On Saturday 28th February Marconi Sailing Club members made their way to the RYA Dinghy Show for the presentation of our RYA Champion Club status.
At 2pm our commodore Michaela Dowley was invited onto the stage by Paul Wren, RYA High Performance Manager to be handed the flag and plaque from Olympic Laser Sailor Nick Thompson. Shortly after, the Marconi members also took to the stage for a photo opportunity in front of the RYA Dinghy Show visitors.
Thanks go to club member Lee Harrison who has helped to push this through with the RYA.
What is an RYA Champion Club?
As a RYA Champion Club, Marconi can now enjoy the support and help of the RYA in achieving its aims. RYA Champion Clubs are entitled to a series of benefits, including development advice and support from their local RYA High Performance Manager on:
- Continuously recruiting young sailors into the sport at the right age for them to have the best chances of achieving success in the future.
- Recruiting, training and contracting in coaches to support the delivery of club programmes.
- Providing a safe training and racing environment.
- Increasing the level of parental volunteer support.
- Making the best use of the Class Open Training programmes and open competition circuits.
- The structure of the club programme to optimise the development of young sailors and retain them.
- Promoting the programme.
- Securing additional financial support resources.
In addition, the RYA will provide Marconi with access to the following benefits:
- The accreditation and branding of an RYA Centre of Excellence
- Access to best practice workshops on a range of topics delivered locally at RYA Club and Coach Conferences
- Assistance and expert advice in compiling a club development plan in order to enable clubs to meet their objectives
- Consultancy and support from your local HPM
- RYA newsletters, keeping clubs, coaches, and sailors up to date with all the latest developments and forthcoming events in junior racing.
- Accreditation. All RYA Champion Clubs receive the commemorative club plaque, flag and official branding rights
- The opportunity to develop links to gain additional financial support