Sunsail announces winners of Funding the Future initiative at Southampton International Boat Show
by Sunsail 14 Sep 07:32 BST
13 September 2024
Funding the Future initiative winners © Sunsail
Sunsail unveils the winners of its highly acclaimed Funding the Future initiative, announced at the Southampton International Boat Show 2024.
This year's competition, which supports sailing and yacht clubs across the UK, attracted entries from more than 60 yacht clubs, each showcasing the dedication and innovation within the sailing community. The winners were revealed at a special ceremony on the first day of the Southampton International Boat Show, held on the Sunsail stand on Friday 13 September 2024.
Crowned as the overall winner and receiving the grand prize of £6,000 was West Lancashire Yacht Club in Southport. Yeadon Sailing Club and Rudyard Lake Sailing Club were also recognised as the two runners-up, each securing £2,000. The prizes are intended to support each club's vision for enhancing their facilities, developing new programmes and promoting greater accessibility to sailing.
West Lancashire Yacht Club received a unanimous vote from the judges to be selected for the top spot. The club impressed the judges with its innovative plans for its grassroots sailing development programme, with the purchase of dinghies, safety equipment and instructional materials, as well as supporting the training of volunteers and instructors. The panel was also impressed with the club's strong partnership with Norwood Primary School and how the club plans to establish after-school sailing clubs and develop an in-house training programme.
Dee Caffari, Sunsail ambassador and one of the judges for the competition, says, "We were so impressed with West Lancashire's proposal as it promises to make a significant, long-term impact on the community, ensuring that sailing becomes accessible and enjoyable for all local children, regardless of their financial background. "
Yeadon Sailing Club was selected as a runner-up, with judges recognising the club's heart and passion for wanting to expand its training fleet and significantly improve accessibility to sailing within the community.
Rudyard Lake Sailing Club was also honoured as a runner-up, with judges recognising the club's plans to fund the upgrade of their training storage facility, the Mud Hut, and purchasing new sails and rigging for Toppers and Picos - which will drastically boost the club's sustainability and engagement in sailing for future generations.
Katrina Lawson, Sunsail's Head of Brand and Acquisitions, says, "We have been impressed by the standard of entries for Funding the Future this year. This initiative holds a special place in our hearts, reflecting our commitment to supporting sailing communities across the UK.
"The entries we received from clubs across the country are a testament to the dedication and creativity within the sailing community, highlighting clear visions, and the potential for making a significant and lasting impact on the clubs and their wider communities. Funding the Future is more than just offering financial support - it's about empowering clubs to create positive change and we're honoured to be part of that journey."
Dee Caffari MBE, adds, "I was very aware of the need for inclusivity and accessibility when reviewing the entries, and it was fantastic to see proposals that not only aimed to enhance facilities but also created meaningful pathways into sailing for diverse communities. The passion and creativity is evident in these winners and it was an honour to be part of the process. I felt very connected to the applications as they reminded me of the joy I had sailing when I was younger."
Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of YachtsandYachting.com said, "It was great to see so many entries for Sunsail's Funding the Future, but wow did it make our job tricky as judges! So many of the entries had worthy aspects to them, but the winners presented a vision which was achievable and would have a real impact. I believe the future of sailing is in good hands with so many clubs and organisations thinking up novel and sustainable ideas for getting more people out on the water."
Rob Clark from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), adds, "It was a privilege to be on the Funding the Future judging panel and see the incredible initiatives across RYA venues, providing opportunities for new and existing audiences to enjoy the water, seek out new challenges, and promote sustainability. With so many excellent projects, choosing the final three was difficult. While we know those selected will make the most of Sunsail's generous investment, at the RYA, we hope to work with many more venues that showed interest, through our regional teams and funding officers. Thanks to Sunsail for supporting this initiative."
Sunsail is already looking ahead to the next Funding the Future competition, inspired by the success of this year's initiative. To discover more about Sunsail and their ongoing support for sailing, please visit www.sunsail.com/uk.