ABOUT JESS

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HISTORY OF JESS
By Syd Corser

The first team of six young sailors, together with coach and manager, undertook a three month overseas regatta tour in 1988. They visited the UK and five European countries including one still under Communist control.
Since then, over 21 teams, a total of 126 boys and girls have participated in this unique programme which is the initiative of the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. The opportunity to participate is open to all young sailors, boys and girls, from any club in Western Australia.

The selection process is designed to ensure that those accepted into the team have demonstrated they are worthy, compatible, are of exemplary character and, importantly, are committed to the whole programme. The latter extends to the sailors families whose responsibility it is to share in the effort to raise the balance of the funds dictated by the budget. This is the only way the tour can happen. Although never an easy task, each of the preceding years’ families have undertaken the challenge and succeeded. Almost all have enjoyed the camaraderie and the sense of achievement.

The concept of the JESS Programme belongs to Malcolm (Huck) Scott, a silver medallist in the Melbourne Olympic Games. He competed as forward hand in the 12 sq. metre “Falcon” skippered by Rolly Tasker. After Huck gave up competitive sailing, he took up coaching and then dedicated 20 years of his life to the advancement of junior sailing. He led many junior teams to compete interstate and overseas at national and international levels. It was during these experiences that he came to the realization that there was a need for young sailors from this State to be exposed to international competition on a regular basis. Thus the concept of JESS was born - a team of 6 young sailors under the guidance of a coach manager to prepare and undertake a regatta tour overseas annually.

He wanted the experience for the sailors to be whole and rounded. They should train to improve their sailing; they should be physically fit; they should take a role in the planning of the entire project from insurances, uniforms, air travel arrangements, trophies; and they should help raise the funds to contribute towards the cost of the venture.
Huck chose the International 420 Class because it was a two man boat, the class had an established strong network and was a worldwide association, particularly in Europe and UK. Three boats were considered an optimum number together with a
coaching boat to trail behind a compact bus. Thus the contingent became six sailors plus coach and manager, towing one large trailer.

Huck and Audrey Scott led the first two JESS teams overseas and established the connections and friendships that have been of indeterminable value over the years. Wolfgang Stenz, the German President of the 420 Association and Marianne, his wife, have received our teams every year since 1988 and provided accommodation on arrival. He has also arranged winter storage for our trailer and yachts. Our teams have also been assisted each year by contacts in other countries and cities.

Subsequent teams, coaches and managers have maintained and enhanced these friendships and arrangements. The care and attention to these important relationships cannot be underestimated. This makes it all the more important that each member of the team selected will behave in an exemplary manner representing family, club and nation. The way before has been enhanced by others so it becomes the duty of the current team to do likewise.

Having been involved since its inception, I pay tribute to all who have gone before to establish and strengthen the JESS concept - the first six families who raised all the funds to purchase the original 3 boats, trailer, equipment and spares; Huck and Audrey Scott, John and Jill Cassidy and all the subsequent coaches and managers who have had the onerous task of looking after the respective teams; the generous sponsors who have year after year continued to support the programme; lastly, The Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and the successive Commodores and committees who have continued to believe in the worthiness of JESS and who have wholeheartedly supported it both practically and financially.

There are a number of young men and women in the sailing community who have emerged as outstanding examples in their fields. Some of their success can be linked to their JESS experiences.