

The trust’s success has been achieved with generous donations received from community and gaming trusts and charities: Bay Trust, TECT, Pub Charity, The Lion Foundation, The Perry Foundation, Scottwood Group, NZ Community Trust and Southern Trust. 

Sponsorship and support has also been received from Steve’s Marine Supplies, Bartercard, Sun Media, Elements Watersports, Safety Knives Ltd, Radio Network, Hutchesons Boat Builders, NZ Sail.com, Ingham Mora Chartered Accountants, Kiwi Yachting Consultants, Port of Tauranga, Thornburrow Sails, Blokart, Hayden Law, Heirloom Kitchens, Mackenzie Elvin Solicitors, Kale Print & Design, Moca Web Creation, Vosper Realty, Crombie Lockwood, Trudie Malone, Tauranga Boat Sales, Bridge Marina Travel Lift, Mike McCormick Rigging, The Technology Centre, Toast Event Management, Waimarino Adventure Park, Mandy Scott-Mackie and Harrison Frames.

“It is great to see the Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy securing Dean Barker as its Patron moving forward,” says Bartercard New Zealand National sponsorship manager Stuart Wilkinson.

“For Bartercard it is great to be associated with an organisation that helps young people fulfil their dreams and ambitions. With Dean Barker as Patron we’ll see more young sailors reach their full potential and represent New Zealand on the world stage.”

“It’s awesome to see a local organisation which we’ve been proud to support grow to such a stature that Dean Barker, one of the highest profile sportsmen in sailing, is willing to join them,” says Radio Network general manager Andrew Love.
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