Regatta Reimbursement through the Dr. Bill Healy Scholarship Fund

The Niantic Bay Sailing Academy (NBSA) has established a scholarship fund in honor of the late Dr. J. William "Bill" Healy, a legendary figure in the local sailing community. The Dr. Bill Healy Scholarship Fund aims to provide financial assistance to deserving young sailors who wish to further their skills and passion for sailing at the NBSA. The Fund is a testament to Dr. Healy’s unwavering dedication to sailing and his significant contributions to the Niantic Bay Yacht Club (NYBC).

About Dr. Bill Healy

Dr. Bill Healy was a mainstay at the Niantic Bay Yacht Club, having been a member since the 1940s. He was a champion sailor in 505s, Lightnings, and cruising classes, showcasing his exceptional talent on the water. His love for sailing was evident in the time he dedicated to the sport and his endless enthusiasm for sharing this passion with others. Dr. Healy was a major contributor to the NBYC board, and he held the position of Rear Commodore for five years.

Dr. Healy's legacy extends beyond the walls of the NBYC, as he was a true advocate for sailing education throughout the community. He volunteered countless hours, sharing his knowledge and passion with young sailors, inspiring them to pursue their dreams on the water. His commitment to the sport was also evident in his competitive spirit, as he participated in numerous sailing regattas and events throughout his life, garnering several accolades along the way.

Who Should Apply for the Regatta Reimbursement Grants?

In short, all racers! In honor of Dr. Healy’s unwavering commitment to sailing and his passion for racing sailboats, the Fund is available to all NBSA racers to encourage participation at regattas both within the Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association (“ECSA”) and outside of the ECSA. The regatta reimbursement grants will assist sailors by providing regatta entrance fee reimbursements as well as costs and expenses that may be related to larger or regional/national (non-ECSA Junior) regattas as discussed in greater detail below.

ECSA Regular Season Junior Regattas – “Three for Free”

The generosity of donors to the Fund permits the NBSA to foster ECSA Junior Regatta participation by offering our NBSA sailors up to “Three for Free.” Sailors may use the below form to submit for regatta reimbursement grants for either two ECSA Junior Regatta entrance fees or three ECSA Junior Regatta entrance fees if one of the regattas is the Larry White Regatta held at NBYC. There are no other requirements – register for the regattas, participate in the regattas, and submit through the linked form for reimbursement of entrance fees from the NBSA! Please submit only once, after you have completed the two or three regattas as applicable.

Student Name:

First Name

Last Name

Date of Birth:

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Parent/Guardian:

First Name

Last Name

Address:

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone:

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Email

What were the ECSA's regattas sailed and the regatta entrance fee paid?

Regatta Reimbursement Grants for non-ECSA Junior Regattas

The Fund also permits the NBSA to foster youth sailing participation at regattas beyond those Regular Season ECSA Junior Regattas including participation in other local, regional and national regattas on any class of boats (not just those for which the NBSA provides instruction). The goal and purpose of these regatta reimbursement grants is to ensure that NBSA supports our NBSA sailors’ experiences at larger regattas in various classes of boats and fosters the expansion of the sailing experience for all NBSA sailors when possible. These grants can include both regatta fees (not need-based) as well as costs and expenses (need-based) where appropriate and within the discretion of the scholarship committee.

To apply for these Regatta Reimbursement Grants for non-ECSA Junior Regattas, please fill out the form below or here. These grant applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis by the scholarship committee.

Student Name:

First Name

Last Name

Date of Birth:

MM

DD

YYYY

Parent/Guardian:

First Name

Last Name

Address:

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone:

(###)

###

####

Email

What was the regatta sailed and the regatta entrance fee paid?

If you are also requesting costs and/or expenses reimbursement for the same regatta, please share how paying these costs and/or expenses might be difficult for your family and why your student is a good candidate for a regatta reimbursement grant for these costs and/or expenses.

NBSA, through the Fund, honors the incredible life and contributions of a man who devoted himself to sailing and the betterment of the community. His memory will live on through the countless lives he touched and the young sailors who will continue to benefit from his dedication to the sport.

NBSA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based at the Niantic Bay Yacht Club in Niantic, CT.

We offer a 4 or 8 week summer program providing instruction for ages 7 – 17. All abilities are welcome – from beginner sailors to those who seek more competitive racing. Classes meet several times per week for several hours depending on ability. Participants must be able to pass a swim test before they can begin sailing. Boats are provided.

Full or partial scholarships for the 4 or 8 week summer sailing program are available to students. We are especially seeking local youth who may not have otherwise been exposed to sailing, a sport which offers camaraderie, fun, competition and the development of lifelong skills.

We hope that the experiences gained through the NBSA program can encourage youth to make sailing a lifelong passion, whether it be cruising, competitive racing, day sailing, or just enjoying the outdoors on the water.

To apply for a full or partial scholarship, please complete the Dr. Bill Healy Scholarship Fund Application by May 1.

Return the completed form and direct any questions to:

Ken Shluger
Niantic Bay Sailing Academy
PO Box 884
Niantic, CT 06357

Or scan and email to NBSA@NBYC.org.

You will be notified by May 10.