Interview with Johnny Ross Murphy
Director of the Youth Scholarship Scheme(YSS) at the Royal St George Yacht Club.
Johnny,the George has tremendous representation at the ISAF Youth World Championships which take place in Istanbul next week.
''Yes ,five of the six person team are now club members.Last year ,we had three of the four person team at the Brasil Worlds''
Who is going ?
'' Jane Butler and Jenny Andreason compete in the girls 420, Matty O Dowd goes in the Laser Radial . Scot Flanagan (also a member in Howth and Malahide) goes as part of the 420 boys team .Sophie Murphy from Quoile,going in the Girls Laser Radial, has just now joined the club.
Jane , Jenny and Matty are part of the Youth Scholarship Scheme (YSS) at the George'''
What did the YSS members do to get there?
''Selection was based on the results of 2 Irish Trials and attaining certain standards in nominated regattas abroad. The Irish events were the junior selector event at Schull over Easter and the Mitsubishi regatta in Dublin during May. Mattie won both events comfortably in the Laser Radial class as did the girls in the 420. In fact ,Jane and Jenny got 5 bullets in a 5 race counting regatta at the Mitsubishi''
What are their chances?
''Good! They are definite top 10 contenders in any regatta.I believe their current standard is such that they have a very realistic chance of finishing in the top 6 and if they have a really good regatta and the ball keeps bouncing in their favour then they could bring home a medal. These sailors have already qualified and been to one ISAF youth worlds, representing Ireland in Brasil last year.This representation is in the same way as individual Olympic competitors are selected and represent the country in a single class. This experience from last year will be invaluable going to Istanbul.Also,the girls were 11th in the ladies open worlds last year and Mattie won a Europa Cup event.
They are all still only 18 or less but have now got an extra years coaching,preparation and experience.They have prepared as well as it is possible to prepare"
What coaching support will they have at the event?
''Ross Killian is ISA coach to the 420 teams and Arthur Brett is ISA coach to the Laser Radials. Arthur who is Australian is also coach to Tom Slingsby who was Laser Full Rig World Champion in 2007 and 2008 and is a hot favourite again for2010.
What about mind gurus and physical fitness?
''Good coaches will cover for the mental side whilst at the event and Brendan Foley from the club has been a great help here at home. Also, Regarding physical stuff, they use the Sports Med gym in Dublin organised by the ISA. Ciara Peelo supervises their programme there .Ciara and her team mate Laura Dillon are Irelands only medallists to date in the ISAF Youth worlds.''
Will you be there yourself?
" No ! I obviously will be keenly following it from home, It will be easy to follow their progress on the ISAF website where the youth worlds section has been getting pride of place. These championships rank second only to the Olympics on the ISAF calendar and there is a direct connection between high performance at the youth event and later success at the Olympics."
How is this event funded?
"The ISA fund the participation and coaching in the event ."
What is the age limitation?
"Under 18 on the 1st January of the competing year "
What are ideal weights for these teams?
"The 420 girls target is about 120 kgs combined and for the radial about 72 kgs "
What has made the RSGYC so successful?
"There are a number of fundamental reasons. At the top of the list is funding which has been provided by the club and by individual members within the club.Secondly, the focus is concentrated on a small group. The task then is to provide that small group with the absolute best coaching and preparation that can be got at the various stages of the programme.
What is the YSS?
We built an organization and structure to achieve this success,namely the YSS. The objectives of the YSS are to continue getting RSGYC kids onto the ISA youth academy and getting more of them to qualify for the youth worlds .Having done that,the 3rd objective is to give those that qualify a better chance of medalling at the youth worlds.The ISAF youth worlds are the centre piece and focal point of this effort.
How do you do all that?
"You have to decide at the beginning if are you going to have a large or a small group.With a large group,you are spreading the effort too thinly.... It's a funding issue,..but focussing on a small group who show the relevant potential and commitment,that's how we have approached it.We start by engaging with both parents and interested kids.
You are the director since 2006 .what has this involved for you personally?
"Brian Craig encouraged me to get involved.Also,it was very important to me that Alistair Rumball was around to help me as he had a lot of coach contacts and had been through it with his son Kenny and David Moran who won Bronze at the 420 Youth Europeans.We thought the same way on all the main issues as we had been both involved for a long time in racing,coaching,etc. As director,I interview and select for the YSS program, put the program in place and manage it. I also provide a mentoring role which is important as it provides continuity in a situation where you could have a number of different coaches for different elements of the programme. It has of course involved a lot of travel to the qualifying events and regattas at home and abroad."
Why do you do it?
"We wanted to prove that Irish youths ,with the right programmes and support can get to a very high level of performance and achieve world class results accordingly. We also wanted to prove that this can be done from a very narrow base within a club.
The RSGYC is hosting the 2012 ISAF Youth Worlds
What is the timeframe and program for that for a potential competitor?
"Ideally, a sailor should have a three year representation and a minimum of two at the youth worlds in order to have the best chance of medalling .We have two 420 teams on the YSS programme at the moment who are 2012 elegible - Alexander Rumball,Enzo Michel,Tara Flood and Lucy Bolger . We aim to have more starting in the Autumn particularly Laser radial sailors.
Is there a progression direct to the Weymouth London Olympics in 2012 for the Istanbul competitors?
"Bear in mind that the boats are different,the 420 becomes the 470 and the Laser Radial becomes the Laser Full Rig.However,I wouldn't be surprised if either or both of these teams were in Weymouth "
Anything to say before we finish?
" Yes , I would like to thank the club and all those individual members who are supporting the YSS both financially and otherwise. Also I would like to thank all the coaches who are instrumental in the successes being achieved amongst them club members Kenny Rumball and Daveid Moran ( 420 European Youth bronze medallists Ger owens ( dual race winner at Beijing ) and in particular Ian neely from New Zealand ( coach to both boys and girls 420 world champions and olympic laser sailors) who has brought our programme to the very highest level.
Wishing our competitors the best of luck next week in Istanbul"
