RYA boosted by Sport England funding to help more people get afloat

Sport England Funding © Paul Wyeth / RYA

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is among the first group of over 40 organisations working in partnership with Sport England to benefit from its new funding model, as it plays a foundational role in the sport and physical activity sector and is well placed to help level up access to sport and physical activity across the country.

The RYA has been awarded the long-term government and National Lottery funding from Sport England because it has committed to co-deliver change at a national and local level, to help more people enjoy the benefits of playing sport and being active.

This is the first step on a journey to revolutionise Sport England's approach to long-term partnerships which will see it build new relationships with innovative organisations, as well with existing partners, local partners and delivery partners to further the Uniting the Movement strategy.

More than £190 million is being invested for this first group, with the 43 partners including the RYA receiving funding for up to five years. This new funding model from Sport England provides longer-term financial security as organisations recover and reinvent from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sport England's support and funding are critically important in sustaining a broad range of RYA initiatives, including Sailability and other grassroots programmes such as OnBoard - the RYA's children's sailing and windsurfing programme - and our youth and junior performance pathway.

Rob Clark, RYA Director of Sport Development, said: "This vital support and funding from Sport England will ensure that we are well-positioned to do all we can to create opportunities for members of all communities to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of getting afloat - and for boating activity to be truly inclusive.

"We are proud to be working as a partner of Sport England to create a more equal society with everyone benefitting from sport and physical activity."

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of Sport England, said: "Sport England's Uniting the Movement strategy aims to help everyone play sport and get active - no matter who they are, where they live, or what their background. But we know that certain groups are more likely to be inactive and need targeted support and investment.

"We can only innovate and tackle these inequalities effectively with collective action, recognising that this is about long-term change. The RYA is one of a huge number of partners we are looking to work with on exactly this over the coming years. They play a foundational role within the sport and physical activity sector and are therefore well-placed to create the conditions for change."

Since 2005 almost 1 million young people have been introduced to sailing by RYA OnBoard and our Sailability groups run over 50,000 sessions a year for people with disabilities. Our friendly clubs have something for everyone - whatever your age, background or level of ability. Start your journey today at www.rya.org.uk/start-boating.

Love Boating? Then why not join the association that promotes and protects, safe, successful and rewarding British boating. Join today and support the RYA in protecting your boating rights and freedoms. Take advantage of free advice and support on all aspects of your boating, as well as enjoying a range of fantastic personal member offers. Find out more by calling 02380 604 159, email or visit www.rya.org.uk