RYA Scotland calling Scottish sailors to nominate for annual awards

It is that time of year again when the nights are drawing in, the weather is getting a bit colder and the sailing season is coming to an end. Sailors across Scotland will be reflecting on the year of sailing and boating they have experienced. People taking up the sport for the very first time and the new skills they have learned, the young performance sailors who have brought home national and world titles, the 250 boats and thousands of spectators who witnessed the Commonwealth Flotilla and all the people who have sailed to somewhere different and seen many amazing sights. RYA Scotland is in no doubt that everyone has been reminded of why Scotland is such a fantastic place to get on the water. It is also the time of year where RYA Scotland asks people to get their thinking caps on and nominate volunteers, coaches, instructors, officials and clubs for the RYA Scotland Annual Awards.

Nominations for the awards are open during the month of October on the RYA Scotland website. It only takes a few minutes to complete but without those nominations RYA Scotland wouldn't be able to recognise the efforts of people from all over Scotland and across all types of boating.

"The annual awards are our way of saying a huge thank you to all the people in Scotland who are at the heart of the sport. 2014 has been a successful year. We have seen young Scottish sailors achieve outstanding results both at National and World levels and the Commonwealth Flotilla in the summer saw thousands of people enjoying the sight of boats sailing up the Clyde into Glasgow. None of this is possible without people. The skills and commitment of the volunteers running sailing events and activity all over Scotland are simply outstanding and, through the Annual Awards, we would like to give some recognition for the incredible work they do", commented Claire Caffrey, RYA Scotland Communication and Marketing Manager.

Amongst the awards up for grabs for 2014 are the RYA Scotland Club of the Year sponsored by Thames Water Commercial Services and the RYA Scotland Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Clyde Challenger.

"It is great to have the support from Thames Water Commercial Services for the club award, Clyde Challenger for the volunteer award and other sponsors. Winning or even being shortlisted for the award is such a fantastic achievement for clubs and volunteers in Scotland and without the help of the sponsors it wouldn't be possible for us to run an awards dinner. Thames Water really wanted to help support local communities around Scotland and this is the perfect way to start doing that. The Clyde Challenger Team work extremely hard to give more people the chance to go sailing in Scotland on their ex-Clipper yacht. Volunteers are a huge part of their work force so it is great to have their support in recognising volunteering Scotland-wide".

"The team at Clyde Challenger are delighted to be sponsoring the 'RYA Scotland, Volunteer of the Year Award'. Our Iconic First Generation, ex Clipper Round the world racing yacht is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who help to keep our Clipper 60 running in top condition. Without the volunteer community in Scotland sailing simply wouldn't be the great success it is and we wish all the candidates good luck for the award" said Glenn Porter from Clyde Challenger.

Laura Hall, Marketing Manager from Thames Water Commercial Services said, "We're proud to sponsor the RYA Scotland Club of the Year category and look forward to helping select the winning club."

For more information or to place your nominations go to www.ryascotland.org.uk.

The full list of award categories with nominations open is:

• Club of the Year sponsored by Thames Water Commercial Services
• Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Clyde Challenger
• Young Volunteer of the Year
• Instructor of the Year
• Coach of the Year
• Official of the Year
• Elizabeth MacKay Award – for female endeavours in sailing

RYA Scotland would like to welcome everyone to come along to the Annual Awards Dinner to help celebrate all those shortlisted and winners of the awards on Saturday 31 January 2015 at the Glasgow Science Centre. It will be our last year at the Glasgow Science Centre before we move on to a different venue so make sure you don't miss out! Tickets will be available to purchase very soon for the dinner and details of how to purchase them will be posted to www.ryascotland.org.uk but make sure you get the date in your diary.

As well as checking the RYA Scotland website you can also join in on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@RYAScotland) for all the latest news and updates.