Joff McGill takes the helm of RYA Sailability
by Susie Nation-Grainger, RYA 28 Oct 2016 11:17 BST
28 October 2016
Joff McGill takes the helm of RYA Sailability © RYA
The RYA is delighted to announce that Joff McGill has been appointed as the new RYA Sailability Manager, following the retirement of Debbie Blachford who after a successful 23 years leading RYA Sailability will be leaving in December.
Joff joins the RYA after 23 years with Sense, a national charity that supports people who are deafblind and those with hearing impairments or complex needs, to enjoy more independent lives. In that time Joff has managed programmes and events and worked with many families, individuals and groups across the country.
In his role as RYA Sailability Manager, Joff will be responsible for developing regular participation for disabled people in sailing and windsurfing. This includes supporting the 220 UK Sailability sites, managing the regional team of Sailability Disability Development Officers and delivering programmes and initiatives aimed at recruiting and retaining participants and volunteers within the sport.
Joff said; "Sailability is such a well-developed and respected programme, so I'm really looking forward to working with the RYA and can't wait to get going. All too often we see people in terms of disability - Sailability is so inspiring because it enables people to be seen as sailors, windsurfers, power boaters, or just people who love mucking around on the water.
"I'm excited to be part of the creation of yet more opportunities and can't wait to visit clubs and centres up and down the country. It'll be great to meet the staff and volunteers who make it all happen and find out what we can do together to further increase access to sailing."
Joff is also a keen sailor. Growing up in Lymington he learnt to sail in a Mirror dingy, has worked as a dinghy instructor and is currently an RYA powerboat instructor. He now occasionally races his Laser at Keyhaven Yacht Club when he's not busy supporting his three children competing at events in their Optimists.
Find out more about RYA Sailability here.