The R. D. Leak Trophy was relaunched at the Guernsey Sailing Trust.
Students involved with sailing from Elizabeth College – the last organisation to win the trophy – were present.
The trophy will now be awarded to a school, youth organisation or individual who has demonstrated a commitment to getting young people active on the water. This could be through swimming, sailing, surfing or another sea-based activity.
Education lead for the Health Improvement Commission Alun Williams said it was a ‘beautiful old trophy’.
‘We are looking forward to awarding the trophy to an organisation or school that’s been good at promoting children being active around the sea,’ he said.
Mr Williams said one of the reasons the event was happening at the Sailing Trust was that it was an organisation very involved with this aim.
‘But it could go to anyone,’ he said.
‘Lots of schools have been really good at getting young people active on the water and they do it in a safe environment,’ he said.
Guernsey Sailing Trust office manager Sarah Creasey, whose ancestor presented the trophy to its last winners, said the trust sees lots of the schools and groups that get youngsters active in the sea.
‘And a massive part of what we do is get children out on the water,’ she said.
Jacob Brady and Joe Coutanche, both 16, were among the six Elizabeth College students who attended the relaunch.
‘We come down every week to sail and we’re also training for the senior sailing games,’ said Jacob.
Joe thought it was good the award was being relaunched and that an organisation or person would be recognised for the important role of getting people active on the sea.
‘We live on an island, so I think we should make the most of the water sports we can get involved in,’ he said.
Jackie Pendleton is the teacher who heads sailing education at Elizabeth College. She said it was great news that the trophy was back out there and would recognise contributions to getting young people involved in sea activities.
‘We hope to earn it again in the future,’ she said.
Mr Williams said it was great that the trophy will be used as an award again.
n To nominate an organisation or an individual for the award send an email Mr Williams at alun.williams@gov.gg with a 50-word summary of the nominee by Friday 15 February.
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