During Volunteers’ Week 2023 in early June, the RYA Scotland staff welcomed our board and other supportive volunteers to the Falkirk Wheel to say thank you. We all enjoyed pizza straight from the oven and many had a shot on the electric boats in the shadow of the Wheel. We acknowledge that RYA Scotland, and indeed the boating community, could not function effectively without our volunteers, so once again: thank you for all you do.
Also in June, RYA Scotland released our first Impact Report, showing progress on our Strategic Plan for 2022 – 2025: People, Places and Communities. The report illustrates the impact RYA Scotland has had on boating in Scotland, but also celebrates much of the work done by clubs and individuals within the boating community. Have a look and share your thoughts.
RYA Scotland Rules Adviser Craig Evans has been busy over the last few months giving rules talks at several clubs around Scotland, from Prestwick Sailing Club in the West to Royal Findhorn Yacht Club in the North, and many places in between, as well as an online presentation to the Orkney clubs for their sailing team ahead of the Island Games in Guernsey (8-14 July 2023). If your club would like a visit for a Rules presentation, please contact Craig at ryasrulesadvisor@gmail.com or 07714 125381.
All RYA affiliated clubs should have received email notification that the 2023 Club Membership Census is open. Thank you to those who have already completed it. The RYA and RYA Scotland need this input to produce a picture of membership across both the UK and Scotland. It is important for reporting to sportscotland and the UK Sports Councils, but it is also vital to allow us to track the health of our sport over time. The results are valuable to us as organisations, and the intent is that they are useful for clubs too. If you have suggestions on how the census can be improved, if the club has not received notification, or if you have questions, please contact your RDO.
The June Connect Call was another engaging conversation for all who attended. If you missed it and have questions about grant funding and how you might use Theory of Change to improve your success, please contact your RDO. The next Connect Call will be Wednesday 2 August at 7PM on Zoom. Please share any suggestions for call topics with your RDO.
Speaking of grants, here are few options for clubs to consider:
- National Lottery Awards for All Scotland (Please ensure your RDO is aware of any application for this funding as they will likely be consulted during the review process.)
- Magic Little Grants
- Aldi Scottish Sport Fund (Open until 16 July for Glasgow and Central West Scotland; opening 17 July for Dundee, Tayside, Perth, Kinross, and Fife)
- Tesco Community Grants
- Peter Harrison Foundation – Opportunities Through Sport and Physical Activity
- Baillie Gifford Grassroots Sports Fund
Registration is open for the 2023 Onboard Introductory Festivals:
- East, Monikie Country Park, 26 August
- North, Lochcarron Sailing Club, 2 September
- West, James Hamilton Heritage Park 3 September
These events aim to gather young sailors for first time experiences or their first event away from their home club. The focus is on creating a fun atmosphere and bringing sailors together from across their region. Register now and watch for final details nearer the time.
Are you interested in gaining the knowledge and confidence to enable people with disabilities to take part in boating, feel welcome and to share in a passion for getting on the water? An RYA Disability Awareness course will be delivered at Clyde Cruising Club’s Dinghy Section at Bardowie Loch on Saturday the 29th of July. Register for free.
The RYA Scotland Disability Sailing Day will now be held on the 30th of July. This is an opportunity to come and try disability sailing in fully accessible Hansa 303 Dinghies. There will be the opportunity to receive informal coaching whilst free-sailing with the option to undertake some racing in the afternoon. This free day will also take place at CCC Dinghy Section at Bardowie Loch, a wheelchair and disability friendly venue. Registration is still open.
Join our sustainable boating community and take the Green Blue Pledge! The Boating Pledge allows you to show your commitment to making your boating more environmentally sustainable by pledging to respect, protect, and enjoy our inland and marine waters. Clubs and centres can also request a Pledge Promotional Toolkit to use in your own media communication and promote the Pledge to members and customers.
Nominations for the sportscotland 2023 Coaching, Officiating & Volunteering (COV) Awards are now open! If you know someone who has made a positive impact through sport, this is a great way to thank them for their hard work and dedication, as well as raising the profile of sport. Categories include:
- Young Coach of the Year
- School Sport Volunteer of the Year
- Community Coach of the Year
- Disability Sport Coach of the Year
- Performance Pathway Coach of the Year
- Coach Developer of the Year
- High Performance Coach of the Year
- Young Official of the Year
- Official of the Year
- Young Volunteer of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Lifetime Contribution Award
Nominations are accepted until Wednesday the 9th of August.
Nominations are also still open for the 2024 RYA Club of the Year Awards in the following categories:
- Community Club of the Year
- Green Club of the Year
- Active Club of the Year
- Young Persons’ Club of the Year
The Overall Club of the Year will be selected from the four category winners. Take just a few minutes and nominate an exceptional club today.
RYAS Scotland is always taking nominations for our Impact Awards. You can visit the RYAS YouTube Channel to see some of our recent winners.
sportscotland recently launched a photo of the month competition on Instagram. They want to share photos showing the joy of taking part in sport and physical activity and showcase the variety of ways in which people participate. Anyone can enter their photo throughout the month using #sportscotlandphoto and #SportForLife, as well as tagging @sportscotland_. Members of the Young People’s Sport Panel will select a top three each month which will then feature in a vote on their Instagram story. Show the joy of sailing and windsurfing and share your photos!
Please do not hesitate to make contact if you have questions or areas where we might be able to support. Send us a message at Development@RYAScotland.org.uk.
All the best from The Development Team – Laura, Brian & Liza
10/7/23
