The inaugural RYA Junior Club Championships at Northampton Sailing Club was welcomed by leading figures who have been involved in national sport policy.

Visiting on the first day of the new event to find out more about opportunities for young sailors were Conservative MP for Daventry and former Minister for Sport, Stuart Andrew, and Lisa Wainwright MBE, who is CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, which represents organisations and governing bodies to provide an independent voice for the sector.

Mr Andrew, a former Sports Minister, was keen to learn more about the benefits of sailing for young people.

Visiting the event at Northampton SC, he said: "When I was a Sports Minister I was keen on how you link up people with sport. Not everybody gets the opportunity to do certain sports and what's wonderful about here is we're one of the furthest places from the sea but have this phenomenal facility for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity to sail.

"Sport has such a vital role to play, particularly for young people, and not just in terms of physical activity. It helps to build their confidence, problem solving and social skills, which are all really important for later in life, and it’s great to see initiatives like this where you also have to think about your team and working together for a common cause."

Mr Andrew said experiences provided by sports like sailing were essential for a generation of young people catching up after the pandemic or struggling with mental health issues.

He added: "Getting out into the fresh air and on the water, they're enjoying the benefits of sailing and the natural environment, it fuels their imagination and it's also valuable for inspiring the preservation of places like this. I drive past here all the time and it's such a beautiful part of my constituency, we have to look after it."

Lisa Wainwright MBE is a member of Northampton Sailing Club and in her role as CEO of the Sport and Recreation Alliance is a passionate advocate for the transformational power of sport and grassroots activities to positively shape lives.

A former secondary school PE teacher, Lisa's professional experience spans more than 35 years and as a young person she competed from club to national level across a variety of sports, including rugby, athletics and netball.

Lisa now enjoys open water swimming and although not a sailor herself, paddleboards as a member of Northampton Sailing Club with her two daughters, who take part in the club's youth and junior Pirates group.

"I think it's absolutely fantastic," she said. "We joined the club in 2019 for me when I had breast cancer and chemotherapy treatment because it's like a sanctuary, and it became my safe space. It's such a lovely, well-run community club and to me it's about fresh air, getting on the water and family time.
 
"We thought it might be posh or lots of money, but actually it's extremely accessible, inclusive and affordable. We come down here together and the children are let loose for hours, without screens. It's a safe freedom for them and a way of life now for our family. When I see them out there in a little boat it's also about the resilience they develop and the fun and friendships they enjoy."

Welcoming the concept of young sailors having the chance to race as a team at the RYA Junior Club Championships, she added: "The skills they're learning are so much broader than just competing. What's valuable here is if they want to continue in sailing they're building a community around them and it's about learning together – it's about more than simply winning over the line."

Hosted by Northampton SC over the weekend of 19-20 September 2026, the first-ever RYA Junior Club Championships brought together young sailors for a weekend of fun and friendly rivalry, with teams qualifying to represent their club after taking part in local and regional events.
 
Alistair Dickson, RYA Head of Pathway, said: "The ambition is to recognise the importance of clubs as communities. This event not only introduces sailors to new experiences and broadens their horizons, but supports clubs to inspire and motivate their young sailors to progress in a group, with a team ethos that forges friendships and makes them want to come back and be involved year after year."

Feedback from participants and visitors to the RYA Junior Club Championships resonated with the RYA's refreshed Together on Water strategy, which brings to life a 10-year vision for the future of sailing and boating with four key priorities:

• More People, More Often: Growing participation and helping people develop lifelong connections with the water. 
• More Backgrounds: Opening opportunities and creating welcoming communities where everyone feels they belong. 
• Better Blue Spaces: Protecting and enhancing the waters that connect us - people who feel connected to blue spaces are more likely to care for them. 
• Brilliant Basics: Providing the strong foundations, systems, and support that enable everything the RYA does. 

Read the wrap up report from the RYA Junior Club Championships and discover more about Together on Water.