Are you making the most of your RYA affiliation?
When your organisation affiliates to the RYA it becomes part of the RYA family – a community of like-minded clubs and associations working together with the RYA to ensure the ongoing health and growth of activity across all forms of boating around the country.
Affiliation helps support and add voice to the RYA’s work protecting your rights and freedoms on the water. But not only that, RYA affiliates also have access to a whole host of services and benefits from the RYA team and our partners to support your boating.
We take a closer look at some of what’s available and how it can help your club or organisation.
Expertise and insight
One of the greatest benefits of RYA affiliation is access to expert advice tailored to the needs of sailing clubs and associations.
The RYA offers support in a wide range of areas, including governance, legal matters, and best practices in club management. We can help you navigate challenges such as funding applications, facility improvements, and volunteer recruitment, support and management, and also help ensure you have the right policies and procedures in place for the activity you deliver.
Affiliated clubs also receive assistance from RYA Regional Managers, who work with them to provide practical solutions around membership growth, workforce training and development and participation to help drive long-term, sustainable success.
Free-to-access Connected conferences, workshops, and webinars also offer regular opportunities for affiliates to learn from other clubs and boating organisations, explore new initiatives and problem-solve common challenges together with the RYA team.
Training and development
Our sport relies heavily on volunteers, and RYA affiliation supports the recruitment and development of individuals in these crucial roles.
We offer training for club volunteers and committee members to enhance leadership skills, Awards programmes that celebrate the hard work of volunteers, and workforce development opportunities
to help ensure clubs have skilled instructors, race officials and safety personnel. By investing in volunteer development, clubs can improve operations, retain dedicated helpers, and create a strong sense of community.
We can also support affiliates to provide RYA training and progress to become an RYA Recognised Training Centre. This offers access to a wide range of internationally recognised training programmes to assist in the development and retention of members, staff and volunteers.
Don’t miss out on training and qualification schemes and ongoing development opportunities for club welfare officers, instructors, Level 2 racing coaches and race officials.
Regular courses and development opportunities are provided both regionally and nationally. These help you increase the number of trained personnel within your organisation. Keep an eye on our events page for activity close to you.
Professional services
Our long-term partnership with Gallagher provides access to specialist insurance products to meet the needs of RYA affiliates. Their coverage includes public and product liability, member-to-member liability, and professional indemnity, helping to ensure protection for training activities*.
Employers' liability is included for those with staff or volunteers, while optional extensions cover clubhouses, marine installations, business interruption, personal accident, and boat insurance. Gallagher also offers risk management support and access to Gallagher Business Assist for major property claims, helping to provide affiliates peace of mind and tailored protection.
More about Gallagher insurance
We can also help with queries around regulatory requirements and professional services, such as safeguarding, welfare and DBS (England and Wales), PVG (Scotland) and AccessNI (Northern Ireland) checks; planning and environment; legal; taxation; governance; licensing; employment; risk assessment and safety management; facilities and lease support.
Access to funding and grants
Funding can be a challenge for many affiliates, particularly when looking to expand, improve facilities or purchase new equipment. RYA affiliation opens the door to more funding opportunities, including:
- Sports Council grants for facility development and grassroots programmes.
- RYA Foundation grants and bursaries for club improvements and coaching development.
- Discounted access to training courses, helping clubs reduce costs while upskilling members and volunteers.
The RYA also provides guidance on applying for external funding, ensuring clubs have the best possible chance of securing financial support.
Racing Services
If you run racing, RYA affiliation opens up access to a host of support and services which can help grow quality competition, ensure fairness and enhance your activity:
- As an RYA affiliated club, you have the authority to run races under the internationally recognised Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS), ensuring consistency and fairness in your events. We provide education and training for participants and volunteers to help organisations understand and apply the RRS; and provide an appeals system for disputes arising from protest committee hearings.
- Access to Race Coach Level 2 and 3 (RCL2/RCL3) Courses: Clubs can provide their coaches with training opportunities through the RCL2/3 courses, equipping them with the skills to deliver high-quality coaching for club members.
- Use of the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) System: Affiliation grants access to the PYOnline system, enabling fair and accurate racing for mixed fleets at your club. This system ensures diverse classes can compete together effectively.
- Access to Aera Yacht Time Correction (YTC) Scheme: Powered by the RORC Rating Office and the RYA, this scheme helps to increase participation in club racing providing an easy-to-use rating system that for a wide range of yachts.
- Race Officials: The RYA offers training courses for race officials, from club-level to national roles, enhancing the professionalism and quality of your club racing events. This includes online race management courses which are free for volunteers of all affiliates.
- Technical and measurement services: We support affiliates in the training of technical volunteers and equipment inspectors to RYA and World Sailing standards, in order to ensure a consistent application of class rules within your organisation’s delivery of racing activities
- Advisory services: We have teams of experts in Race Management and Racing Rules able to answer specific queries and provide advice to members and affiliates
Participation and membership growth
Through RYA-supported initiatives such as RYA OnBoard, Sailability, and Discover Sailing, affiliated clubs can attract new members and introduce more people to the sport. These programmes provide structured pathways for individuals of all ages and abilities to get involved, making sailing more accessible to the wider community.
- RYA OnBoard: Growing junior membership, revenue, a greater community presence and making a difference to the lives of young people are just some of the ways affiliates can benefit from RYA OnBoard.
- RYA Sailability: Growing participation of disabled people with support, resources and training that build your confidence to create the right experience on and off the water
- Discover Sailing: Helps clubs run successful open days and taster sessions to encourage new memberships and connect to their local community.
From access to grant support and training programmes to racing benefits and legal protection, there are many advantages to RYA affiliation. It helps clubs grow, improve, and future-proof their operations, ensuring that they can continue providing outstanding on-water experiences for generations to come.
Whether your organisation is focused on introducing beginners to the sport, developing competitive racing, or simply creating a welcoming and inclusive boating community, RYA affiliation can help provide the tools and resources you need to thrive.
*Policy limits and exclusions may apply, please see the policy wording for full terms and conditions. Royal Yachting Association is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance Brokers Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Spectrum Building, 55 Blythswood Street, Glasgow, G2 7AT. Registered in Scotland. Company Number: SC108909.