06 February 2026
RYA Northern Ireland Refreshes Strategic Plan: Navigating the Future
At the midpoint of its five-year cycle, RYA Northern Ireland has refreshed its Navigating the Future strategy, capturing progress to date and sharpening focus on the priorities that will drive the sport forward.
RYA Northern Ireland Refreshes Strategic Plan: Navigating the Future
RYA Northern Ireland has published a refreshed version of Navigating the Future, its five-year strategy guiding the development of sailing, windsurfing and boating across Northern Ireland.
The refresh comes at the halfway point of the strategy cycle and reflects what has been learned so far, what’s working well, where challenges remain, and where greater focus will have the most impact.
Originally launched in March 2023 following extensive consultation with clubs, volunteers, coaches, officials, parents and sailors, the strategy continues to be shaped by the people and places that make the sport happen.
Why has the strategy been refreshed?
In September 2025, RYA Northern Ireland’s Board and staff carried out a comprehensive review of the strategy. This considered:
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Progress and achievements to date
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Challenges faced across the sport
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New and emerging issues affecting clubs and the wider sailing community
The review confirmed that the Strategic Aims and Foundations remain the right ones, while highlighting opportunities to simplify and sharpen focus for the remainder of the strategy period.
What’s changed?
The refreshed strategy introduces a number of key updates:
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Fewer goals, creating a clearer focus on priority areas
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New progress indicators, improving how impact is tracked and communicated
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A clearer summary of progress achieved so far
Improving Diversity remains a core Strategic Aim and organisational priority. Rather than sitting in isolation, it is now embedded across all Strategic Aims and Foundations, reinforcing its importance across all areas of work.
What remains at the heart of the strategy?
While the structure has been refined, the purpose of Navigating the Future remains unchanged.
The strategy continues to focus on:
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People: ensuring volunteers, coaches, instructors, officials, staff and board members feel valued and supported
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Places: strengthening clubs, training centres and facilities where the sport takes place
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Pathways: creating clear, connected opportunities for participation, development and progression
There is much to be proud of in the progress made so far, and RYA Northern Ireland remains committed to working with the sailing community to build a thriving and sustainable future for the sport.
What happens next?
The refreshed strategy will continue to guide decision-making, resource allocation and operational planning through to 2028, with progress monitored and shared regularly.
