PAUL Anderson made a splash with Tees and Hartlepool Club after presenting the title of Volvo Royal Yachting Association Champion Club status at their Summer Regatta.

General manager of Mill Volvo, Anderson had the honour of presenting the award in recognition of the club's first class youth sailing coaching and race training programmes.

He said: "The Volvo Royal Yachting Association Champion Club is one of the highest accolades from Volvo Sailing to recognise those with a commitment to youth sailing and race coaching.

"It's an award that is richly deserved by Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club as it has developed a superb record since it's opening in 1998, of encouraging young sailors and windsurfers at the grass roots level to stay in the sport and learn to compete at the highest level."

The celebration for the presentation event also featured races for the OK sailing dinghy world qualifier series and more than 50 dinghy crews from around the globe competed to test out their strength, skill and co-ordination abilities. To mark the occasion the British land speed record holder, the Volvo S60 and the new Volvo V70 Cross Country were also on display.

Tees and Hartlepool Commodore Bill Todd said: "Many of the young sailors from the Hartlepool area are our racing sailors of the future. By achieving Volvo RYA Champion Club status we are supported by a programme and resources which will help us put the North-East on the sailing map. Who knows, we may even have one of our young sailors at the next Olympics in Greece."

June Boagey, event co-ordinator, said: "Our ultimate goal is to increase Britain's medal wins in international regatta and build on the public support shown for young British sailors like Ellen MacArthur whose Vendee Globe challenge prompted huge interest in the sport."

The Volvo RYA Champion Club scheme is a key part of the RYA Youth Initiative that has received £1m per annum support from Sport England for four years. It is a gold standard for sailing clubs, recognising those with a commitment to youth sailing and race coaching.

Tough criteria must be met by the Volvo Royal Yachting Association Champion Club winner:

l Youth Membership must be open and affordable.

l Male and female racing coaches for youth sailors.

l Two Junior and Youth fleets of dinghies or board available for youth members.

l A social programme for young members.

l Racing and competitive opportunity for young members.

l Suitable Sailing area and safety arrangements.