VIODA Training Groups

VICTORIAN OPTIMIST SAILING TEAM (VOST) & VICTORIAN OPTIMIST DEVELOPMENT SQUAD (VODS) SELECTION CRITERIA

Background

The Victorian Optimist Sailing Team (VOST) was first established in 2009 to support the further development of the top Victorian Optimist sailors through specialised coaching and support at key Optimist regattas.

VIODA further added to this in 2015 to include the Victorian Optimist Development Squad (VODS). In 2022 VIODA is further refining the VODS and putting programs in place to assist VODS sailors to progress their skills towards future VOST selection.

The specific benefits available to a member of VOST / VODS include:

• Victorian Training Camps – these have been structured in such a way so that our sailors can maximize the benefit of inclusion in the VOST/ VODS team. The dates selected are designed to minimize impact on your nominated sailing club training programs where possible and enable members to attend from all parts of Victoria.
• Enabling the sailors to train with other similarly skilled sailors to progress their skills.
• Access to coaching from VIODA at major regattas including the National Championships, State Championships and other key regattas.
• Being part of a team environment to create social networks and to foster positive sailing ambitions.

Apart from obtaining access to these benefits, becoming a member of VOST / VODS comes with an important responsibility. VOST / VODS members are required to act as good role models and offer support and encouragement to other junior sailors. Further, while all members of VOST / VODS compete against each other they also help each other to raise their sailing standards. Fun and camaraderie are encouraged and good sportsmanship is expected at all times.

VIODA is a voluntary, non-profit association. All VOST / VODS costs and expenses are required to be funded by the members of the team. Fees for regatta support will be advised prior to any coached event and will reflect the cost to VIODA divided evenly by the team members participating.

It is worth noting that travel and accommodation is to be arranged by each participant and their family and the associated costs will accordingly be incurred directly by them and reflect their personal choices. Where possible we will work together with the coaching group to try to keep these costs as low as possible.

THE VOST AND VODS SELECTION CRITERIA FOR 2024-25

The VOST will be limited to a maximum of 8 Open Fleet sailors.

The VODS team will be limited to a maximum of 8 Open Fleet sailors.

The selection of the VOST and the VODS will be on a top down ranking approach whereby the top 8 sailors in Open Fleet according to the Selection Criteria will be offered a place in the VOST. After the VOST has been filled, the next 8 ranked sailors in Open Fleet based on the Selection Criteria will be offered a place in the VODS.

Selection for the VOST or VODS will be based on upon results in Open Fleet at the Selection Events.

Selection Events for VOST and VODS

Results in the following Selection Events and their weighting will be used to calculate ranking for both the VOST and the VODS:

• 50% - 2025 Optimist National Championships;
• 20% - 2024 Sail Melbourne; and
• 30% - 2025 Victorian State Championship

Note: Weighting and/or events may change if any events are cancelled.

VOST Selection Criteria

The first six selections in VOST are automatic selections calculated based upon results in Open Fleet at the Selection Events.

The next two selections in VOST will be made at the discretion of the VIODA Selection Committee using the following criteria:

• Results in the Selection Events;
• Commitment shown to training and racing;
• Coaches’ report of skills; and
• Potential to learn and improve when put in the VOST environment.

Additional Criteria for VOST Selection

To be considered for one of the 8 positions on the VOST a sailor must:

• be eligible to compete in the next Optimist nationals; and
• Must exhibit the following values:
  • good sportsmanship;
  • role model for younger sailors in the sport; and
  • hold a respectful attitude towards coaches during regattas and training camps.

VOST Legends

In addition to the VOST selection, the VIODA Selection Committee may offer up to two positions to sailors as “VOST Legends”. The VOST Legends are those sailors who:

• were in the VOST for the previous season;
• are unable to join the VOST due to the fact that they are unable to compete at the next Optimist National Championships (aging out);
• competed in the Selection Events and if not for the fact they are aging out, would have qualified for the VOST;
• have been selected for an Australian Optimist Sailing Team (AOST) or Australian Optimist Development Squad (AODS) regatta before the end of the calendar year; and
• commit to training with the VOST in preparation for their AOST or AODS regatta.

VODS Selection Criteria

The first six selections in VODS are automatic selections calculated based upon results in Open Fleet at the Selection Events.

The next two selections in VODS will be made at the discretion of the VIODA Selection Committee using the following criteria:

• Results in the Selection Events;
• Commitment shown to training and racing;
• Coaches’ report of skills; and
• Potential to learn and improve when put in the VODS environment

Additional Criteria for VODS Selection

To be considered for one of the 8 positions on the VODS a sailor must:

• be eligible to compete in the next Optimist nationals; and
• Must exhibit the following values:
  • good sportsmanship;

o        role model for younger sailors in the sport; and

o        hold a respectful attitude towards coaches during regattas and training camps.

VIODA Selection Committee

The VIODA Selection Committee will be made up of three people being:

• The VIODA Head Coach (or other Coach appointed by the VIODA Committee); and
• Two people with knowledge of the Victorian optimist fleet (either parents often on the water or coaches that have coached in regattas during the season.).

The VIODA Selection Committee members must have no conflict of interest.

The VIODA Selection Committee must be agreed by a vote of the VIODA Committee. The recommendation of the VIODA Selection committee will be put to a vote of the VIODA committee.

The VIODA Committee reserves the right to amend and re-publish this Selection Protocol at any time and for any reason.

VIODA reserves the right to amend and re-publish this Selection Criteria at any time and for any reason.

The VIODA Committee - Sept 2024