A sailing committee volunteer has been presented with an award for his dedication to the sport in Wales and its performance programmes for youth and junior racing sailors.

Mick Renny has served on the Performance Sub Committee of RYA Cymru Wales for nearly a decade. Until recently, Mick was also part of the management committee at Fishguard Bay Yacht Club in Pembrokeshire, including for the last three years as rear commodore.

Sarah McGovern, Chief Operating Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, has now presented Mick with a Welsh Sailing | Hwylio Cymru Impact Award for his outstanding contribution to the sport and the committees needed for it to thrive.

Sarah commented that committee roles were among the hardest to recruit volunteers for and that Mick’s knowledge and insights had provided essential and hugely valued support for RYA Cymru Wales and its aspiring racing sailors.

She said: “Mick has made a huge difference to our Performance Sub Committee. He has supported and guided performance managers in their decision making and has helped Welsh Sailing through many tough decisions. Not many people volunteer their time to committees. For Mick to have committed to over nine years of support is epic and we are hugely grateful for his time and contribution.”

Mick first began volunteering with RYA Cymru Wales when his son Tom started Optimist sailing and racing with Teifi Boating Club in Cardigan, West Wales, and  continued as Tom progressed through the British Sailing pathway to Topper, Laser Radial (ILCA 6) and Laser (ILCA 7) racing nationally and internationally.

He said: “I started out helping to provide safety cover on the water at local events and gradually became more involved, supporting national events as well and then the Performance Sub Committee from around 2017. I contributed to what was already an established programme in Wales and a lot of it was to do with supporting sailors financially to make the sport accessible.

“For a small population Wales has done very well with sports like sailing. We’ve been fortunate to have the support of Sport Wales, and also various individuals within the organisation who have offered a lot over the years. I used to have a career as a youth worker, so I always had an interest and commitment to wanting to support young people to have opportunities they might not otherwise get.

“It’s an amazing benefit that young people get from sailing and whether that’s decision making or independence, it gives them incredible life skills. It’s been rewarding seeing young sailors coming through and progressing, including the likes of Olympian Micky Beckett, Lou Boorman’s incredible achievement as a Clipper Round the World Yacht Race skipper, and so many others who’ve made a career in sailing or benefited from their journey in the sport.”

The RYA Cymru Wales Impact Awards recognise those who go the extra mile to support activities afloat in line with its strategy - Together on our Waters – to create a connected, inspired and inclusive Welsh sailing and boating community.

Sarah added: “Mick is a fantastic role model and we hope his contribution will inspire others to consider volunteering to support the work of RYA Cymru Wales or joining the committee of their own local club or organisation, to help our sport continue to maintain and build strong foundations for the future.”

Find out more about Hwylio Cymru | Welsh Sailing performance programmes and if you know an individual or organisation you would like to see recognised for their contribution, visit RYA Cymru Wales Impact Awards.