RYA Club of the Year 2017 finalists announced
The overall winner of the RYA Club of the Year 2017 will be announced at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace, London, on 4 March.
Five clubs have been shortlisted for the award which was relaunched in September by gold medallists Hannah Mills and Saskia Clark. The finalists have each been recognised for their achievements across five brand new categories:
· Communication: Rudyard Lake Sailing Club
· Facility Development: Whitefriars Sailing Club
· Inclusivity: Tees and Hartlepool Yacht Club
· Increasing Participation: Ullswater Yacht Club
· Innovation: Heart of England Offshore Cruising Association
This year the panel also decided to award three clubs with Certificates of Commendation. Midland Sailing Club, Nottinghamshire County Sailing Club and Skye Sailing Club have all done outstanding work but narrowly missed out on being selected as a finalists.
RYA Club Support Advisor Jackie Bennetts said: “We are delighted to announce the five finalists for this year’s RYA Club of the Year Award. All these clubs have worked hard to create outstanding projects and activities which make it possible for more people to enjoy being on the water at their venue and to continue to sail regularly.
“The award offers the opportunity to acknowledge and thank the members who are responsible for creating successful, vibrant sailing clubs in the UK. Without their ongoing support and commitment we would not be able to offer the range or quality of activities which are crucial to the continued success of both our clubs and our sport.”
The finalist awards will be presented on the Suzuki Mainstage at 16:00 before the overall winner is revealed by RYA Chief Executive Sarah Treseder and The British Sailing Team’s Ben Saxton.
