2019 Winner Announced
For the second consecutive year the RYA and Yachts & Yachting have joined forces to recognise the outstanding achievement of sailing clubs across the UK through the Club of the Year Awards. This annual award recognises and promotes the hard work which goes into making sailing clubs successful. In doing so, we are able to encourage, reward, learn from and share examples of best practice within our sailing community.
For the first time the RYA Awards Panel selected a finalist for each of the 10 RYA Regions and Home Countries as well as two ‘wild card’ entries (up to 12 in total).
During this shortlisting stage, the panel provided five clubs with the following recognitions: which throw the spotlight firmly onto the core values for any successful sailing club.
‘Innovative and forward thinking’ – a 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’ – a 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’ – a 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’ – a 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’ – a 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.
2019 finalists:
Arnside Sailing Club - North West Region Finalist
Ballyholme Yacht Club - Northern Ireland Finalist
Blackwater Sailing Club - East Region Finalist
Dell Quay Sailing Club - South Region Finalist
East Lothian Yacht Club - Scotland Finalist
Felpham Sailing Club - London & South East Region Finalist
Glossop Sailing Club - Midlands Finalist
Otley Sailing Club - North East Finalist
Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club - Northern Ireland Finalist
Royal Torbay Yacht Club - South West Finalist
South Staffordshire Sailing Club - Midlands Finalist
The five clubs below have been recognised by
the panel for particular achievements in the following areas:
Ballyholme Yacht Club - "Boosting Membership"
Dell Quay Sailing Club - "Innovative and Forward Thinking"
Otley Sailing Club - "Inclusive and Open to All"
Royal Torbay Yacht Club - "Fantastic Facilities"
South Staffordshire Sailing Club - "Embracing Modern Communications"
All 11 finalist clubs went through to a public vote with the overall successful club and RYA Y&Y Club of the Year selected by RYA members, Yachts & Yachting readers and the Panel.
Winner of the 2019 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year is Royal Torbay Yacht Club
Nominations for the RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year 2020 will open in August 2019.
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