December 2021
Have you voted yet for Aberdeen & Stonehaven Yacht Club for the 2022 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year supported by Gallagher Competition. The club are our Scottish representatives in this competition and are one of ten finalists that were selected to go through to the voting stage. It would be great to see the hard work that the club has done further recognised on the UK Stage. More details about the competition, including how to vote for Aberdeen and Stonehaven Yacht Club can be found here.
The winners will be announced at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show in February 2022.
RYA Volunteer Awards
We must also offer our congratulations to Willie Paterson of Solway Yacht Club for his ‘Outstanding Contribution Award, and Gerry Campbell of Able to Sail for her ‘Francis Elkin Award’ at the recent RYA 2021 Volunteer Awards. Their hard work and dedication was recognised at a recent awards ceremony with Princess Anne and further information, including the Awards Citation booklet, can be found here. Well done to you both and to all those who support our sport through their volunteering!
Ventilation Fund
We publicised a funding opportunity from the Scottish Government at the end of November for up to £2500 to support facilities improve their ‘ventilation’ to help limit the spread of Covid. It is our understanding, via sportscotland, that sports organisations are eligible for this funding. The fact that there is close contact within a small space (for changing), that a number are licensed premises or that they host other activities within their setting should allow clubs/centres to apply for this fund. We know that some clubs and organisations have applied for this fund, however we are also aware that some have been unsuccessful. Therefore, please get in touch with Liza Linton if you have been either successful or unsuccessful as we are keen to know the Scotland-wide picture.
SAVE the DATE
The RYA Scotland Affiliated Club Conference will take place on Sunday 6th March 2022 at the Stirling Court Hotel. We are planning a number of exciting workshops and informal opportunities to meet with others on the day, so that we can share learning and plan for the season ahead. Further details will be coming out shortly so please put a ‘holder’ in your diary and we will be back in touch again early in the new year.
Also, here’s a quick reminder of several opportunities over the winter for Instructors and Coaches – both online and in person, as well as some follow up practical days.
The annual RYA Scotland Instructor Conference is taking place on 19th February 2022 at the Stirling Court Hotel and this will be followed up by some regional practical CPD days in March (Dinghy and Windsurfing combined). Further details will be available in early January.
The Winter Webinar Series for Instructors started in November and these are a chance to build knowledge in preparation for the 2022 season and network with other instructors across the country online.
The following Winter Webinar Series topics are being planned for early in the new year:
- Knowing Your Sport - "Coaching The Basics - What Good Looks Like" - January 2022 (focused on Dinghy and Windsurf Instructors and RCL2’s)
- Knowing Coaching - "Planning Appropriate Activity" - February 2022
As with the Affiliated Club Conference, the booking and further details will go live for the Instructor Conference and Winter Webinars shortly but please ‘put a holder’ for these dates in your diaries and look out for further information! It would also be greatly appreciated if you could share this information with your instructing teams.
Dates for information – 2021 & 2022
RYA Scotland Winter Webinar Series for Instructors = starting 24th November 2021
RYA Training Conference = 5th & 6th February 2022
RYA Sailability Conference = 12th February 2022
RYA Scotland Instructor Gathering = 19th February 2022 – Stirling Court Hotel
Affiliated Club Conference – Part 2 in Scotland = Sunday 6th March 2022 – Stirling Court Hotel
Finally, please remember that there are still some Scottish Government guidance and restrictions for ‘Beyond Level 0’ means to us in a sporting context. For your information the RYA Scotland guidance for boating can be found on our website.
If you have any questions, then please do not hesitate to get in contact with the team. We hope you all have a great time during the festive season and we will look forward to catching up with you in the new year!!
Take care and stay safe!