RYA News Release
Felpham Sailing Club has been recognised as one of Britain’s top sailing clubs after being shortlisted for the prestigious RYA Club of the Year Award.
Sailing’s national governing body, the RYA, presents the annual award in recognition of clubs who excel at promoting the sport of sailing, encouraging people on to the water and making their activities varied and accessible to the community.
The overall 2013 winner from the shortlist of five will be revealed by Skandia Team GBR’s Kate Macgregor at the RYA Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace, London on Saturday 2 March.
Situated on the seafront at Bognor Regis, Felpham SC has an astonishing number of activities on offer with a growing youth section. The club has a strong emphasis on getting new people into sailing through Open Days and activities with other local organisations. Felpham runs RYA training courses, encourages youngsters to sail through the RYA’s OnBoard scheme, and runs Saturday ‘taster sessions’ for complete beginners. A Friday Youth Night also attracts new youngsters and their families, while the more experienced club members help with training. Training is also given at all levels for both sailing and powerboating. A busy programme of competitive racing and cruising is offered along with plenty of social activities and shore based courses. The club runs a number of regattas which attract visiting sailors. Most importantly, the club’s activities have helped double the number of young and new sailors as well as more women sailors. The many volunteers have also contributed to the growth of the active membership.
Commodore Paula Bentley commented “We are delighted to have been nominated for the RYA’s Club of the Year. So many people at the club have worked hard to grown our membership and to give as many people as possible the chance to discover and improve their sailing and motor boating.”
Jackie Bennetts, RYA Volunteer Development Officer and awards coordinator, said: “We are delighted to announce Felpham SC as finalists for 2013 RYA Club of the Year. The award celebrates the outstanding achievements of the people who work to create vibrant clubs in the UK. Without the ongoing support and commitment from individual members, clubs would not exist and certainly would not offer the range or quality of activities which is crucial to the continued success of both clubs and our sport.”
The other four nominees for RYA Club of the Year 2013 are Holywood SC (Co Down), Notts County SC (Nottinghamshire), Staunton Herald SC (Derbyshire) and Papercourt SC (Surrey). The RYA Club of the Year Awards are supported by Gallagher Heath Insurance Services.
To find out more about the RYA Dinghy Show visit www.dinghyshow.org.uk