RDO Blog October 2020

12 Oct 20

News

RYANI Recognition 2020

With the current Restrictions as they are and the unknowns of the winter period, prohibiting our traditional get together, the RYA NI has taken the difficult decision not to run our Annual Awards as usual this year.

We do, however, wish to recognise the hard work that has been undertaken to keep your clubs and centres running; celebrating what has been achieved and highlighting any special individual contributions. Find our more here.

Return to Boating

Latest advice has been uploaded on the RYA NI Return to Boating page. This includes updates on risk assessment requirements and requirements for venues serving alcohol.

The latest update from 5^th October can be found here. The page itself has been revised in order to make it easier to find the latest guidance, so please have a look.

Changing Rooms

As the winter approaches, considerations for access to changing areas is becoming more pertinent. Our current advice on this remains as per the RYANI Latest Guidance and Club Guidance, that access should only currently be for ‘essential’ use. More information on this can be found on the latest RYA Club Zone video. We await further advice form SportNI and the Department and will share this as soon as it becomes available.

Notes from RYANI Office

AGM

RYANI AGM will be held on 26^th October virtually for the first time ever! This year we have some proposed changes to the articles of association and we need at least 75% of clubs to approve the articles at the meeting. Please let us know who your voting representative will be on the evening, by the 12^th October. To date we have only had 14 clubs inform us who that person will be. If you would like to attend as a non-voter you can, to get details of the login for the meeting, or to register as the club's voter, or for any other queries please email Gayle.logan@rya.org.uk.

Notes from Development Officer

Resumption of Instructor Training in Northern Ireland

RYA has allowed amended version of the Dinghy Instructor course to take place. This new course will be shorter and will allow Dinghy Instructors to teach the singlehanded syllabus only. When restrictions are lifted you will be able to do a follow up two-day course to be a fully-fledged DI.

Senior Instructor Courses are also allowed to recommence, though a robust CV of double-handed sailing will now also be required to take part.

We are currently in the planning of these dates, however, we have a list of students who were booked on courses in the spring that were cancelled. These students will be given first refusal. Please do get in touch if you are interested in any instructor training email: mary.martin@rya.org.uk

Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation volunteer Instructor grants

The ASSF have given RYANI funding for 18 instructors to be supported in their Training. 12 grants remain and will be allocated following an application process and successful completion of an instructor course during this financial year. The grant will be £85. The instructors must assist the centre to run programmes that introduce new sailors to the sport, such as on open day or in school linked programmes. (eg. Discover sailing or Onboard). They must volunteer some time to these projects. The grant can only be used for Dinghy, windsurfing or Senior Instructor Training.

Applicants must:

have approval from their centre principal.
agree to report instruction figures to ASSF for 2 years.
be booked on a course before end March 2021.
Live in Northern Ireland and plan to use instructor award in Northern Ireland.

For more details, or to apply, please click this link or contact mary.martin@rya.org.uk

Notes from the Performance Manager and Performance Development Officer

More than 90 of Northern Ireland’s Youth and Junior sailors have taken part in the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Championships, which were hosted by Ballyholme Yacht Club.

Read the full report here.

This weekend also see the first of the Open Pathway Training and Performance Programme Selection at Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club. We wish all those taking part the best. Happy Sailing!

Participation News from Lisa McCaffrey, RYANI Active Clubs Coordinator

Affiliated Club Conference

Bookings are now open for the RYA Affiliated Clubs Conference supported by Gallagher, on Saturday 21 November with Ben Ainslie headlining a stellar virtual cast of expert speakers and workshops.

This year’s online conference will explore the theme of ‘a different world with new opportunities’, in recognition of the challenging times clubs have experienced over the last few months, the changes that have taken place and the innovative ideas and opportunities that have since emerged.

During the event, Olympic gold Medallist Ben Ainslie will be sharing his own experiences of lockdown and how America’s Cup contender INEOS Team UK has bounced back despite the difficulties, with an exclusive video presentation.

Hosted by double Olympic gold medallist and broadcaster Shirley Robertson, the programme of guest speakers will also include Chris Grant, Sport England board member and expert in strategy, leadership and group dynamics. Chris will be examining how clubs can decide what opportunities might be right for them to move forwards with confidence.

RYA Membership Census

WE'RE ALMOST THERE! We just need a few more clubs to answer the survey before we meet our target and ensure that the data is robust for another year. Many thanks to everyone who has so far! The census is important in our planning for the work we do please fill it in!!

Please check with the person who completes your membership census has received it. If they haven’t or you would like more information please contact Lisa – Lisa.mccaffrey@rya.org.uk

Wider RYA News

Double gifts in October with RYA Refer a Friend

The RYA is calling on its more than 100,000 strong membership to help spread the word about the many benefits of being a member to their friends and family and as a thank you they will be offering not one, but two special gifts for every new member that signs up.

Earn double commission in October

Throughout October, the RYA is offering double commission to all clubs, training centres and marine organisations signed up to the RYA Joining Point programme.

The RYA Dinghy Show goes virtual.

Originally taking place over the weekend of 27-28 February at Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre, the RYA are now exploring the opportunities for dinghy sailing fans to enjoy highlights of the show from the safety of their homes.

Wider Sport News

COVID Safe Sport Packs

Sport NI, in partnership with the Department for Communities, will today open the COVID Safe Sport Pack Programme for expressions of interest from eligible organisations to receive a pack. The programme aims to assist Sports organisations with their management of the ease of lockdown and a safe return to sport during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information and application please click here.

Sports Hardship Fund

1st October, 2020

Sport NI in partnership with the Department for Communities are delighted to announce the re-opening of the Sports Hardship Fund; to further help sports clubs and other organisations delivering sporting activities, who are still experiencing financial hardship.

Click here for more information.

Northern Ireland Sport Forum - Funding information

Have recently updated their funding information page. Check out the funding opportunities there:

http://www.nisf.net/funding/

Diary Dates

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Club Development Forum

12^th October 7pm

#Keeponboating

Your chance to catch up with RYANI and ask questions of us and other clubs.

Book your space now.

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17th Annual General Meeting

Monday 26^th October 2020

at 19.00 hours.

VIRTUAL!

As part of the AGM, the Board of RYANI will be proposing the adoption of a amendments to the current set of Articles of Association. To allow for the adoption of these Articles, 75% of affiliated clubs will be required to vote in favour of the proposal.

Nominations for Directors must be received by the 18^th September 2020.

The name of the representative voting on behalf of your organisation at the AGM must be received by the 12^th October 2020. This can be completed by emailing Gayle.logan@rya.org.uk

A full agenda will follow. Commodores, Honorary Secretaries and other members of clubs and affiliated organisations are very welcome to attend.

Further enquiries about the meeting should be directed to Gayle.logan@rya.org.uk, or you can phone the office.

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RYA Affiliated Club Conference

Virtual!

Booking now open.

21^st November 2020

Keynote speakers include: Ben Ainsley, Chris Grant with host Shirley Robertson.

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RYA National Training Conference and joint RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Conference

Save the date

Aimed at principals, coach assessors, Trainers

30-31 January 2021

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RYA & RYANI Instructor Training Day

13^th March

Save the Date!!

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