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11:49 PM Sat 20 Dec 2008 GMT
.jpg) | | 'Minister James Merlino (centre)'
Bill Bell
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The ISAF Sailing World Cup - Sail Melbourne is in safe hands if Victorian Minister James Merlino has anything to do with it.
The Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth was at Sandringham Yacht Club yesterday, full of praise for the inaugural first leg of the international Sailing World Cup event and Yachting Victoria.
As part of the hugely successful YV Go Sailing and Boating program, funded by the Victorian State Government, Mr Merlino was on hand to present a number of newly accredited instructors with their qualifications and uniforms.
"This has been the best example of programs we run through Sport and Recreation Victoria and I really want to commend Yachting Victoria for the work that you've done with it," Mr Merlino said today.
"I use Yachting Victoria as a stand out example when I'm speaking about programs all over the country .whether it's at an elite level or grassroots level, Yachting Victoria is doing a fantastic job with the likes of their Go Sailing Programs, Sail Melbourne and now with the new ISAF Sailing World Cup event," he enthused.
Yachting Victoria has progressed more than 450 people through the Go Sailing and Boating program in the past 18 months, exceeding both their own expectations and those of the Minister's.
"Across the country, Victoria is ahead on the national average for participation in Sport and Recreation and one of the really important things is that we stay above this national average in participation and it is through programs such as these that we will be able to do that," said Mr Merlino.
With regard to Sail Melbourne and the World Cup, Mr Merlino was equally as enthusiastic.
"It's important to our Major Events calendar that there's a sailing component to it, so in that respect the Brumby Government is quite supportive of Sail Melbourne," Mr Merlino said.
"It's a great opportunity for people to see terrific racing . this is a great event for Victoria and we're quite proud of our sailing program and there's some great plans for the future," he added.
For all of the results from the World Cup visit www.sailmelbourne.com.auor to find out how to get into sailing visit: www.gosailing.com.au
by Jodi Kelly
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