CLUB OF THE YEAR
AWARD
In a joint initiative to recognise the outstanding achievements
of clubs across the UK, Y&Y and the RYA have joined forces
to create a special award that you can now vote for!
CAST YOUR VOTE AT YACHTSANDYACHTING.CO.UK/AWARDS
8
CLUB OF THE YEAR Y&Y AWARDS
INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW RYA AND Y&Y
N
ominations for the all-new Club
of the Year Award were received
from sailing clubs up and down
the country in ve categories.
e categories - which throw
the spotlight rmly onto the core values
for any successful sailing club - included
innovation; inclusivity; facility development;
increasing participation; and communication.
Category winners have now been selected
by a panel of judges including double Olympic
medallist and Award ambassador, Saskia
Clark; CEO of the RYA, Sarah Treseder;
and Y&Y Editor, Georgie Corlett-Pitt.
Now it’s your chance to vote for the
overall winner! Head online to nd out
more details about each of the ve clubs.
All ve nalists will be presented on stage
at the RYA Dinghy Show, on 3-4 March
at Alexandra Palace, London, where the
overall winner will also be revealed.
INSPIRING CLUBS
- SASKIA CLARK
“Sailing clubs really
are the backbone of
our sport. They create
the environment in
which many of us fell
in love with sailing, and
are crucial to retaining and increasing
participation. This is important at all levels;
so that we fi nd our future champions,
so that we can all enjoy competitive
club racing, or a cruise in company with
friends - and o the water, to create
a vibrant community. Championing
those that do this well gives motivation
to continue progressing and ideas for
other clubs that might need support.”
SHINING EXAMPLE
Last year, the winner of both the Y&Y
and RYA Club of the Year Awards
was Ullswater SC. Having begun the
year underwater due to fl ooding, club
members rallied to get facilities and
activities on track for the start of the
season, and went on to facilitate over
1000 new people getting on the water
that year. Activities included taster
sessions, RYA Level 1 and 2 courses, and
a series of summer and youth clubs.
The club also drew praise for a major
management restructure, and reversing
a downward trend in membership.
C/O RYA; CHARLIE HEDLEY
26 Yachts & Yachting February 2017 yachtsandyachting.co.uk
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