Budworth SC crowned RYA and Yachts and Yachting Club of the Year 2022

Budworth Sailing Club (BSC) have been named as winners of the 2022 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year Award, supported by Gallagher.

The North-West based club was one of 10 finalists selected by the RYA Awards Panel and ultimately crowned by the public vote. The coveted trophy was presented by The British Sailing Team’s Sam Whaley today (26 February) at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Farnborough International.

BSC were awarded for having the foresight to implement changes which have attracted more members of all ages and backgrounds into the sport. The club are now able to offer RYA courses, having been recently recognised as an RYA training centre with even more activities for their members to get afloat.

Commodore, Bill Kenyon, said: “It feels amazing. The award is not just for us- it’s for the sailing club, all the people that make the place what it is. It’s an amazing achievement”.

Rob Clark, RYA Director of Sport Development said: “A huge congratulations to BSC. It’s been great to have the opportunity to recognise the amazing efforts of clubs and the volunteers who are central to success, especially at a time when we we’re seeing an unprecedented amount of people wanting to spent time on the water. Every club recognised are worthy finalists and it’s been wonderful to be able to celebrate their success”.

RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year finalists for 2022:

• RYA Scotland: Aberdeen & Stonehaven Yacht Club
• North West: Arnside Sailing Club (Heart of the Community)
• RYA Northern Ireland: Ballyholme Yacht Club
• RYA South: Brading Haven Yacht Club (Sustainability)
• RYA Midlands: Chelmarsh Sailing Club (Inclusive and Open to All)
• RYA South West: Exe Sailing Club
• RYA South West: Flushing Sailing Club
• RYA South: Lymington Town Sailing Club (Modern and Innovative)
• RYA North East: Teesdale Sailing & Watersports Club

Bartley Sailing Club, Filey Sailing Club and Warsash Sailing Club were also awarded a Certificate of Commendation to congratulate each of them for their work over the last year.

Sailing today with Yachts & Yachting Editor Rob Peake said: “We had a tough time whittling down the high standard of entries this year to the shortlist. Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting is delighted to be supporting this competition, which recognises the hard work of club volunteers and shares best practice between clubs.”

Thank you everyone who has kindly provided prizes:

• Yachts & Yachting
• RS Sailing
• Gallagher
• Spinlock
• Datatag
• Icom
• Overboard
• Sacqua
• The Green Blue

For more information about the award, how to get involved and this year’s finalists visit www.rya.org.uk/cluboftheyear

Applications for RYA Club of the Year 2023 will open in August.