Bookings open for 2021 RYA Conference 

Booking is now open for the 2021 RYA Affiliated Clubs Conference, with the November event being held in person and virtually.

Following the success of last year’s streamed conference, this new virtual and in-person hybrid approach will provide national RYA updates online on 8 November from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. This will be followed by regional events where clubs can meet and reconnect over the winter.

The theme of the conference will be ‘planning ahead for a successful future’. All the events are free for delegates from RYA affiliated clubs and registration is now open.

Double Olympic gold medallist and broadcaster, Shirley Robertson will again host the national event and keynote speakers so far include RYA director of racing, Ian Walker and RYA director of sport development, Rob Clark, with more special guests to be announced.

The RYA says the evening will be an opportunity for club committee members, staff and volunteers to explore latest insights and trends, real-life case studies and an ‘expo’ area, where delegates can talk to RYA staff and find out about the support available for RYA affiliated clubs.

Gareth Brookes, RYA regional development officer manager, says: “So much has changed over the last 18 months so it’s a good time to take stock and consider how we now push on from here with confidence and ambition. The conference will enable clubs to learn from each other and find out more about how the RYA can support their activities and development plans over the forthcoming year and beyond.”

The online conference will be recorded so anyone unsure about their availability to attend is still invited to register so they can catch up with the evening at a time to suit them.

The RYA says its regional and home country events over the winter will provide an opportunity for clubs and their representatives to meet up in person at venues where they will be able to take part in workshops.

Most regional events will include a practical morning workshop looking at how clubs can plan for a successful future. There will then be two rounds of afternoon workshops with a focus on what clubs have told the RYA is important for them, examining how to: recruit and retain volunteers; develop and replace facilities; recruit and retain more members; and manage governance and legal issues.

Brookes adds: “These regional events will be all about really setting clubs up to move forward over the coming year and as always there will be lots of opportunities to network and share ideas. Our aim is for clubs to emerge from these conference events with a head start on what they can do and where they can go for further information, plus lots of inspiration and know-how!”

 The dates and venues for this year’s RYA Affiliated Clubs Conference are:

• National RYA Affiliated Clubs Conference: Monday 8th November from 7.30pm-9.30pm, online event for all clubs.
• South: 13 November 2021 – National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton SO14 3ZH
• South West: 20 November 2021 – South Devon College, Hi Tech & Digital Centre, Vantage Point, Long Road, Paignton TQ4 7EJ
• London & South East: 21 November 2021 – New Line Learning Academy, Boughton Lane, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 9QL
• East: 27 November 2021 – Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Ipswich, IP9 2RX
• Midlands: 28 November 2021 – The National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire, DE13 7AR
• North East: 4 December 2021 – Catterick Race Course, Catterick Bridge, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL10 7PE
• North West: 5 December 2021 – Anderton Centre, New Road, Chorley, PR6 9HG
• Wales: A series of online events running in the evenings of the week commencing 22nd November 2021 
• Scotland: 6 March 2022, venue TBC
• Northern Ireland: 22 January 2022, venue TBC