RPAYC helping those Solider On
In early August last year, The Royal
Prince Alfred Yacht Club formed a
partnership with Australia’s Solider On
organisation which provides support to
our ex-service men and women to help
reintegrate them back into society and
on a road to recovery from the mental
and physical wounds received during
their service to this country.
Solider On’s initiatives can only be
achieved with the help from other clubs,
individuals and community groups who
provide support to the organisation. The
Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, along
with their initiative, Integrated disAbled
Sailing found this a perfect opportunity
to give back to those in need through
sailing.
Nathan Vardanega, Reintegration Officer
for NSW from Solider On is very pleased
about the RPAYC taking on board Soldier
On as part of their Integrated disAbled
Sailing Program.
“The RPAYC has offered a great
opportunity for our ex-servicemen and
women to engage with the Club and the
sailing community. Tom Spithill (Club
Coach) and Bob Bennett (Club Member)
have been extremely helpful in getting
participants out on the water with
some very positive results.” Said Nathan
Vardanega.
Working closely with Tom Spithill and
Bob Bennett, the two have helped
Solider On get the most of their sailing
experiences. Not only do they learn on
the Club’s Elliott 7 keelboats but also
experience the team-building aspects
of sailing a yacht and the excitement of
handling a boat under pressure in strong
winds.
Tom Spithill is extremely delighted to
be part of this program with Solider On
and couldn’t be more impressed with
the way they have picked up sailing so
quickly.
“These guys love the water and a
challenge, we’ve been out in some
strong stuff and they just take it all on!
I feel very privileged to make their lives
a little better through sailing.” Said Tom
Spithill
Even though Solider On has been
partnered with the Club for just over
seven months, the program is growing
stronger with more new participants at
each sailing day. The Club has opened
up great opportunities for participants
to further their new love of sailing with a
number of participants moving on to do
keelboat courses to develop their skills
and to get out sailing on a regular basis.
Moving forward, the success from these
previous months has the program
looking to the future in helping open
up more opportunities in sailing and
also employment. Nathan Vardenega
sees a great future and relationship with
the RPAYC and Solider On to expand
with helping more participants engage
with the Club, its members and also the
community
“We are seeing participants wanting to
improve their sailing skills, the RPAYC
are already doing a great job and I’m
looking forward to the future and what
opportunities it will bring.”
To see the great work Solider On do visit
www.soldieron.org.au
To get involved with is great initiative
email [email protected]
The next event is the Solider On Family
Day – Friday March 18