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President, IOCA UK

Position: President, International Optimist Class Association UK (IOCA UK)

Type: Voluntary Non-Executive (Appointed / Non-Voting Advisor to the Class Committee)

Term: Up to 4 Years - renewable subject to mutual agreement and prevailing governance

Accountable to: IOCA UK Membership & Committee via Chair

About the UK Optimist Class - IOCA UK

The International Optimist Class Association (UK) (IOCA UK) is the national Class Association for Optimist sailing in the United Kingdom. We support young sailors from their first races to international competition, fostering sportsmanship, skills development, and a lifelong passion for sailing. IOCA aims to encourage children to take up Optimist sailing across the country in their clubs and regions and supports those who go on to compete at regional, national and international events.

More formally, the International Optimist Class Association (UK) Ltd. is the UK member of IODA, the International Optimist Class Association.

IOCA UK has been selected to host the Optimist European Championships in 2027 in partnership with Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the first time that an IODA event has come to the UK since 2015.

Role Purpose

The President serves as a senior custodian, trusted advisor, and cultural ambassador for IOCA UK. While day to day management rests with the voluntary elected Committee, the President provides high-level guidance, institutional memory, independent long term oversight, and supports connection between IOCA UK, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) and the wider sailing community.

In line with governance updates across youth sport, the President will play a central role in promoting culture, safeguarding, and transparent governance within this unique junior sailing class.

Key Responsibilities

1. Governance, Oversight & Independent Advice

  • Serve as an independent source of knowledge and historical context for the Executive Committee.
  • Support the Chair and Committee in upholding the IOCA UK Constitution, Code of Conduct, and relevant RYA guidelines.
  • Provide an objective perspective during complex decision-making, conflict resolution, or governance reviews.
  • Help monitor class governance to ensure alignment with RYA Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and Duty of Care frameworks.

2. Safeguarding, Welfare & Culture

  • Act as an independent champion for a positive, inclusive, sailor-first culture across all IOCA training, racing, and social environments.
  • Support the Class Welfare Officer and RYA Liaison teams in ensuring robust welfare and safeguarding standards are actively practiced at all events.
  • Provide impartial counsel should it become required. 

3. Stakeholder & External Representation

  • Represent IOCA UK at major national and international regattas and events.
  • Maintain constructive relationships with key governing bodies, including the RYA, IODA, host venues, and regional sailing clubs.
  • Act as an ambassador for youth sailing, advocating for accessibility, fair competition, and pathways into junior and youth classes.

4. Event & Technical Leadership (where applicable)

  • Assist with event guidance and high-level race official coordination as appropriate.

Requirements

Essential

  • Deep experience and credibility within youth sailing, class associations, or sports governance.
  • Excellent understanding of safeguarding, duty of care, and child welfare best practices in sport.
  • Strong mediation, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to help build consensus among volunteers, parents, and officials.
  • Strong integrity, objectivity, and commitment to the best interests of young sailors.
  • Knowledge of RYA structures, event operations, and class administration.

Desirable

  • Experience as a qualified Race Official or Coach.
  • Previous leadership experience on a sports governing body, committee, or charitable board.
  • Familiarity with international junior sailing structures (IODA / World Sailing).

Time Commitment & Location

  • Meetings: Attendance at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), occasional main committee meetings (in-person or remote) and strategy sessions, by invitation.
  • Events: Attendance at some of the major UK national events as an ambassador and official representative.
  • Contactable by Committee members and members from time to time.
  • Location: Remote / Flexible across the UK, with travel to major events and key meetings.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit a brief expression of interest detailing relevant experience and vision for the role to the Vice-Chair at email  vicechair@optimist.org.uk

IOCA UK is committed to safeguarding children. All committee and official appointments are subject to appropriate background checks, including enhanced DBS verification.

The RYA is committed to equality of opportunity.

As an equal opportunity and disability confident employer, we celebrate and welcome diversity in all its forms and believe that a diverse workforce boosts innovation, productivity, and creativity.

We are dedicated to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion and strive to be an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can be their authentic selves. We would particularly encourage applications from ethnically diverse candidates who are currently underrepresented at the RYA.