New categories announced for RYA Club of the Year Awards 2024
Nominations for the RYA Club of the Year Awards are now open, with the introduction of new categories for 2024.
The Club of the Year Awards celebrate the achievements and dedication of RYA-Affiliated Clubs across the United Kingdom. RYA says the refreshed format will widen the scope of the awards and allow greater recognition for individual clubs’ hard work and achievements.
The categories are:
- Community Club of the Year
- Green Club of the Year
- Active Club of the Year
- Young Persons’ Club of the Year
- Overall Club of the Year
The changes to this year’s Club of the Year awards are designed to showcase the outstanding achievements of clubs in areas crucial to the sailing community.
The Community Club of the Year celebrates clubs that have created inclusive opportunities, while the Green Club of the Year recognises efforts to improve environmental credentials. The Active Club of the Year category acknowledges clubs that have developed diverse participation and volunteering opportunities, pathways, and training.
Finally, the Young Persons’ Club of the Year honours clubs that inspire, support, and develop young people aged 25 and under in their boating journey. The Overall Club of the Year will be selected from the four category winners.
“The creation of new categories allows us to highlight and learn from the many initiatives and projects our clubs are working on,” explains RYA programmes manager Michelle Gent.
“We are very excited, as we are every year, to hear the amazing stories from our fantastic clubs through the submissions for these annual awards. We hope that by implementing these new changes, the awards will appeal to more clubs and be further reaching than ever before.”
The winner of each category will receive one of four prizes provided by RYA partners, including a Safety Boat package from Suzuki and boat package from RS Sailing.
The nomination form for Club of the Year 2024 is now available, and will be available until 28 August 2023.
The award ceremony will take place at the 2024 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show at Farnborough International, from 24-25 February 2024.
Following feedback from clubs and members, the Awards Panel will now select the overall winners. Awards panellist, Ian Brown from Delph Sailing Club, says: “Having been a COTY finalist in the past, we valued the recognition for our club and the efforts of our volunteers. As a panellist, it is really inspiring to see what clubs have been working on.
“I have certainly taken away some ideas from the applications for what our club could be doing. I am looking forward to hearing all about the exciting developments clubs have been dedicating time to.”
Lymington Town Sailing Club (LTSC) was named the 2023 winner of the RYA and Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year, supported by Gallagher. Gallagher is also supporting the 2024 edition of the awards.
