Entries open for RYA Club of the Year
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Applications are now open for the 2022 RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year award, which celebrates the outstanding achievement and hard work of sailing clubs in the UK.
All RYA affiliated clubs are eligible to apply, and the awards panel will select a finalist for each of the ten RYA regions as well as two ‘wild card’ entries. During the shortlisting stage, the panel will also provide five clubs with recognition for achievements in the following five areas:
Heart of the community
Recognition for a club that has worked tirelessly to support its local community. This could be through the efforts of volunteers working within their local area for good causes, sharing club facilities with those in need or opening their club up to local community groups to get out on the water.
Modern, innovative and forward thinking
Recognition for a club that makes a break from traditional ways of running a club or delivering boating activity. This could be delivering different formats of training or racing to engage new participants, creating new membership models, or embracing the use of modern communications.
Sustainability
Recognition for a club that has embraced sustainability and demonstrably reduced its own and/or its member’s impact on the environment through education, action, or improved facilities.
Inclusive and open to all
Recognition for a club or project which has been impactful in developing participation among people with disabilities or from other under-represented or disadvantaged groups.
Boosting membership
Recognition for a club that has delivered the most impactful participation project, the outcomes of which are attracting and retaining new participants and growing their membership.
“We’ve learnt over the years that each club is different, and all have their strengths and weaknesses,” explains Rob Clark, RYA director of sport development. “Don’t worry if your club is not perfect in all areas, we’d still love to hear about your story and recognise the amazing things you do – give it a go and you never know, you could be the next Club of the Year!”
Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting group editor, Rob Peake, adds: “We are always delighted to support the Club of the Year competition, which showcases the best grassroots sailing clubs and the hard work put in by volunteers to make those clubs successful in boosting membership and getting more people afloat.”
Club applications close on 20 September and all finalists go through to a public vote. The overall winner will be selected by RYA members, Yachts & Yachting readers and the panel, and will be announced at the RYA Dinghy Show in February 2022.
