Dean Barker supports disabled and elite sailors

by Zoe Hawkins

Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker has put his name to a trust that enables disabled and disadvantaged Bay of Plenty children and teenagers to experience sailing and engage them in the sport.

The Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust (BoPSAT) was established in 2004 with the support of Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton, and now has Dean Barker as the trust Patron.

“The disciplines and friendships that programmes like this instil are life-long and hold the sailors in good stead in whatever path they choose down the road,” says Dean.

BoPSAT also assists the region’s top emerging sailors with coaching, resources and funding in partnership with the Tauranga Yacht and Powerboat Club. Strong results have been achieved with the club producing eight world champions in the last six years.

Dean says getting to the top is difficult and a certain amount of raw talent is needed, but an organisation like BoPSAT helps to develop the necessary skills.

“The most important values are that of discipline and focus. Without these two things it is very hard to achieve. If there was one other thing I would say is that it also needs to be fun, as without the enjoyment of what you are doing there will never be the motivation to continue, and that is important.”

For more information on the Bay of Plenty youth sail programme see:

www.youthsail.org.nz