Welcome to the RYA Topper Squad application page.

Applications are now closed

Applications will close after the last Class Nominated Indicator Event or last Class Open Association Regional Traveller Event, whichever is later
If you are applying for Phase 2 after 28th September 2014, please also inform your relevant High Performance Manager - their details can be found here.

NB: Applications after these dates may not be accepted. 

 To the right you will find the 'Application Check-list' document, which will help you gather the relevant information prior to inputting your application on-line.

 Selection for the Topper squads will happen in two phases:

Phase 1 (following the final National series indicator event)
RYA UK Junior Squad, RYA UK Intermediate Squad; ITCA (GBR) Youth Squad, ITCA (GBR) Racing Squad

Phase 2 (following the final Zone Squad indicator event)
RYA Zone Squads & ITCA (GBR) 4.2 National Squad

If you are unsuccessful to gain a place in the Phase 1 selections, your application will be carried through to the Phase 2 selection (IF YOU HAVE INDICATED THIS ON YOUR APPLICATION – BY THE TICK BOX).

The Squads

The first step in Topper squads are the Zone Squads.

1. RYA Zone Squads  – North Zone Squad, East Zone Squad, South Zone Squad, West Zone Squad, South East Zone Squad & South West Zone Squad.

For sailors normally of sailing age under 14 years (their age on the 31st December on year of selection), the squads are organised on a regional basis.  The Zone Squads in England are organised by the RYA.  Interested sailors in Scotland and Wales should contact RYA Scotland and the WYA respectively.  These squads provide coaching for sailors who are aspiring to progress to the RYA UK Junior Squads (More information on RYA Zone Squads).

To proceed with your application click on APPLY above.

The next step are the UK/ National Squads.

2. RYA UK Intermediate Junior Squad.
Usually for sailors who are sailing age under 15 years (their age on the 31st December on year of selection).  The Intermediate Squad provides coaching for sailors who the Selectors feel have the potential to progress into the RYA UK Junior Squad or to the RYA Transition Training Squads (normally 18 sailors).  More Information on RYA UK Intermediate Junior Squad).

To proceed with your application click on APPLY above.

3. RYA UKJunior Squad.
The next step is the UK Squad, again usually for sailors who are sailing age under 15 years (their age on the 31st December on year of selection).  The UK Junior Squad provides coaching for sailors who are aspiring to progress to the RYA Transition Training Squads that feed through to the RYA UK Youth Squads (normally 24 sailors).  More Information on RYA UK Junior Squad).

To proceed with your application click on APPLY above.

Other Squads.And the final chance for those not selected for the other squads are the ITCA (GBR) Squads (more information on the ITCA squads).  The ITCA (GBR) Squads are organised for the benefit of either experienced Topper sailors who are normally aged over sailing age 14 years and so are too old for a place in the RYA Junior Zone Squad programme, and in a recent development through the addition of a 4.2 National Squad for younger, lighter sailors who are using the smaller 4.2 sail.

4. ITCA (GBR) 4.2 National Squad.
The 4.2 National Squad promotes the Topper 4.2 as a separate class to the Topper with the 5.3 sail and as the clear choice for younger or smaller sailors.  The 4.2 rig is ideally suited to sailors in the weight range of 35-45 kg and who are 11-13 years old and often struggle on with the full 5.3 sail or reef, neither of which is ideal for building sailing skills.  The 4.2 is a much better balanced boat for these sailors and this squad enables sailors to gain skills in a boat they are much better suited to.

To proceed with your application click on APPLY above.

5. ITCA (GBR) Racing Squad.
The Racing Squad is for members of the Class Association who are sailing age 14 years (their age on the 31st December) and are not selected for one of the other RYA squads.  It provides race coaching for experienced racers.

To proceed with your application click on APPLY above.

6. ITCA (GBR) Youth Squad.
The Youth Squad is open to all members of the Class Association who are sailing age under 18 years (their age on the 31st December) and too old for one of the other squads and have not moved on to one of the RYA Youth Pathway classes.  It provides race coaching for experienced racers.

To proceed with your application click on APPLY above.

Go back to the RYA Junior Squad Application page.