We held the SW Affiliated Clubs Conference last Saturday, 05 November at Queen’s College in Taunton. There was a really buzzing atmosphere, and so much news to tell everyone. We had more than 80 delegates and it was a packed and positive day. You must already be following one of our channels to be reading this, but as I said at the ACC, please make sure you see all of them – check this monthly blog, follow the SW Facebook page and sign up for RYA Clubroom to make sure we can keep you up-to-date!
PE Teachers conference for Cornwall schools
I’m giving a talk about OnBoard at a conference for PE Teachers in Cornish schools on 29 November. On behalf of all the OnBoard clubs in Cornwall, I’ll be discussing the wide range of invaluable life skills OnBoard offers schoolchildren.
I’m hoping that my presentation will excite some interest – so are your instructors ready to deliver OnBoard? If they would benefit from a free OnBoard training day to ensure they’re prepared, please contact me and we’ll arrange one at your club. And if you belong to a club or Training Centre with connections into meetings like this one, please introduce me. Ideally, I’d love to go and talk to teacher groups in every county in the region.
Funding
Funding is always an issue for clubs, which is why it was the subject of a workshop at the Affiliated Clubs Conference. But don’t forget about the RYA’s community funding tool (in partnership with Idox) which will help you find the right funding partner, advice about getting ready for funding applications, and country specific information.
Just one example: I signed up to receive notifications myself, and in the recent monthly email I received, I was told about the Comic Relief fund, which is open till 30 November, to help people working with social deprivation or strengthening young people’s mental health.
RYA Facilities and Utilities (Cost of Living) survey
We know that running costs for your club are going to increase, and the environmental department team are working hard to help with solutions. For example, they’re currently looking at bulk buying solar panels – more news on that as we get it. We want your input now so we can offer you the support you need.
Please complete the Facilities and Utilities survey – the deadline has been extended to 12 December.
Regional Club of the Year
I am absolutely delighted to announce that Whitefriars Sailing Club has been named as the South West Club of the Year, and goes forward to the national RYA Club of the Year competition.
Voting opens on 01 December and closes 23 January – please look out on all our channels for the voting link when it goes live, and help make sure we have another national Club of the Year from the South West.
Junior racing news from Regional Performance Manager, Duncan West
I really enjoyed seeing so many people at the Affiliated Clubs Conference!
The British Youth Sailing Regional Training Group programme kicked off over half-term, and it’s been great to see so many young sailors out on the water in all classes.
And if you are thinking about training more race coaches at your club, please give me a call on 07747 111447 so that we can discuss setting up a RCL2 course.
RDO Rob Howlett
07876 330374
rob.howlett@rya.org.uk
