Introducing the RYA Scotland Aspire Programme

The RYA Scotland Aspire Programme is a forward-thinking initiative developed to strengthen, support, and simplify the development journey for RYA sailing and powerboating instructors, coaches, and officials across Scotland.

Aspire is set to become a pivotal tool in shaping the future of the qualified workforce here in Scotland - offering clarity, connection, and developing confidence in anyone with a desire to deliver training and tuition afloat.

Why Aspire?

The Aspire Programme concept was born in response to the growing complexity across available routes and qualifications for aspiring professionals, with instructors, volunteers, officials, and freelance professionals often navigating overlapping pathways and evolving expectations.

Robin Nicol, RYA Scotland’s Coach Education Development Manager, explains:

“We realised there was a real opportunity to reduce complexity for people to get involved and qualified! We wanted to create something that not only made sense on paper but connected with people practically - something simple, supportive, and usable for everyone.”

Aspire is built to provide clarity in an often-confusing journey by structuring development into five core areas:

• Aspiring Instructors
• Aspiring Senior Instructors
• Aspiring Coaches
• Aspiring Trainers
• Aspiring Officials

What Will Aspire Do?

Aspire is both a digital hub and a community partnership model.

1. A One-Stop Digital Hub

Currently in development, Aspire will soon offer a mobile-friendly, easy-to-navigate platform designed to provide:

• Resources and guidance tailored to each development pathway
• Links to qualifications, Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, and video content
• User-friendly access for club volunteers, chief instructors, and individuals at all stages of their journey

Robyn Phillips, RYA Scotland Training Development Officer says “Think of it as a visual, interactive resource bank. More than just a list of links... we want it to spark curiosity and be genuinely useful for people in the moment, whether they’re on their phone at a club or planning long-term development.”

2. Aspire Partnerships

The Aspire Programme won’t just be digital - it's grounded in partnerships with local clubs and centres.

Through a co-created model, RYA Scotland will work directly with venues to:

• Provide bespoke staff development support
• Help venues become community workforce hubs
• Build confidence across the workforce
• Inspire the future workforce
• Elevate professional standards across the board

Aspire partnerships will be collaborative, not prescriptive. As described by Robin Nicol: “It’s a tool for the community, not a top-down solution.”

Empowering Tutors and Building Culture

Another key aspect of Aspire is the development of an Aspiring Tutor Team, created to support delivery and embed fresh insights from across the sector. Drawing on the lived experiences of current instructors, trainers, and coaches, this network has shaped Aspire’s design and delivery - making it reflective of real needs, not assumptions.

As put by Robyn Phillips, “There's a shift happening .... it's about building confident individuals who can support the development of their communities and venues.”

Awareness of evolution across the RYA Scotland landscape has been key throughout development of the Aspire Programme. Attention was given to establishing accessible pathways for new entrants to the sport, who may not have a prior experience, family links, or pre-existing knowledge of the sport.

What’s Next?

While key aspects of the Aspire ethos are already is use across ongoing CPD delivery across Scotland - a full Aspire digital launch is planned in the coming months, alongside updates to the RYA Scotland website and wider communications through upcoming events like RYA Scotland's Connected Scotland conference on the 1-2 November in Dunfermline.

Although Aspire will offer some new tools, the Aspire philosophy is not new. It's grounded in RYA Scotland’s long-standing commitment to empowering people, growing communities, and developing a vibrant, inclusive water sports sector.

For more updates on Aspire, keep an eye on RYA Scotland’s channels and be part of this exciting new initiative.