A NAUTICAL teenager has become the first Youth and Junior Commodore – and the first female Commodore – at Draycote Water Sailing Club.
Millie Irish, 16 – whose grandparents were founding members of the club – was voted to the new post by fellow Youth and Junior club members.
The club decided to have a second Commodore – a nautical term for the head of the club – to lead the younger members.
With all of the 52-year-old club’s 19 Commodores having been male, Millie has also become the first female at the club to have the title.
Millie, who lives in Stretton-on-Dunsmore, has been sailing all her life. Her best result was 6th out of 200 at the Feva World Championships in Italy in 2019. She has also been the Draycote Water Sailing Club Champion.
Millie said: “I am so pleased to have been elected as Draycote Water Sailing Club’s first ever Youth and Junior Commodore and also to be the Club’s first ever female Commodore.
“The Club and its amazing staff and volunteers have inspired and helped me with my sailing over many years and it’s a real honour to have the chance to give something back.
“The Club is already a fantastic place for youth and junior sailors and we’re all really looking forward to making the most of this new opportunity for us to have our own Youth and Junior committee.”
Three other Youth and Junior committee members were also elected – Rugby residents Sam Byrd and Jessica Powell, and Clemmie Middle who lives in south Warwickshire.
Draycote Water Sailing Club’s Youth and Junior fleet holds junior learn-to-sail courses, improver fun sessions, races, and the Draycote Academy which offers high level racing training.
