Sunsail’s ‘Funding the Future’ aims to boost UK’s grassroots sailing
2024 grand prize winners West Lancashire Yacht Club
Leading yacht charter company, Sunsail, has announced the return of its ‘Funding the Future’ initiative, a programme offering sailing clubs and charities across the UK the chance to secure financial support for grassroots development.
The 2025 edition will officially launch at the RYA Dinghy and Watersport Show on 23 February, with a live announcement and panel discussion on the Sunsail Main Stage at 13:00.
Now in its second year, the initiative provides £6,000 for the winning entry, while two runners-up will each receive £2,000. The programme is open to RYA-affiliated sailing and yacht clubs, sailing charities, and members of the British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA).
Applications must be submitted by Friday, 23 May, detailing how the funding would be used to enhance club facilities, develop new programmes, purchase equipment or improve sustainability efforts. A panel of industry experts will assess the applications.
Returning judges include Dee Caffari MBE, Sunsail ambassador and sailor; Mark Jardine, managing director of yachtsandyachting.com; Rob Clark, director of sport development at RYA; and Katrina Lawson, head of Sunsail brand and acquisitions.
Highlighting last year’s success, Rob Clark says: “The 2024 programme highlighted some amazing examples of how our sailing clubs are thinking creatively and adapting their offering to meet the needs of their local communities and an evolving sport and recreation environment. I am hugely grateful to Sunsail for continuing to fund this initiative and to our clubs for taking the time and effort to share their ideas.”
Since winning the funding last year, West Lancashire Yacht Club in Southport has developed its school programme and bought new safety equipment. This year, with the funding, the club plans to get more primary schools involved to expand the programme further.
New to the panel this year is Katy Stickland, editor at Practical Boat Owner and Yachting Monthly, who says: “Clubs across the UK play such a valuable role in nurturing the grassroots of our sport, which is essential to find the sailors of the future, and initiatives like Sunsail’s ‘Funding the Future’ are vital to help ensure club members and volunteers can continue to run programmes and events and buy equipment to boost membership and make sailing accessible to everyone. I am really looking forward to reading about how clubs plan to innovate to achieve that.”
Commenting on the initiative, Dee Caffari MBE adds: “The future of our sport relies on the next generation of sailors; they are often nurtured by dedicated volunteers who make the magic happen. To fall in love with sailing, you need to be inspired and encouraged by someone who shares that passion. Being part of ‘Funding the Future’ last year, I was overwhelmed by the power and desire of the clubs applying—each playing a vital role in driving our sport forward, making it more inclusive and accessible than ever.”
Katrina Lawson adds: “Sailing clubs are the backbone of the sport, often driven by dedicated volunteers who create opportunities for young sailors to get out on the water and develop their passion. At Sunsail, we’re proud to play a role in shaping the future of sailing, and we look forward to seeing the inspiring projects this year’s funding will support.”
The 2025 winners will be announced at the Southampton International Boat Show on Friday, 19 September, following a review of all submissions. Full details on eligibility and how to apply are available through Sunsail.
