Piggott School pupil sails with Team GB
A WARGRAVE youngster has been sailing for Great Britain on the international stage.
Adam Roberts, 12, from the The Piggott School, competed in Italy last weekend for the Optimist Hallowe’en Cup.
He represented the country’s Junior Team at the international sporting event alongside more than 20 other youngsters.
It took place between Saturday, October 30 and Monday, November 1.
Adam,’s mother, Emma, said he was “extremely excited” to compete in Italy, which brought more than 600 sailors together from Europe and beyond.
“There were boats there from all over the world,” she said. “It was his first international event and a really good opportunity.”
And that’s not all Adam is celebrating, because he has also been selected for a prestigious national sailing scheme.
The 12-year-old has been chosen for the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) training programme for the second year running, which will see him join the top 36 sailors across the country.
“Adam had to attend two events and do relatively well to get selected,” Ms Roberts explained. “He’s really pleased and will learn all sorts of skills throughout the process.”
She said the sailors will now attend seven weekend training sessions up and down country to learn from top coaches.
According to Ms Roberts, sailing runs in Adam’s blood.
“My husband does a lot of sailing events, and it’s a brilliant sport for Adam to get into,” she said. “He loves it with a passion, and we hope he’ll continue to do it for the rest of his life.
“I think it’s important for young people to have a hobby that’s not in front of a screen.”
Adam has been having sailing lessons at Burghfield Sailing Club since he was seven.
Ms Roberts added: “He’s also made a lot of friendships and has learnt a lot about working in a team.
“Managing himself in that way has been interesting and a good learning experience.”