A Smarter Path to Sailing Excellence

We at SailCoach are leading the way in developing high-performance sailing programmes for both Optimist and ILCA sailors. We believe the future of top sailing athletes lies in programmes that combine education with quality time on the water, supported by the right coaching, environment, and structure, much like what other leading sports have done for decades. At SailCoach, we bring these elements together by integrating academic education with a focused, high-performance sailing programme.

The SailCoach Academy offers a complete pathway for young sailors who want to take their development seriously. By integrating school, training, and physical preparation into one programme, athletes benefit from continuity, routine, and a clear progression in both their sailing and their studies.

While natural talent will always play a role in sport, success at the highest level depends on far more than ability alone. It requires expert coaching, consistent daily training, strong and competitive training partners, and an environment that challenges athletes to improve every day.

Equally important is structure. Athletes benefit from a programme where training, recovery, and education are aligned, allowing for steady progression over time rather than short bursts of improvement. At SailCoach, we believe this balance is what develops not just better sailors, but more complete athletes, capable of reaching their full potential both on and off the water.

The Academy is delivered in collaboration with leading educational institutions in Malta, including the Mediterranean College of Sport and St Edward’s College, or with online learning. This gives student athletes the opportunity to follow recognised academic pathways while committing to a structured, high-performance sailing programme based at our Malta SailBase.

For athletes looking to continue beyond secondary education, we can also support progression into third-level study through the University of Malta, the American University of Malta, or MCAST a vocational college. These pathways allow sailors to continue their academic development while remaining fully integrated within a high-performance training environment, ensuring continuity in both education and sailing.

Why SailCoach?

SailCoach has been at the forefront of professional sailing coaching for over 30 years, the first private coaching organisations in the sport. Our experience has shaped a proven approach to developing athletes at every level, from youth sailors to Olympic campaigns.

We are recognised by World Sailing as a top-tier Approved Training Centre, one of only three worldwide to achieve this standard. Our coaching team brings extensive international experience, with many having competed in Olympic campaigns, alongside strong academic backgrounds, including degree and postgraduate qualifications.

SailCoach has a long track record of success at youth level, particularly in the ILCA class, producing multiple World and European champions. The programme has also contributed to four Olympic medals, reflecting the strength of our coaching pathway and long-term athlete development.

Accommodation Options

We offer three accommodation options to suit different ages, preferences, and levels of independence. Athletes can choose a traditional boarding school setup, fully integrated with their academic programme, providing a structured and supportive environment.

For older or more independent athletes, there is the option to live with other sailors in shared, self-catering apartments located close to the training venue. These are organised and supervised by SailCoach staff, creating a safe and team-oriented living environment.

Parents are also welcome to arrange their own local accommodation and stay with their children while they are part of the programme, offering additional flexibility for families who prefer to remain closely involved.

Our programme includes:

• Two after-school training sessions each week

• Two weekend training sessions

These sessions bring together young sailors from MCS, St Edward’s College, and SailCoach’s broader athlete group, creating a dynamic and competitive training environment. This integrated approach helps students develop essential life skills such as discipline, time management, and resilience, preparing them for success both in sport and in their future careers.

Academic Excellence: A and O Levels

Academic Pathways for Young Sailors

At SailCoach Academy we believe in challenging young athletes aged 13 / 19 with demanding academic programmes that match their ambitions on the water. In partnership with two leading Maltese schools, our students can follow qualifications respected by universities worldwide while enjoying timetables flexible enough to accommodate daily training.

Both routes fit perfectly with SailCoach’s philosophy of educating the whole person, physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, intellectually and ethically. With small classes, individual support and seamless coordination between teachers and coaches, our students stay on track academically while pushing hard to reach their sailing goals.

For our younger Optimist sailors, we also offer a carefully tailored academic solution through our junior school programme. Students at this stage benefit from attending Mediterranean College of Sport, which provides a high standard of primary and lower secondary education within a supportive and structured environment. The curriculum is designed to promote all around development while allowing time for after school sailing sessions and weekend training. This ensures that even our youngest athletes can begin building strong foundations both academically and on the water, in a setting that nurtures talent, confidence, and a love for learning.

Mediterranean College of Sport: A Unique Educational Approach

Imagine a school where sport and education seamlessly intertwine. At the Mediterranean College of Sport, student-athletes thrive in a vibrant learning environment guided by dedicated professionals. Our independent school for boys and girls aged 11-18 years places sport at the heart of our educational approach to unlock the full potential of our student-athletes.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Our curriculum is:

• Well-balanced and Broad-based: Ensuring continuous progression and outstanding opportunities for students’ academic and personal development.

• Holistic: Helping student-athletes balance academic and sporting development through our Performance Lifestyle programme.

• Deep: Enabling student-athletes to develop their full potential with rigour and resilience.

• Personalised: Responding to the needs of each student-athlete, enhancing their individual talents.

Innovative Teaching Practices​

We believe in inquiry based learning, where student athletes engage in evidence based reasoning and creative problem solving. Our educators are responsive to the learning needs of each student, supporting them to develop critical skills such as:

• Critical thinking

• Citizenship

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Conceptual thinking

Performance Lifestyle Programme

Our Performance Lifestyle programme focuses on the well-being and development of student-athletes. It covers:

• Self-reflection through journaling

• Goal setting, planning, and teamwork

• Time management, communication, and the use of social media

• Well-being, nutrition, and anti-doping

• Emotional intelligence, motivation, mindfulness, and self-care

  

Campus Boarding Facilities

Our boarding facilities provide a supportive environment where student athletes can live, study, and train together, fostering a sense of community and teamwork.

Join Us at SailCoach

Discover the perfect blend of education and sailing with SailCoach’s Boarding School Academy Programme in cooperation with the Mediterranean College of Sport. Prepare for a future where academic excellence and athletic prowess go hand in hand.

For more information, please contact us directly. We look forward to helping you achieve your dreams on and off the water.