Manager of The Green Blue recognised for excellence at Sustainable Sport Awards

Kate Fortnam, Campaign Manager at The Green Blue, has been celebrated at The British Association for Sustainable Sport's (BASIS) annual Sustainable Sport Awards © Christopher Lee

The work of Kate Fortnam, Campaign Manager at The Green Blue, has been celebrated at The British Association for Sustainable Sport's (BASIS) annual Sustainable Sport Awards.

Kate was awarded the Special Recognition Award, which seeks to highlight the outstanding efforts of those that go above and beyond to drive the sustainability agenda in their sport.

Kate has worked for The Green Blue, the joint environmental programme for the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and British Marine, for eight years and has managed the programme for five of those years. In that time The Green Blue has become recognised as a major player in sustainability for the recreational boating sector.

Phil Horton, RYA Environmental & Sustainability Manager, said: "Kate is a deserving recipient of this award. She demonstrates unfailing enthusiasm and skill for communicating the importance of environmental issues to a wide range of audiences, from school groups to sailing clubs, professional sailors to marine businesses. Her drive has developed The Green Blue into the foremost source of environmental information for the marine sector in the UK."

Kate received the award during a special presentation at the BASIS Sustainable Sport Awards at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday (01 November). The Awards celebrate sporting organisations, people, and events that have put sustainability at the heart of their activities.

Kate commented: "I was very pleased to receive the award, it means so much, especially from an organisation such as BASIS, who are the leaders in encouraging a sustainable future for all sports.

"I have witnessed a real positive change in attitudes towards sustainability since I joined The Green Blue in 2014, it has been fantastic to be a part of the growing conversation about how sport and sustainability can work together. I am passionate about continuing those conversations and am constantly inspired by the innovations and enthusiasm that I see developing across the sector."

Dr Russell Seymour, BASIS Executive Chair, said: "BASIS was very pleased to celebrate the contribution that Kate Fortnam has made to encouraging sustainability into sailing and boating by presenting her with a Special Recognition Award at the BASIS Sustainable Sport Awards 2022.

"Kate's contribution to The Green Blue over the last eight years is well known, and she is respected by others working in sport and sustainability. Her commitment and enthusiasm have helped to make The Green Blue one of the most recognised and respected sustainability programmes in the UK sport sector."

A full list of the winners from the Sustainable Sports Awards can be found on the BASIS website.

The Green Blue is a joint environment programme between the RYA and British Marine to encourage a more sustainable recreational boating sector.

To find out more about The Green Blue visit thegreenblue.org.uk