Applications invited for RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year 2019 supported by Gallagher

2018 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year winners Notts County Sailing Club © RYA

Last year the RYA and Yachts & Yachting joined forces to recognise the outstanding achievement of sailing clubs across the UK through the Club of the Year award.

Applications are now open for RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year 2019 supported by Gallagher and this year there are even more opportunities for your club to be part of it.

For the first time the RYA Awards Panel will select a finalist for each of the ten RYA regions as well as two 'wild card' entries.

During this shortlisting stage, the panel will provide five clubs with the following recognitions which throw the spotlight firmly onto the core values for any successful sailing club.

'Innovative and forward thinking' – recognition for a club who makes a break from traditional ways of running a club or delivering boating activity. This could be delivering activities at different times of the week, day or year, or organising different formats of training or racing to engage with new participants, etc.

'Inclusive and open to all' – recognition for a club or project which has been impactful in developing participation amongst people with disabilities or from other under-represented or disadvantaged groups

'Fantastic facilities' – recognition for a club who has undertaken facility developments and has been creative and resourceful in the design, minimised environmental impact, and/or shown innovation in securing funding and provision of club facilities

'Boosting membership' – recognition for a club that has delivered the most impactful participation project, the outcomes of which are, attracting and retaining new participants and growing their membership

'Embracing modern communications' – recognition for a club that has embraced the use of modern communications, e.g. social media platforms or who have been proactive and forward thinking in their communications and marketing using websites, local press, radio etc.

All 12 finalist clubs will then go through to a public vote with the overall winner selected by RYA members, Yachts & Yachting readers and the Panel. The winner will be announced at the RYA Dinghy Show in March.

RYA Director of Sport Development Alistair Dickson said "We are delighted to continue to work with Yachts & Yachting and Gallagher with the Club of the Year awards. They are a fantastic way to encourage, reward, learn from and share examples of best practice within our sailing community.

"We have learnt over the years that each club is different and all have their different strengths so we hope even more clubs will give it a go this year. You never know, your club could be the next Club of the Year."

For more information about the RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year 2019 and how to apply visit rya.org.uk/cluboftheyear