The importance of leadership and team bonding was the foundation of this year’s Head Instructor Workshop on June 11th at Rye Country Day School, attended by 26 head instructors and other program leaders from 16 junior sailing programs. Presenters Brendan Feeney, Clemmie Everett, Carrie Donahue, and TJ Danilek shared their insights on how to lead junior sailors and instructor staff effectively. This event was organized by Melissa Wirth, the Junior Sailing Chair at American Yacht Club. 

The resources from the workshop may be viewed at this link, including the agenda, slides and handouts.

Brendan Feeney connected his experience as Fordham University’s sailing coach to managing athletes and staff with an emphasis on constructive communication and a positive approach to behavioral correction. “Coaching has become more of a relationship,” Feeney said, highlighting how effective coaching and team management has transformed into leading with empathy, not simply being an experienced sailor. 

Complementing this approach, consulting counselor Carrie Donahue discussed how to react to stressors as a head instructor, managing junior sailors, a team of instructors, and more. Donahue effectively outlined the 6 C’s of Nurturing Young People (Connection, Competence, Contribution, Caring, Character, Confidence), and why knowing these six actions are necessary for a successful summer of coaching. 

Clemmie Everett, educator at Rye Country Day School, led two interactive workshops designed to help participants identify and refine their individual leadership styles. Through self-reflection, Everett challenged the head instructors to consider how their personal communication methods ripple through their entire staff. She began with a workshop titled “Finding Your Leadership Style,” in which participants identified themselves as being an Analyst and Architect, Driver, Relationship Master, or Spontaneous Motivator. She also had instructors sort themselves into groups based on their preferences in group work, and encouraged them to see the value in other leadership styles. 

TJ Danilek, assistant sailing director at American Yacht Club, facilitated a four-person panel with Lawrence McGrath, TJ Stoker, Chip Kreuzkamp, and Brendan Feeney focused on Adventure Sailing and keeping older sailors engaged. The panel explored how diversifying a club’s offerings beyond traditional racing programs by integrating big boats or wind foiling could keep older junior sailors excited to return to the water each summer.

Danilek followed the panel with a practical session detailing the “Nuts and Bolts of a Solid Training Week.” This presentation provided a blueprint for balancing technical preparation for the summer with team-building activities.

Ultimately, success on the water this summer will be defined by the culture built by head instructors and program leaders. Fostering trust, embracing diverse leadership styles, and keeping the sport engaging for sailors of all ages is necessary to navigating a safe, successful, and relationship-driven summer on the Sound.