RYA Scotland Award Winners shine at the Glasgow Science Centre
by Claire Caffrey, RYA Scotland 2 Feb 2015 19:03 GMT
31 January 2015
RYA Scotland Annual Awards winners © Marc Turner / RYA Scotland
A number of Scottish sailors received top honours on Saturday evening (31 January 2015) at the Glasgow Science Centre as the Royal Yachting Association Scotland (RYA Scotland) recognised the achievements and outstanding commitment of Scotland's volunteers, coaches, instructors, officials, clubs and performance sailors.
As many as eight sailors and one Scottish sailing club were surprised on the evening as they were announced as the winners and took to the stage to collect their well-deserved awards. The first to take to the stage was the RYA Scotland Club of the Year sponsored by Thames Water Commercial Services. John Sim was delighted to accept the award on behalf of Dalgety Bay Sailing Club.
"It is fantastic to be able to take this award back and show all the hard work and battling through all the challenges we inevitably face were all worth it" commented John when being presented the award by Alan Munro, Sales Manager for Thames Water Commercial Services.
The RYA Scotland Volunteer of the Year award sponsored by Clyde Challenger is always one that poses a difficult decision for the awards judging panel such is the amount of work done across the country by such a high number of people and this year was no different. It was Robert Gordon from Nairn Sailing Club who was named the winner after volunteering for his club for over 20 years in a variety of roles.
"Quite humbled really because although I have volunteered for any years for many things, without a band of volunteers, you can't do it all on your own. I really feel quite humbled receiving the award" said Robert after receiving the award from Glenn Porter of Clyde Challenger. When asked why he thinks awards like these are important to volunteers in sailing he said:
"It acknowledges people who have helped sailing in general and I think it gives them a little lift. It will certainly give me club, Nairn Sailing Club, a bit of a boost".
Nikki Stewart also took to the stage for her outstanding commitment to the sport for a number of years when she was announced as winner of the Elizabeth Mackay award for female endeavours in sailing. The 28 year old Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club sailor is a member of a number of committees and has been on RYA Scotland Council and committees for a number of years. Shaping the development plans and strategies for the sport is not the most glamourous of jobs when your passion is being out on the water but Nikki has worked hard in this area from a very young age.
"It's nice to feel recognised for the work that you do. Everyone puts in a lot of time and the sport wouldn't be what it is if it wasn't for all the volunteers" said Nikki after stepping off the stage.
The RYA Scotland Instructor of the Year sponsored by Clipper Round the World Yacht Race was taken home by another Helensburgh sailor from Cove Sailing Club. David Cusworth, Crew Recruitment and Development Director from Clipper Ventures, presented a very shocked Arlene with her award.
"A very big shock to the system! I don't know who has nominated me but I'm very surprised and very grateful for this award" said Arlene at the end of the evening after having a chance to take in the news.
Another young woman who was honoured on the night was the RYA Scotland Coach of the Year also sponsored by the Clipper Race, Laurie MacDonald. Laurie wasn't able to be there on the night to collect her award but her acceptance video was shown and her dad was proud to collect it on her behalf. Laurie was busy doing what she does best, braving the bitter winter weather to coach the UK's best young Optimist sailors down on the south coast.
A new award for this year was the RYA Scotland Official of the Year sponsored by the Clipper Race and it was John Readman from Clyde Cruising Club who took the honours on the night. Well known across a number of Scottish sailing events and in particular the Scottish Series, John was chosen for his commitment and helping to develop other officials and therefore securing the future of events across Scotland.
The last three awards of the evening focussed on the performance programme for Scottish sailors and their achievements during the 2014 season. First to be announced was Cumbernauld youngster Hannah Scott who clinched the RYA Scotland Class Academy Sailor of the Year award sponsored by Caledonian MacBrayne.
"The Class Academies have been a brilliant pathway for myself and all my friends I sail with. I wouldn't be where I am today without the benefit of this training. I would like to thank Calmac for sponsoring the award and to all their staff who always end up pulling my boat up the slipway for me in Largs and Cumbrae" said Hannah during her acceptance speech shown by video on the night. Hannah was of course down in Weymouth putting into practice all the skills she has been learning at the Class Academies in Scotland.
The RYA Scotland Youth Sailor of the Year award sponsored by Caledonian MacBrayne was another hotly contested category given the long list of successes and titles secured by a number of sailors across a range of classes. Calum Rosie from Helensburgh Sailing Club was announced as the winner and his dad, Neil Rosie, was exceptionally pleased to collect it from Guy Dale Smith, Head of Marine for Calmac, on his behalf.
Calum was also shortlisted for the RYA Scotland Performance of the Year award also sponsored by Caledonian MacBrayne but it was Lorenzo Chiavarini originally from Balloch who clinched this one, the final award of the evening to be announced. Lorenzo's acceptance video was shown on the night showing him the boat park and palm trees in the background. He was of course out in Miami competing with the GB Sailing Team.
His parents Andrea and Sheina were there to collect his award on his behalf which was very fitting as Lorenzo named them as being the key to his success throughout his sailing career.
"Awards like these are very important to us as an organisation because our sport simply couldn't happen without the hard work, knowledge and outstanding contributions from our volunteers, coaches, instructors, officials and clubs. Tonight is our opportunity to give recognition to all those people and say thank you for supporting our sport" said RYA Scotland Chairman Tony Gorzkowski.
The evening of celebrations was rounded off by an inspiring talk from Clipper Race Skipper Sean McCarter. The Irish skipper talked about his experience of leading his team in their race around the world, many of whom hasn't stepped on board a yacht before undertaking their Clipper training. He talked about the search and recovery of a man overboard of one of his team in the Pacific Ocean, a rescue that saw him awarded the American Cruising Club Rod Stephens Trophy for acts of seamanship that significantly contributes to safety. Sean's talk was a fantastic close to what had already been an evening of inspirational stories across a range of sailing and boating.
For more information about sailing in Scotland please visit www.ryascotland.org.uk.
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