We are delighted to announce the appointment of Roger Craig as RYA Northern Ireland Racing Officer.
Roger is a hugely experienced sailor and coach, so we are sure that he will add a lot to the Northern Ireland Sailing Team and the wider team at RYA Northern Ireland.
He will initially be working 17.5 hours per week and will work closely with RYA Northern Ireland Performance Manager, Andrew Baker, to progress performance and racing in Northern Ireland.
The Racing Officer is a brand-new post at RYANI. What is it and what do you hope to achieve in the position?
This new role will look at racing for all levels and abilities, from newcomers to racing up to those towards the top end of our Northern Irish fleets. We all want to see lots of folk out on the water, in big numbers, enjoying sailing and racing. We will be aiming to support the continued growth and development of our clubs and classes through various different guises of racing.
What excites you most about the role and why?
I’ve been abroad for a number of years sailing and coaching, and having the opportunity to contribute to sailing in Northern Ireland is a big motivator.
What is your sailing experience? How did you first get into the sport and what experiences have you had since then?
My old man had me sitting on the floor of a firefly dinghy before I could walk. Over the years I’ve sailed lots of classes, I’ve raced ILCAs full time for a number of years and I’ve recently been coaching in Europe and the Middle East.
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of sailing?
Outside sailing, I’m busy working on the farm. Sports wise, I’ve played masters hockey for Ireland, raced an Ironman triathlon and ran a few marathons.
How do you think your friends would describe you?
I’m too old and miserable for friends these days!
What would you like to see more of in the Northern Irish sailing scene?
I’d like to see strength in depth across a wide number of classes. Good fleet sizes with enjoyable tight racing. Its important that sailing racing has a place for everyone, the challenge of someone’s first competition, alongside experienced athletes fighting for top spots.
