For the last three years, The Silicon Cup has been a fantastic supporter of Greig City Academy’s Sailing Programme, making a significant difference to the lives of over 250 students from the inner-city London sate school annually.
The programme, which began in 2014, has grown each year, and has now inspired more than 1,000 students. Many of these students have transformed their lives thanks to their involvement in sailing, whether through personal growth, career opportunities, or new passions.
The programme provides a wide range of experiences for students—from inclusive “give it a go” opportunities on beginner dinghies at the local reservoir to competing at national and international events in ILCA (Laser) class and Etchells.
With 96% of the pupils from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities and 65% of the sailors on free school meals, the sailing programme has played a pivotal role in raising the profile of young people of colour in the sailing world. It has opened doors and created opportunities that were previously out of reach for many, providing young people with experiences beyond their wildest dreams.
Life-changing experiences
Two alumni, Jaydon and Kai, offer a glimpse into the transformative impact of the programme.
- Jaydon started sailing at 11. He said: “I was going nowhere with school. But when I started sailing, I saw the point of learning… Sailing has taught me organisation, resilience and the importance of hard work.”
He went on to race the Fastnet when he was just 14 years old. After leaving school, he was selected for UKSA’s cadetship and went on to become a qualified yachtmaster. Today, Jaydon works as permanent crew on a superyacht—a dream that was made possible thanks to the skills and opportunities gained through the Greig City Academy’s Sailing Programme. - Kai, who also started sailing at 11, helmed part of the Fastnet Race at 13. Over the next few years, he honed his skills on a variety of dinghies and keelboats. At 17, Kai won the prestigious Cowes Young Skipper Prize and, in 2024, went on to win the Cowes Week Youth Trophy sailing a Flying Fifteen at Cowes with fellow GCA alumni Jessye.
Described by Sir Ben Ainslie as a “standout talent,” Kai’s success was supported by bespoke coaching funded by The Silicon Cup. This coaching played a crucial role in his being awarded the first-ever internship at the highest level of international racing with Ben Ainslie’s Team Emirates GBR and SailGP teams.
Expanding horizons
The impact of The Silicon Cup’s support extends beyond the marine industry, helping students pursue careers in other fields.
- Hayat gained valuable work experience in an IT company after making a connection through her participation in The Silicon Cup.
- Kean, who has now left school, was recruited into a permanent position at an interior design company through a contact he made at The Silicon Cup Regatta.
These examples show that The Silicon Cup doesn’t just support students in their sailing careers; it also opens doors to a wide variety of career paths, helping students gain fresh perspectives and real-world experience.
Inspiring the next generation
The Greig City Academy Sailing Programme continues to inspire the next generation of sailors. With the ongoing support from The Silicon Cup community, students like Loreto and Max are excited to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.
- Loreto had the opportunity to helm for the first time on Scaramouche at The Silicon Cup Regatta in September 2024. She showed great promise with her sailing skills and has the passion and motivation to keep learning and developing.
- Max has had a personal transformation through sailing. He said: “Sailing has improved my life in many ways, from improving my attendance and punctuality to bettering myself as a person. Sailing gives me motivation to get up every morning and get on with the things I don’t want to do, so I can do what I enjoy every weekend.”
Max can be seen out on the water in all conditions, pushing through challenges and taking every opportunity to improve. His journey has been supported by The Silicon Cup’s bespoke sailing opportunities, which allow the programme to adapt to the needs of passionate students like Max.
The Silicon Cup’s generous funding allows the programme to continue to provide unique and personalised opportunities to students who are ready to commit to their sailing journey and take responsibility for their futures.
Looking ahead
The Greig City Academy’s Sailing Programme, supported by The Silicon Cup, is helping young people unlock their full potential, both on and off the water. Whether it’s providing career opportunities, opening doors to new industries, or fostering a love for sailing, the programme is making a lasting impact on its students.
With continued support from The Silicon Cup, even more students will be inspired to dream big and seize the unique opportunities that the sailing programme creates, changing their lives for the better. We look forward to seeing the incredible journeys of students like Loreto and Max, and many others, who are ready to take the next step toward their futures.
