Scottish Club Chat - October 2024

October is already upon us! Between lots of action afloat here in Scotland, and some top performances from former Scottish club sailors overseas, plus our upcoming Connected Scotland event - there’s plenty to get excited about.

Creating a safe and welcoming environment for all is the theme for Connected Scotland to be held on the 2^nd and 3^rd of November at the Regional Performance Centre in Dundee. Thanks to Freedom Boat Club Loch Lomond, this will be a FREE event and is open to all affiliated clubs and organisations as well as recognised training centres. The agenda will cover a wide range of topics, delivered in interactive sessions by the various RYA Scotland teams and volunteers, RYA staff and partners. And there will be specific programming for under-25s! There will also be ample time for informal conversations with staff, volunteers, and your peers. Register now for one or both days.

Scotland’s Climate week was 23-29 September. To mark the week, RYA Scotland and Forth Corinthian Yacht Club welcomed Maree Todd MSP (Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport) to Granton Harbour for a wide-ranging discussion about climate challenges within our sport. Members of the RYA Scotland staff team, sportscotland Partnership Manager Charlotte MacBeath, as well as Peter Robinson, RYAS board Director for Cruising & General Purposes were on hand alongside Forth Corinthian Commodore Peter Douglas. Following the visit, Ms Todd posted “Really enjoyable visit – great to hear about the range of innovation and initiatives to care for environment and make the transition to net zero.” Want to make an impact yourself? Why not take The Green Blue Pledge today?

The RYAS Giant Academy was a brilliant success last month, getting over 100 sailors afloat across 7 classes. The windsurfers were in Peterhead on the 14^th and 15^th, with the dinghy classes in Largs a week later. RYAS Pathway Manager, Jamie Rogers was thoroughly impressed and inspired by all the collaboration and activity, saying “Post-COVID participation is slowly increasing, and this event reached full capacity across all fleets! There was a fantastic atmosphere, with plenty of smiles and laughs.” Have a look at what else is coming up in the pathway programme.

Scottish Stars on the World Stage. You might be engrossed in the ongoing America's Cup action, featuring the INEOS Brittania team who have become the first British Team to compete for the America’s Cup in 60 years – with Scottish Sailor Neil Hunter amongst the stellar crew. Neil first began his sailing journey on Arran in small dinghies before progressing through the pathway. Now sailing alongside Sir Ben Ainslie for the oldest trophy in sailing, just think where sailing can take us…

And Neil isn’t the only Scot out there doing us proud. Offshore stars Maggie Adamson and Cal Finlayson lifted a trophy of their own, claiming the Offshore Double Handed World Championship title in the past few weeks. From Lerwick and Montrose respectively, the pair are fantastic role models helping showcasing the different opportunities within our sport beyond the well known Olympic pathway.

We're inspired to see the strength and determination amongst so many Scottish sailors out there showcasing their talent across different disciplines, with various others doing the same across a number of classes and competitions internationally. 

Friday the 18^th of October is Wear Red Day, and a great opportunity to show racism the red card. This simple act can expand and strengthen the movement. Every heart and every mind that changes, can impact at least one life but has the capacity to change hundreds of others or more. Be a proud anti-racist. Join in. Wear red!

RYA Scotland will hold our AGM as a virtual meeting onThursday 7th November 2024 at 6pm. All RYA members domiciled in Scotland and representatives of affiliated clubs, associations in Scotland and recognised Scottish teaching establishments are invited to attend. You can find further details on the AGM on our events page. 

Where is your club now? Where do you want it to be and how will you get there? Your RYA Scotland Regional Development Officer can help you answer these questions, using On Course for the Future along with other tools from their kit. For example, they can help you to gather input from your members, create a vision or mission statement, review your governance, or set priorities, ultimately helping you continue to develop and effectively steer the direction of your organisation. Reach out to your RDO to discuss how and where to get started.

How was your summer season afloat? Was there someone who made it special? Please consider nominating them for an RYA Scotland Impact Award. Nominations are open year-round for you to put forward those who make a difference to your boating. Whether that’s an inspirational person, team, or organisation – we want to hear from you! Get involved now – your nomination could become cause for celebration! View previous winners on the RYAS YouTube Channel.

Here are a few funding options to consider:

• RYA Scotland Coach Education Subsidy
• RYA Foundation Youth Fund
• RYA Scotland Class Grants, supporting training, events, and regatta attendance in Scotland;
• National Lottery Awards for All Scotland (Please ensure your RDO is aware of any application for this funding as they will likely be consulted during the review process).
• Aldi Scottish Sport Fund: applications for South Scotland 7 October to 3 November
• Tesco Stronger Starts;
• Bruce Wake Charitable Trust, for the provision of leisure activities for people with physical disabilities;
• Marine Fund Scotland 2024-2025.

What is happening at your club or centre? Our Development Team is here to support you, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help. But we also want to hear about your successes and even ordinary stuff. Email us (Development@RYAScotland.org.uk) or tag RYA Scotland on social media or share your newsletters with your RDO.

All the best from The Development Team – Laura, Brian, Rhys, Liza & Naseef

7/10/2024