MBE for Kent volunteer
Martyn, who is Principal of the RYA Recognised Training Centre at Downs Sailing Club, has been awarded for services to junior and youth sailing. Over the last 40 years he has had a sustained, direct and positive influence on youth sailing at an individual, club, county and national level.
Martyn has served on the club’s committees for most of this time including being Commodore, Sailing Secretary and Training Secretary. He has been the driving force in hosting and successfully delivering the National School Sailing Association (NSSA) National Youth Regattas at Downs in 1981, 1992, 1999 and 2014. His vision for training at Downs led the club to becoming an RYA Recognised Training Centre in 2007.
Many young sailors who have benefitted from Martyn's guidance have gone on to have racing success at regional, national and international level as well as building careers in marine and associated professions afloat.
Martyn is also President and past Commodore of the Kent Schools Sailing Association (KSSA), secretary of the East Kent Yachting Association, a trustee of the RYA London and South East Region Youth Training Fund (YTF - a charity which provides bursaries to help young sailors and coaches fulfil their potential) and a member of the RYA’s London and South East Regional Team.
Simon Cory, Commodore at Downs, said: “Martyn has, with passion and dedication, devoted much of his spare time to teaching, coaching and organising sailing at the Downs as well as throughout Kent with the KSSA and at national level with the NSSA. “This is a richly deserved award. We send our congratulations and best wishes to Martyn and to his wife Di who has supported him throughout.”
Dickie Bird, Chair of the RYA Regional Team, added: “It's fantastic news for Martyn and our region. It's good to see all of Martyn's hard work, time and effort over the years has been rewarded with this honour - a good day for sailing and a well deserved MBE.”
Dave Ellis of the YTF also paid tribute: “Martyn’s drive and enthusiasm for junior and youth sailing is infectious. He has been part of the YTF since its inception over 30 years ago. Through his activity with the YTF and KSSA, hundreds of young sailors have attained high personal goals."
Martyn said of his award: “It’s an enormous honour to be awarded an MBE and really encouraging that junior and youth sailing are recognised. I have been very fortunate to work with enthusiastic local coaches and eager and talented young sailors - that makes it a real pleasure. My initial encouragement came from school teacher Ernie Large - one of the founders of KSSA and then the dynamic Jim Saltonstall when the RYA were getting into race training - very lucky.”
Links:
RYA London and South East Youth Training Fund
RYA London and South East Region