The Intention
Underpinning “Racing for Life” with a clear aim to make racing fun, develop great fundamentals and create a lifelong love of sailing, the Pathway Club programme intends to support clubs or groups of smaller clubs (Hubs) to create fun, accessible environments where young people develop as racers and feel part of a bigger team.
Focusing on junior sailors, Pathway Clubs will enable young people to access affordable, high-quality junior racing and race coaching once they have learnt to sail.
The sailors should be able to train and race regularly, enabling them to progress their skills most of the year.
A RYA Pathway Club will likely be a single entity, such as an RYA Affiliated Club or a Recognised Training Centre (RTC). Alternatively, several smaller clubs/RTCs may work closely together to provide a combined programme for their sailors (Hub).
Please Note: When we refer to Pathway Club in this document, please take this to mean Club or Hub from here on in.
The intention is to support a number of clubs in each region that will champion each junior class (one or more class per club) and deliver high-quality racing and coaching without requiring junior sailors to travel long distances to access race coaching or competition.
Encouraging a “Team” culture, club activities should include developing sailors so that all juniors can sail and train together. As the Pathway Club Junior Race Team develops as racers, they should be encouraged to travel as a team to other regional and national events to represent their Pathway Club team and as individuals.
A Pathway Club will provide a safe, enjoyable learning environment in both race training and competitive racing.
The hallmarks of a Pathway Club
- The provision of an easily accessed, high quality, and most importantly, fun race training programme that leads to regular participation and racing.
- An active junior community, fostering a lifelong love of sailing, that enables participation as a “Team” to represent their club/hub at regional events.
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Governance and Documentation |
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Essential |
Desirable |
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Safeguarding Policy with a named Welfare Officer (1) |
Young people represented on your club committee. |
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Criminal Disclosure Checks for staff/volunteers in regulated activity (1) |
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Safety Management System (1) |
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Equality Policy (ED&I Policy) (1) |
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Complaints Handling Process (1) |
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Anti-doping awareness in line with the RYA Sail Clean Strategy (1) - Poster on display in club/venue |
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Nominated Club / Hub contact |
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Nominated lead coach/instructor for liaison on Coach Support and Development (this could be the same person as above) |
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In the case of a Pathway Hub - A signed agreement/terms of reference between the Club / Hub |
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A plan for a long-term, sustainable junior and youth racing programme. |
Performance development plan as part of a wider club development plan |
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Your club agrees to deliver racing activity in line with the RYA Racing Charter. |
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Equipment and Facilities |
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Essential |
Desirable |
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Club-owned fleet of Pathway boats available for junior racing and the race coaching sessions (2) (6 boats minimum (3)) |
Selection of single-handed and doublehanded pathway boats available for hire. |
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Powerboats (at the RYA recommended standard) |
A selection of powerboats so that training can continue in more challenging conditions and with faster dinghies |
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Training Marks |
Access to a minibus to enable sailors to attend events as a team |
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Training room with a whiteboard / TV and training aids |
Multi-stack trailers |
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Suitable sailing area available for nine months of the year (2) |
Links with other clubs to provide more experienced sailors with a varied experience of sailing conditions. |
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Changing areas, toilets, etc. |
Separate cubicles for changing/showering. |
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Activity |
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Essential |
Desirable |
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At least two Race Coaches or Race Coach Level 1 endorsed Dinghy Instructors/Senior Instructors, with at least one being a Race Coach Level 2 or 3. |
Equal split of male/female coaches. |
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At least ten junior sailors regularly participating in junior coaching and racing activities. |
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At least one RYA Junior Pathway Class being raced and trained at the club. |
Various RYA Junior Pathway Classes being raced and trained at the club. |
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Regular Race Coaching and Racing delivered throughout nine months of the year for Junior / Youth sailors (2) |
Use of school holidays for longer training camps potentially joined with other clubs. |
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Evidence of a comprehensive coaching programme that uses the RYA Racing Scheme as a framework and progresses sailors from start racing to club and regional racing levels. |
A RYA Recognised Training Centre (RTC) |
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A clear Pathway structure at the club from Learn to Sail> Race training > Start to Race> Regional Racing > National Events. |
The club is an RYA OnBoard club. |
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Regular junior and youth racing, which can be either club or coach-led. (4) |
The club has an appetite to trial new engaging race formats. |
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Annual Pathway Club hosted open event for junior sailors that will (when established) form a series amongst the other Pathway Clubs in the region. (5) |
The club creates a team identity. |
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The club actively encourages and supports attendance at class-organised events, as well as the RYA Eric Twiname Junior Championships and other RYA Events. |
The club has initiatives to support junior and youth sailors in progressing to adult club racing. |
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Supports young sailors in developing skills to become RYA Instructor/Race Coach Level 1/2. |
(1) Part of the RYA Affiliation expectations.
(2) This may be achieved by making arrangements with a neighbouring club.
(3) Either 6 boats of the same pathway class OR 6 boats consisting of two different pathway classes, with evidence of high participation in both classes through members who own their own boats.
(4) Regular = Clubs should aim for this to be weekly during the summer and, for the more experienced sailors, at least monthly during the coldest winter months.
(5) This may be an already established open event that is being delivered by your club and can be held in the form of either a class or a handicap race. In the case of a handicap race, this may include non-Pathway class boats.
RYA Support and Benefits of being an RYA Pathway Club
- Your club is seen as a Centre of Excellence for Developing Junior Racing.
- Discounted coaching courses (RCL2 / RCL3) prioritised at Pathway Club.
- Coach and Club Mentoring / Club volunteer support.
- Access to British Youth Sailing (BYS) coaching resources (good practice videos, class-specific tuning / set up guides, exercises provided centrally by RYA Lead Coaches)
- Access to regional BYS Learning and Development programme of CPD for coaching workforce (training weekends and online).
- Online workshops for coaches and sailors with webinars on – rules, tides, tactics, meteorology, fitness, hydration, nutrition etc.
- Access to a list of accredited coaches and support navigating the professional coach model. • Team/club rash vests for use at events.
- A chance to qualify and enter a team for The RYA Junior Club Championships Grand Final • Access to prizes for hosted Pathway Club events.
- Advice on the creation/development of the performance/racing section within the club development plan.
- Advice on the creation of a Pathway Hub, if necessary.
- Support with promoting your club’s Pathway Club status award with posters and press release templates.
- A pack of sample RYA publications for use and reference when race coaching is taking place.
- Pathway Club plaque and flag.
Application Process
- All clubs interested in the programme can formally apply through the RYA Portal (Just Go). Upon application, the club will meet with the RYA Pathway Club Manager or RYA Representative to consider the application and agree on how the club and the RYA can work together to help achieve the RYA Pathway status criteria.
- Once the Pathway Club criteria has been met, the status will be awarded, and a programme will commence with ongoing RYA support and guidance, where necessary. February 2025 Please note that we anticipate the application process will vary in duration depending on the club and its current activity level. We intend to visit a club within three months of receiving its formal application submission; however, the final approval may take longer based on the actions the club must complete following the visit.
Revalidation Process
- Pathway Club status will be an annual appointment. Clubs will be expected to ensure they maintain any stated standards/criteria.
- The annual return will be administrated through the RYA Portal (Just Go).
- The aim is for the Pathway Club Manager or RYA Representative to meet with the club at least every two years to review progress against their junior development plan and identify any additional support needs.
Questions and Contact
RYA Pathway Club Manager: Hannah Wilcox
RYA Pathway Club Rollout
December 2024
Selected pilot clubs from across the country test the Pathway Club application process.
January 2025
RYA Pathway Club Manager visits pilot clubs as part of the application testing process.
February 2025
01/02 February – Stakeholders Conference (part of the wider Pathway Evolution consultation) 22/23 February – RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2025: RYA Pathway Club Launch Following the Dinghy Show, all clubs will be invited to apply formally through the RYA Portal (Just Go).
March-May 2025
Once clubs have completed their formal application, they will meet with the RYA Pathway Club Manager or RYA Representative to agree on how the club and the RYA can collaborate to help achieve and maintain the RYA Pathway status.
NB. The status may be awarded during or after the club visit, depending on the club's progress towards meeting the criteria.
Summer 2025
Summer coaching/racing activity for Juniors within Pathway Clubs.
Clubs access the support and benefits available to Pathway Clubs.
Clubs are invited to enter the pilot Junior Club Championships Grand Final, which will be held at the end of the summer of 2025.
Winter 2025
Winter coaching/racing activity for Juniors within Pathway Clubs.
Clubs access the support and benefits available to Pathway Clubs
The RYA Pathway Club Manager will review and refine the programme for the benefit of recognised clubs and junior sailors.
Along with input from the clubs, the RYA Pathway Club Manager and RYA Events Dept. will develop the qualification criteria for the Junior Club Championships Grand Final.
