Welcome to the RYA Topper Squad application page.

Applications are open for Phase 2 only (RYA Zone Squads, ITCA (GBR) UK 4.2 Squad).  Applications for Phase 2 close on midnight 4th October 2015.

Applications for Phase 1 (RYA UK Junior Squad, RYA UK Intermediate Junior Squad, ITCA (GBR) UK Youth Squad) CLOSED on midnight 6th September 2015.  Applications submitted for Phase 1 after this date will not be considered.

 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

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, and eligible for Phase 2, then 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, Midlands 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).  APPLICATIONS CLOSE MIDNIGHT 4th OCTOBER 2015.

The next step is the UK / Intermediate Squads - in order to be eligible, sailors shall normally aged 15 on the 31st December 2015

2. RYA UK Junior Squad
24 Topper UK Junior squad places will normally be offered, normally awarding at least eight of these places to girls and eight of these places to boys.  Places for squad squad will normally be offered during Phase One of the selection process. More Information on RYA UK Junior Squad). APPLICATIONS ARE NOT OPEN AND CLOSED MIDNIGHT 6th SEPTEMBER 2015.

3. RYA UK Junior Intermediate Squad
Up to 24 Topper UK Intermediate Junior squad places will normally be offered to elgible sailors who have not already been offered a UK Junior Squad place.  Normally we would aim to award at least six of these places to girls and six of these places to boys.  The Intermediate Squad provides coaching for sailors who the Selectors feel have the potential to progress into the RYA UK Junior Squad.  More Information on RYA UK Intermediate Junior Squad). APPLICATIONS ARE NOT OPEN AND CLOSED MIDNIGHT 6th SEPTEMBER 2015.

5. ITCA (GBR) Youth Squad
Normally up to 24 places will be offered to sailors who have not been offered a place int he RYA squads.  We would normally aim to award eight of these places to girls and eight of these places to boys.  The first six places will normally be offered to the six highest ranked eligible youth sailors.  Sailors shall normally be aged 14 or over and under 19 on the 31st December 2015 and been competing in UK Squad Indicator Series. APPLICATIONS ARE NOT OPEN AND CLOSED MIDNIGHT 6th SEPTEMBER 2015.

6. 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.  Sailors shall normally normally be aged over 10 and under 14 on the 31st December 2015.  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.  Up to 24 Topper 4.2 National Squad places will normally be offered.  Normally we would aim to award at least six of these places to girls and six of these places to boys.  The first six places will be normally offered to the six highest ranked sailors, to include a minimum of two girls and two boys (more information on the ITCA squads). APPLICATIONS CLOSE MIDNIGHT 27th SEPTEMBER 2015.

Go back to the RYA Junior Squad Application page.