Young women invited behind the scenes of SailGP in RYA mentoring scheme
SailGP Technologies, Southampton. Image courtesy of Jason Ludlow for SailGP
In elite sailing events, the action on the water is only part of the story. Behind every race sits a complex network of media teams, engineers, event organisers and sustainability specialists. Now the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and SailGP are giving young women the chance to step inside that world for the first time through a new mentoring initiative linked to this summer’s Emirates Great Britain SailGP Grand Prix in Portsmouth.
RYA and SailGP are launching a Junior Upskill Mentor Programme (JUMP). It’s a new work‑shadowing initiative for young women aged 16–25. The programme is part of the RYA’s role as event purpose partner.
Inside the new RYA–SailGP mentoring initiative
JUMP is designed to provide meaningful experiences across the marine, events, and competitive sailing sectors, offering participants the opportunity to go behind the scenes to shadow professionals from both the RYA and SailGP in the lead up and around the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Grand Prix Portsmouth event.
“As a woman who has established a career in this industry, I know first‑hand how powerful it is to be given a chance to step inside the world you aspire to join,” says Sara Sutcliffe, RYA CEO.
“JUMP represents exactly the kind of change the RYA is striving to achieve – creating practical, hands‑on opportunities that show young women what’s possible when they’re empowered to explore careers the water can offer. I’m excited to be personally taking on a shadowee and, alongside our partners at SailGP, helping to spark that early confidence that can set someone on an entirely new path.”
Behind the scenes of a global sailing event
Despite living in a country surrounded by water, many young women remain unaware of the diverse breadth of career opportunities available to them across the UK’s marine landscape, says an RYA press note. From media production and sustainability strategy to major event delivery, logistics and high‑performance sport, the industry offers far more career pathways than many realise.
The idea is that JUMP will connect young women with mentors who have built successful careers in these spaces, and who are also actively shaping the future of the industry. By learning directly from experts who have navigated, challenged and thrived within these environments, participants gain visibility of what’s possible — and the confidence to picture themselves in those spaces too.
Opening the door to careers beyond the helm
JUMP is open to young women with or without sailing experience. While some placements require prior knowledge, many do not — ensuring opportunities are accessible to those new to the marine environment and keen to explore what a future career in the sector might look like.
Participants are expected to benefit from insight into how major sporting events come together, and a chance to explore different career paths without needing experience. Placements will run across 3–5 days in July and include areas such as sport development, racing & performance, training and brand & event.
