Horning Sailing Club reach final five for RYA Club of the Year
by Robert Hancock 2 Mar 2015 13:37 GMT
28 February - 1 March 2015
Horning Sailing Club (RYA Club of the Year finalist) members at the RYA Suzuki Boat Show © HSC
Horning Sailing Club reaches RYA Club of the Year Finals 2015 –
A report on a memorable day
On Saturday 28th February 2015, 60 members from Horning Sailing Club, Norfolk took a very special trip to the RYA Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace for the Finals of RYA Club of the Year 2015. The Royal Yachting Association's Club of the Year Awards are aimed at "recognising and promoting the outstanding achievements of the amazing array of people who work together to create vibrant clubs across the UK and keep our sports alive."
With well over 1000 Clubs nationally, to reach the final five is a huge achievement, made even more special by the fact that it is the second time in two years that the club has received such an honour.
Priding itself on being friendly, accessible and affordable, and run entirely by volunteers, Horning's true team spirit shone through with incredible support from its members – and the largest cheer! Although in the final the Club did not win overall - the award going to another Eastern Club and two-time finalist, Brightlingsea Sailing Club - it is still an amazing achievement and the day was very much enjoyed by members.
Club Treasurer Peter Goshawk emphasised what the Award means to the Club saying "It means a lot to our members, we're very proud of the fact that we've got through to this level."
Many members took part in a number of activities over the day, including the 'Horning Dinghy Show Challenge' that involved completing a number of tasks such as getting a photograph with somebody famous - which resulted in several young members meeting Olympic sailor Nick Thompson, having their picture taken with a Guinness World Record Certificate (HSC having been part of Bart's Bash World Record Attempt) and having a go on the Sailing Simulator or Trapeze.
2014 Commodore and RYA Training Centre Principal Robert Hancock commented, "we're really pleased to have reached the final five for the second year running. Although we're disappointed not to win, our enthusiastic members have been incredibly supportive of the club and we hope that gaining this second accolade will prove to be a fantastic start to the 2015 season."