Hello,
I, along with the South team, are busy preparing for the South Regional Training Day, which takes place in just a few days’ time. Final preparations are now underway, and I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone and running a successful day.
With are, of course, in an Olympic year and with this, there is always in an increase in the interest of sport.
Discover Sailing
To capitalize on this and help increase membership, have you thought about running a Discover Sailing event? An Open Day can be a great way to help attract those people whose interest may peak in our sport this year. I’m sure there will be lots of sailing action to thrill us all this year, including the 470 which has just qualified for a place at the biggest sporting event of the year.
Discover Sailing resources really can help clubs to run a successful day. You can find all the information here.
RYA Funding Finder
In addition to Discover Sailing, clubs can also take advantage of other RYA Resources including the Funding Finder. If your club is looking for funding to improve what you offer or to fund projects to get more people active on the water then do check out this invaluable resource. It will help you explore the different funding options available. The webpage to find out more information is here.
Training and courses
The last of the on-the-water sessions for the Instructor Academy, which focuses on Dinghy Instructor to Senior Instructor development, is taking place soon (23rd March). The Academy, so far, has been really successful – it’s purpose is to mentor and support people looking to progress onto being a Senior Instructor. The support it gives is really invaluable. Dates for 2024-2025 will be announced soon.
A Senior Instructor course is taking place over the weekends of 20/21 and 27/28 April. The first weekend will be at Great Moor Sailing Club and the second is Emberton Park Sailing Club. Book here.
RYA Connected Forums
The first of the March RYA Connected Forums has now taken place and we have four more venues to choose from. They all have the same focus of Volunteering. These forums are really not to missed and provide an excellent space for clubs to learn how to recruit and motivate membership to be more engaged in volunteering.
During the session we will look into how your club can promoting the benefits of volunteering for volunteers, how to recruit and co-ordinate volunteers, and how to promote the difference volunteers can make.
The March forums still to take place are:
Wednesday 20th Royal Lymington Yacht Club Book here.
Thursday 21st Haversham Sailing Club Book here.
Wednesday 27th Porchester Sailing Club Book here.
Thursday 28th Royal Victoria Yacht Club IoW Book here.
And finally….
I am sad to announce that our lovely Sailing Development Officer, Polly Schafer, has left the RYA South team. I would like to thank Polly for all her hard work and wish her all the best. Please do get in touch with me if you have any questions, I am always looking for people to help support the region.
Until next time,
Susie
