About Us

RYA East Regional Team

The RYA East Regional team is here to support you, your club or centre. We are a team of volunteers, staff, and contractors who work closely together to provide a network of support to grow activity and membership across the region. Together, the team provides:

• Liaison between the region's Clubs and the RYA
• Co-ordination and encouragement of RYA National Training Schemes
• Representation of the wider interests of sailing, windsurfing, cruising, inland waterways and powerboating within the region.

About the Regional Committee

The East Region Committee is an integrated team composed of three groups who work together for the benefit of the Region:

• 12 Local Associations who each elect a volunteer at their AGM to represent their association on the East Region Committee
• Specialist Appointment Volunteers: Regional Planning Environment Coordinator, Regional Race Management Coordinator, Regional Rules Adviser, Training Fleet Manager
• Regional Staff: Regional Development Officer, Regional Communicator, High Performance Manager, Disability Development Officer

Area Associations Represented:

• Association of Nene River Clubs
• Association of Southend Clubs
• Bedfordshire and Cambridge Area Association
• Blackwater and Colne Area Sailing Association
• Crouch Area Yachting Federation
• Great Ouse Boating Association
• Harwich Area Sailing Association
• Herts and West Essex Inland Waterways
• National Schools Sailing Association
• Royal Naval Sailing Association
• Norfolk and Suffolk Boating Association
• North West Norfolk Sailing Association

Representation

Various members sit on a variety of organisations, including some Harbour Authorities, the Broads Authority Committee, Cam Conservators, the MCA Marine Safety Committee and Anglian Water. Representatives are also on the Lowestoft and Upper Orwell Crossing proposals.

RYA Staff

REGIONAL MANAGER: Robbie Bell – Robbie.bell@rya.org.uk

Robbie’s role is to work across the RYA East Region supporting clubs and training centres developing activity and membership. He manages a team of Sailing Development Officers who are in turn responsible for the delivery of key initiatives ranging from the OnBoard programme through to funding advice for clubs and supported open days. Robbie organises the annual Affiliated Club Conference and a range of instructor development opportunities including the Instructor Training Day and regional courses, and is responsible for ensuring RYA recognised training centre Inspections are completed during the year. Robbie sails an RS700 at Snettisham Beach Sailing Club and travels to events when he can. Robbie always enjoys visiting clubs throughout the region and getting afloat.

REGIONAL DEVELOPER: Jane Ellison  - jane.ellison@rya.org.uk

Jane is responsible for supporting Sailability Groups and developing female participation in the region, Jane is also available to support clubs with creating a welcoming environment for all, in particular for those that may have challenges with accessibility. 

SAILING DEVELOPER: Jen Miller – jen.miller@rya.org.uk

Jen’s primary role is to support the development of junior sailing through the OnBoard programme, directly helping clubs and centres with upskilling their instructors to deliver engaging sessions and develop character within their participants. Jen also helps coordinate regionally organised instructor training.

REGIONAL COMMUNICATOR: Holly Hancock – holly.hancock@rya.org.uk

Volunteers (Officers)

CHAIR – Alice Davies - 07534 388249, chair.EA@rya.org.uk

VICE CHAIR – Sara Hopkinson - 01473 780510, 07711 717046, sara@pinmillcruising.co.uk

SECRETARY/TREASURER – Tim Wood - 01206 826411

Specialist Appointment holders

RULES/DISPUTES ADVISER – Graham Louth -  01223 246145

EAST REGIONAL PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR (ERPEC) – Bob Calver

RACE MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR – Paul Jackson