Croft Farm Flyers’ next generation of young windsurfers will be keen to show the old guard how they are following in their footsteps when Croft Farm hosts round two of the 2012 Team15 Midlands Inter-Club Challenge Series this Saturday (9 June).

No fewer than three graduates of the Flyers’ team will be on hand at Croft Farm helping coach the crop of developing youngsters and assisting with the running of the event having become qualified RYA Windsurfing Instructors after leaving the Team15 programme.

Team15 is the RYA’s youth windsurfing development programme, enabling kids aged 15 and under to learn new skills and develop under the guidance of specialist RYA coaches whilst having fun with their mates.

But keen to continue their involvement in the sport they developed their passion for through Team15, former Flyers twins Laura and Ben Bulson and Elliott Cash all undertook their instructor qualifications when they turned 16.

Elliott has since regularly helped Flyers team manager, Tom Lawrence, hone the skills of the new crop of youngsters coming through the Croft Farm Team15 set-up at the team’s weekly training sessions. Meanwhile Laura and Ben will be putting their experience to good use in assisting RYA Midlands Team15 event co-ordinator, Tom Davenport, in managing the event.

Tom Lawrence believes the trio can be an inspiration to his fledgling Flyers.

He said: “We have got a lot of young, less experienced windsurfers just starting out in the sport and newcomers joining the club and Elliott, Laura and Ben can be great examples to them of how much enjoyment it is possible to get from the sport. It isn’t all about winning races, it is about loving being out on the water, improving and just having fun. Elliott, Laura and Ben are three people who love their sport and seeing their enthusiasm and commitment can only be a good thing for those kids following in their footsteps.”

Flyers will be hoping they can make home advantage count when they welcome Team15 outfits from across the West and East Midlands, including reigning Midlands champions, Northampton’s Pitsford Pirates, to Croft Farm. Pirates got their title defence off to a perfect start, comprehensively winning the opening round of the four-event regional series at Carsington Water, Derbyshire last month.

Croft Farm’s James Bulson, 10, picked up a special merit award at event one after overcoming illness in the morning to compete in all the afternoon races.

This year’s Team15 events are being held under the banner of Sail for Gold, the RYA’s nationwide London 2012 initiative celebrating Britain's unmatched Olympic sailing heritage and inspiring more people to get out on the water more regularly. Sail for Gold aims to bring the buzz of the Olympics as close as home to possible for everyone, wherever they live.

Fun and informal Flyers’ sessions are held weekly from April to September. Kit can be borrowed from the clubs and the cost of sessions is kept low. There are more than 80 Team15 clubs nationwide. Supported by industry leaders Tushingham/Starboard and Neil Pryde, Team15 was set up to help make windsurfing more accessible and appealing to youngsters at grassroots level.   

For more information about getting involved in Team15 at Croft Farm Flyers visit www.croftfarmleisure.co.uk or www.team15.org.uk