Sunsail names the 2025 Funding the Future winners at Southampton International Boat Show
by Sarah Heron 20 Sep 12:00 BST
Henley Sailing Club Runners Up © Sunsail
Sunsail has announced the winners of its Funding the Future initiative, which champions sailing across the UK by providing financial support to clubs. The winners were announced at a ceremony presented by Dee Caffari MBE on the opening day of the Southampton International Boat Show, held on the Sunsail stand.
Record number of entries
Funding the Future 2025 received a record number of entries from RYA-affiliated sailing and yacht clubs and charities across the UK. Each entry highlighted the dedication and innovation within the sailing community and highlighted the vital role that volunteers play in sailing clubs throughout sailing community.
This year's winners
This year saw Otley Sailing Club from West Yorkshire take the top honour, securing the grand prize of £6,000. Otley Sailing Club received unanimous praise from the judges for its highly scalable and sustainable proposal to use the funding to purchase and refurbish five second-hand Laser dinghies, creating a new "Club Laser" membership scheme that allows members to sail without owning a boat.
With a thriving junior sailing programme, they were keen to get parents on the water, as Rob, their sailing secretary, explained "that's what keeps the family involved with the club for the future".
They will use the cash prize to refurbish old dinghies "and make them available to families who aren't traditionally sailors", making sailing more accessible and affordable for all. The judges appreciated the application for its sustainability credentials while also supporting innovation in membership models.
Dee Caffari, Sunsail ambassador and one of the returning judges for the initiative, says, "I was blown away by the number of applicants this year, it was good to see familiar locations and many new ones. The entries showed there is a real clarity in how diverse our sport is, and how so many clubs and associations have a different perspective on how they are making a difference. It gives me great hope for the future of our sport and I am proud of this collaboration that is helping fund the future."
Wilsonian Sailing Club from Kent was awarded one of the runner-up prizes of £2000 for its proposal to invest in the future of junior sailing, with the funding set to create a dedicated junior clubhouse, new training tools and better coaching facilities, benefiting young sailors, their families, and the wider community.
Accepting the award were Ryan, Sophie, Club Commodore and parent Casper who explained the need for a dedicated training space for juniors and a cradle for practising manoeuvres on land before taking to the water. They plan to use the winter to plan and commission the build in time for the spring season.
Henley Sailing Club was also awarded a runner up prize for its unique entry from 10-year-old club member Charlotte who was accompanied by her brother, James. On the stand, Charlotte and James explained that they often have to take turns sailing a dinghy and using lifejackets, and she wrote a compelling case to use the funds to buy an extra dinghy and children's lifejackets, so more juniors and adults can take part in racing, training, and fun sailing for the small, family-friendly and volunteer-led sailing club based on the River Thames.
She is also keen to improve the cooking facilities at the club for the important post-event BBQ and they were awarded a new set of BBQ tongs!
Katrina Lawson, Sunsail's Head of Brand and Acquisitions, says, 'We were delighted to see a rise in applications for Funding the Future this year. The standard of entries has noticeably advanced, and we were truly impressed by the thought, effort and vision shown by so many clubs. "This initiative is something we care deeply about, as it reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening sailing communities across the UK. Each application demonstrated not only creativity and ambition, but also a clear sense of how clubs can deliver meaningful and lasting benefits for their members and the wider community.
"Funding the Future is about much more than financial support - it's about giving clubs the tools and confidence to drive positive change, and we're proud to play a role in that journey."
Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of YachtsandYachting.com and returning judge said, 'It's getting harder and harder to pick the most worthy clubs for this award. So many fantastic initiatives that show how sailing is continually innovating in a changing world. Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who make all of this possible!'
Gareth Brookes from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and new judge for 2025, adds, "I'm delighted to join the judging panel for the Sunsail Funding the Future Awards. This initiative is a fantastic example of how collaboration and targeted investment can help strengthen the grassroots of our sport.
"At the RYA, we are deeply committed to supporting participation and growth at every level, and this programme clearly aligns with our drive to empower clubs and help communities thrive. For many clubs, access to development funding can be the difference between having a good idea and delivering a transformative project.
Whether it's improving facilities, expanding youth programmes, or increasing accessibility, the impact of this support is felt not just in the short term, but for years to come. It enables clubs to dream bigger, reach further, and continue to be the beating heart of sailing and boating in their regions."
Katy Stickland, Editor of Practical Boat Owner and new judge for 2025, said "It was impressive to see all of the work and effort which went into every single entry for Sunsail's Funding the Future, and it was a tough job picking the winner as so many clubs had proposed really worthwhile plans but the winning club, Otley, had a clear, costed vision of how it planned to use five second-hand lasers to help young and older sailors in their racing journey and nurture membership at the club, growing sailing sustainably within their community. It is going to be interesting to see the difference it
will make to the club in the coming years and the scheme's lasting impact".
Sunsail's Funding the Future initiative champions sailing across the UK by providing vital support to clubs, empowering them to grow, innovate, and inspire the next generation on the water. To discover more about Sunsail please visit Sunsail.