AN aspiring young sailor has been recognised for her outstanding development with selection to a prestigious training programme.

Keira Luke, who is a Year 8 pupil at Rydal Penrhos School in Colwyn Bay, was recently called up to the Royal Yachting Association’s Regional Training Group – Feva (Midlands), for their 2020/21 winter coaching initiative.

This recognises her potential to progress within the British Sailing Team, with the aim of winning selection to the UK Youth Squads or beyond into the RYA’s Olympic Development programmes.

Keira attained selection to the programme on the basis of performance and commitment to training and competition over a period of several years. This establishes her status as a British Youth sailor with the potential to represent Great Britain at major international events in the coming years.

This is the latest in a series of exceptional achievements from Keira, who took up sailing as a Prep School pupil at Rydal Penrhos and has developed into one of the country’s best young prospects.

She is looking to emulate brother and 2018 leaver Ewan Luke, who was also a Team GB sailor during his time at the school.

The commitment required to achieve the objectives of the programme will increase significantly for Keira in the coming months, and she will be supported by the school to balance these alongside her academic studies.

The training weekends are set to be intense and will include time on the water, fitness training, classroom-based theory sessions and work with specialist support staff and coaches.

Keira has acquired a wealth of experience in a sailing capacity in recent years, which has resulted in regional and national competition achievements, in addition to Welsh squad selections and even winning the U18 General Handicap Fleet alongside fellow pupil Freddie MacLaverty at the British Youth Sailing Welsh Regional Championships despite their tender age.