What is REBELS Crew?

“I’ve been learning to sail for one year, usually here at West Reservoir [London], but sometimes I go to Portsmouth, Cowes and Southampton” “On a boat you wouldn’t normally see an Asian girl with a headscarf, but it’s nice having people look at you and see that a Muslim person is taking part.”

Rickma, 17

“My teacher told us about sailing in an assembly and it showed me all the opportunities I could have. Since that day it really inspired me and made me want to do sailing” “I have been sailing for about 6 months and I showed my parents my RYA certificates and they were super proud.”

Victor, 16

“I didn’t really know much about sailing before I came to this, because where I am from you usually take part in football and basketball. But I love it, it is probably the best experience I’ve ever had. I played football for many years, but sailing is by the far the best sport” “When I am doing nothing at the weekend, I can come here and sail. I would recommend sailing to everyone, it is one of the most underrated sports I’ve ever taken part in.” “Sailing has taught me teamwork and communication, a lot of things I wouldn’t have been able to learn in the classroom”

Azart, 17

“[In sailing] There are so many different people from different walks of life. It has been great to work alongside them. My parents love the fact that I have a new hobby that takes me to lots of different places”

Gavin, 16

One student was very shy and did not have any self confidence before starting. She took part in little sport and was not very interested in attending extra curricular. She is now a confident speaker and enjoys taking part in sailing and PE. Both her teachers and parents have seen a real change in her character, and she has really improved her self-esteem

Chief Instructor, Plymouth Youth Sailing

Before taking part in the Rebels Sailing programme I would have never considered joining an after school club, but now I feel much more confident and I have joined a kick-boxing club.

Pupil, Sir John Hunt Community College, Plymouth

As I have said all along the 1851 scheme has to be probably the best sailing project that I have worked on and it has clearly opened the doors of sailing and watersports to loads and loads of young people who would not have otherwise had the chance to try our sport and to get involved with our amazing sport. I feel sure that some of the people that we have been working with at the centre will come back again for work experience and who knows later on will become instructors or will take up other roles in the sailing and watersports industry

Senior Instructor, Liverpool Watersports

I just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you for the amazing Project you recently completed with our students. They enjoyed their time immensely with you but more importantly, it has facilitated the building of positive relationships between staff and students allowing us to work more effectively with our extremely complex cohort. It has also raised the self esteem of several of the students on the course, allowing them to reflect more purposefully on themselves, their choices and their positive impact on their community (both within and outside school). I sincerely believe that these opportunities are invaluable in the development of the 'whole child' and welcome any opportunities like this. Please let us know if there are any further opportunities for work with your team as we will be jumping at the chance.

Head of School, Kingfisher School, Redditch, Birmingham