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Writer's picturePhil Packer

Former GB Yachtswoman & Youth 29er Head Coach, Alice Masterman, supports the BRIT Ambassador family

We are delighted that Alice is part of our BRIT Ambassador family and championing the annual BRIT Challenge to support and improve young adult and student mental health and fitness throughout the UK.


Alice is a a former British Sailing Team sailor, the Youth 29er Head Coach and member of the Women's Sport Trust.

Alice’s successes included two bronze medals in the 29er class at the World Championships in 2013 and 2014 and three Ladies National Championship titles with former helm, Ruth Allan.

“I am thrilled to continue to be part of the BRIT Ambassador family to help support and improve young adult mental health and fitness throughout the UK.


As a former student at the University of Southampton, an online student at Oxford Brookes University and having completed a Mental Health First Aid course, I know that many students and young adults are experiencing mental health difficulties and, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers continue to rise. It is vital that students and young adults receive the right support when they need it and they know where to find it.


One of the reasons why I am continuing to support the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) as a BRIT Ambassador is because of their vision to collaborate and unite the charity, education and sport sectors through the delivery of their annua feelgood February fundraiser. I know students will want to take part in the BRIT Challenge when they are made aware that every team is being invited to choose a second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, in order to support local, regional and national charities throughout the UK.


We need every UK university, college and Students’ Union to embrace the BRIT Challenge and promote the opportunity for students and staff of all abilities to take part; either on campus or at home. The BRIT Challenge has been designed to be inclusive and there are many ways to take part including hand-cycling, cycling, wheelchair pushing, swimming, walking, jogging, running, rowing or paddling (canoeing, kayaking or paddle-boarding).

I look forward to encouraging students and staff at the University of Southampton and Oxford Brookes University to take on the annual BRIT Challenge. I will also urge fellow Great Britain sailors to unite with me and join the BRIT Ambassador family so that together we can support as many university and college students as possible.”

Alice learnt to sail at Papercourt Sailing Club and Hayling Island.


Her many successes include two bronze medals in the 29er class at the World Championships in 2013 and 2014 and three Ladies National Championship titles with former helm, Ruth Allan.


In 2014, Alice took a break from sailing to focus on her degree in Politics and Economics at the University of Southampton. She still competed in other areas of sailing where she won Cowes Week 2018 in the RS Elite and the K6 Nationals in 2016.


Alice made the transition to the FX with Vikki Payne in 2017. They competed at a high level internationally and competed at the Europeans in both 2017 and 2018. Alice’s achievements and improvement were recognised by the British Sailing Team and she represented Great Britain for three years in the Women’s Olympic Class; the 49er FX.

In 2019, Alice started an online Master’s degree in Real Estate Investment and Finance with Oxford Brookes University. Having graduated, in 2020, Alice was awarded a place on the SIOR Foundation Student Real Estate Programme. She enjoys keeping active with cycling and netball. Alice recently competed a Mental Health First Aid Course.


Alice’s sailing experience led her into coaching. She coached the RS Feva class and 29er class for seven years including her role as Head Coach of the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Welsh Feva squad and 29er Class Development squad. As of January 2021, Alice has been the UK 29er Class Head Coach. Her ambition is to create a 50/50 split in the 29er Class and double the amount of female sailors.


Alice is a member of the Women’s Sport Trust Unlocked Programme, where she is surrounded by an impressive group of women sharing their experiences and ideas. Alice’s main focus is to reduce the dropouts experienced with female sailors transitioning from junior to youth classes.


To find out more about the GB Sailing Team, please visit the British Sailing Team website.


To read more about the Women’s Sport Trust, please visit their website.


You can follow Alice on Instagram.

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