RDO Blog - February 2022
It’s been a really busy start to the year with lots of activity around the region, whether for training courses, club racing or winter series events. Our Regional Training Groups for junior sailors have been busy too and there have also been lots of work parties, with dedicated volunteers determined to get their clubs and boat parks in good shape for the new season.
To support clubs and RYA Recognised Training Centres as we look ahead, we now have a full programme of training opportunities, with nearly 30 courses and upskilling sessions lined up at clubs and centres across the RYA North East region, all of which are now bookable here.
Please encourage your club members, volunteers, instructors and coaches to take a look as we literally have something for everyone, with training days and courses across the Dinghy, Powerboat, Windsurfing and Wingsurfing/Foiling schemes.
For example: a Dinghy Instructor course at Ripon SC, 9-13 April; a Dinghy Senior Instructor course at North Yorkshire Water Park 12-15 April; and an Advanced Dinghy Instructor course at Filey SC, 16-17 April, for those wanting to add performance sailing modules to their ticket.
We have an equivalent variety of Powerboat and Windsurf instructor courses and we even have Discover Instructing days providing a ‘try before you buy’ option for those who think they might like to become an instructor but would like to know more before committing to a full qualification.
There are also Race Coach Level 2 and 3 courses, including a four-day Level 3 course for the North at Leigh & Lowton SC, 9-10 April and 11-12 June. There is also a Race Coach Level 2 Course at Yorkshire Dales SC, 28-29 May, and a Discover Coaching event on 9 April at the club. Details and booking for all of these can be found via the RYA Race Coaching hub.
Please let everyone at your club or centre know about what is available as the comprehensive range of courses now available provides an accessible route for both developing your existing volunteer base and instructor team and for encouraging new volunteers to get involved as well!
Grant support for courses
Not only do we have lots of courses in the region, but we also have a bursary scheme to support volunteers who are keen to develop their skills.
For those interested in taking an instructor or coaching course with a view to supporting or increasing participation at your club or centre, there are grants of up to £250 available through our RYA North East Volunteer Development and Martin Boatman Legacy Fund.
The aim of the fund is to support volunteer development across all aspects of boating and also young people aged under 30 who would like to develop race coach skills.
We’ve had a few applications since the fund was launched in December and still have funding available in this financial year, so please consider applying and encourage instructors, volunteers and young people at your club to take a look at the training opportunities on offer, as we may be able to support them with funding towards a course.
You can apply for grants from this funding programme here.
Free online training opportunities
For existing instructors, there is a series of free online CPD sessions in February and March on Wednesdays at 7pm, covering a wide range of topics and the latest scheme updates and insights.
These are well worth signing up for, and if you can’t make a particular session, they are all being recorded so you can catch up later. Please share the details with your instructors who, if they haven’t already taken part, are invited to find out more and register here.
There is also now a free online RYA Club Race Management Course available here for any club members who would like to learn about running club racing. Ideal for those who are new to helping out with racing duties or who want to develop their confidence!
Club development webinars
Club treasurers and committee members are urged to sign up for a free RYA webinar on Corporation Tax on Wednesday 9 March at 7.30pm, which will be led by expert tax consultant Richard Baldwin MBE, FCA,CTA and provide essential knowledge for clubs in order to keep up to date with the latest tax information: register here for this webinar.
We also now have recordings available from the Club Development Sessions which took place in January and covered membership, volunteering, facilities and governance. Following on from these there is a new series of online club workshops now bookable, which takes a closer a look at all the issues around maintaining and developing facilities for the future.
These begin on 22 February with Club Facilities: Starting your Environmental Journey, and this session is bookable here. Further webinars in March, April and May will then explore the topics of Design and Construction; Planning, Permissions and Consent; and Procurement and Build.
For recordings of past online sessions and information about forthcoming webinars as they become bookable visit our RYA Club Development Sessions hub.
Safeguarding: meet the team
Calling all club Welfare Officers! RYA Safeguarding are hosting ‘Meet the Team’ online sessions in March to answer any queries and provide an update on plans for 2022. There will be a session for each RYA Region in England and questions to the team can be asked in advanced via email here.
The initiative follows the success of last year's RYA Safeguarding 'Meet the Team' sessions with Welfare Officers in the RYA Home Countries. The forthcoming dates for England will see the session for those from RYA North East region clubs taking place on Monday 21 March at 6.30pm.
You can book your place here - remember to select the North East region – and if your club does not have a Welfare Officer, please email safeguarding@rya.org.uk for an info pack.
And finally…
We’re recruiting! We are on the look out for an experienced RYA Dinghy Instructor for an exciting new project which will deliver sailing to over 300 young people between the Tyne and Tees. Based around Sunderland, Tees & Hartlepool and South Shields, the deadline for applications is 25 February 2022 and all the details can be found here.
Stay up to date with the latest news from the RYA North East region by following us on Facebook and/or Twitter. Until next time,
Sam.