Partnering with the SailGP Inspire Program

Supporting diversity and accessibility in the sport of sailing

14 July 2021

The University of Plymouth is an official partner of the SailGP Inspire Program– the global league’s education and outreach programme created to increase diversity and accessibility within the sport of sailing.

Plymouth – Britain’s Ocean City – will play host to the world’s most spectacular sail racing as fans witness high-intensity foiling F50 catamarans take flight. In addition to having two action-filled race days on 17–18 July, SailGP Inspire runs alongside the main event as a first-of-its-kind global youth sailing and career programme used as a force for good and a tool to develop life-long skills.

Through Inspire’s three distinct programmes – Learning, Careers, and Racing – SailGP is able to build a future for youth through sustainable sport. Inspire programmes promote climate advocacy through clean energy initiatives, and forge pathways to a more diverse and inclusive sport.

Illustration student creates winning designs for SailGP’s Great Britain Sail Grand Prix merchandise

A student illustrator and animator has won a competition to design the artwork that will appear on SailGP’s Great Britain Sail Grand Prix merchandise, depicting the theme ‘The ocean is our playground – Play & Protect’.

Emma Beavis, who specialises in immersive storytelling, scored highest in the competition to design a T-shirt that celebrates the ocean and all it represents.

The celebration of nature’s essential elements with the ocean playing a central role was the foundation of the brief for the competition.

Ashley Potter, Programme Lead for Illustration, said:

“SailGP’s combination of exciting sport on an international level and its global positive care and concerns for the environment is terrific. External live briefs from top clients such as SailGP are so important to students – as a policy we give every student the opportunity to enter live briefs throughout their studies. These briefs are where students can put their learned practical and research skills with conceptual thinking into real-world scenarios - it raises each student’s game and it’s wonderful to see them rise to the occasion."

Find out more about Emma's winning designs

Emma Beavis' winning artwork

A combination of Smeaton’s Tower, a variety of sea life and the event’s iconic sailing vessels across three striking designs

“I wanted to convey motion by creating a flowing focal point with seagulls guiding you towards Smeaton’s Tower where the boat is heading.”

“It felt important for me to include the team in the design and offer recognition for how they work in harmony with the ocean.”

“Powered by nature and guided by man – a sustainable collaboration.”

Students to be given unique insight into Great Britain Sail Grand Prix

Ten students from the University have been offered the chance to gain valuable learning and development experience when the Great Britain Sail Grand Prix arrives in the city this month.

The students, along with a further six from Plymouth City College, have been chosen for SailGP’s Inspire Careers program, which will enable them to gain exposure in the sport through career pathways such as On-water Operations, Race Management, Ropes and Rigging, Hospitality, Photography & Videography, Boatbuilding, and Sustainability.

Excited and happy to be a part of such a cutting edge event, and my expectations are to be able to see and learn about the workings of the rigging team and be able to meet the people behind it.

Connie Steven, Inspire Ropes & Rigging career candidate

Learn more about the internships

“Events like SailGP really engage with the public in the marine space. If we can use events like this to tell the wider story about sustainability, it will help to raise the profile of the issue.” – Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS

Richard is Professor of Marine Biology and Director of the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth and a world-leading marine scientist at the forefront of pioneering research into the causes and effects of marine litter. He founded and heads the University’s International Marine Litter Research Unit, which has charted the global distribution of microplastics from Arctic sea ice to the deep seas.