RYANI calls for responses for Women and Girls participation research

RYA Northern Ireland calls for participants to take part in research looking at Women and Girls participation

RYA Northern Ireland is calling for participants to take part in research, which aims to provide a better understanding of the experiences of Women and Girls in sailing.

When it comes to participation, the number of women and girls taking part in sailing has always been lower than that of men and boys. The current club membership in Northern Ireland shows a ration of 35/65.

However, this number is often even lower when it comes to roles in the sailing workforce, such as coaches, instructors, officials and club volunteer positions.

Some male focus groups will also be taking place in the future and the governing body will consider whether a similar survey would be helpful too,

RYA Northern Ireland’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Yarnall comments: “This is vitally important research. We are hopeful that by building a fuller picture of the barriers for women and girls in our sport, we will enable a future where gender parity exists across the sport.”

The research has some key areas of focus, including:

• Developing a better understanding of the barriers to taking part and reasons for dropping out
• Better understand Women and Girls motivations across the talent and performance pathway and how better support can be provided to enable Women and Girls to progress
• Develop an understanding of the experiences and environments that have helped or hindered Women and Girls participation in the sport from grassroots to elite level
• Build understanding about what would enable more Women and Girls to start or continue their participation, take part more regularly or pursue a career in the sport
• Gain information and understanding on the motivators for Women and Girls to join workforce and volunteer-based roles and identify any issues regarding access

RYA NI is conducting the research with Emma Vickers, an ex-England International athlete and Head of Insight at TASS (an independent sports research body).

Responses will be analysed by Emma independently with all participants remaining anonymous. The results will then be fed back to RYA NI with a series of recommendations.

Greg says: “We would be delighted if as many women and girls as possible could complete the survey, as this will really help to build our understanding.”

Anyone that completes the survey will have the opportunity to win either a £100 or £50 Musto or Helly Hansen voucher.

To complete the survey, please click here.

Surveys requested to be completed by 3rd April.