Chair’s Statement
As Chair of your Association, I can report on a hugely challenging but ultimately rewarding year for the RYA. Every year typically has its defi ning moments, and 2020 will, of course, be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic and its profound impact on our social and sporting activities. It was necessary for the organisation to respond quickly and adapt to support its members and wider RYA family.
This year’s Annual Report is an opportunity to refl ect on how our sport and boating communities have fared in 2020-21. I have been truly impressed by the resilience and adaptability of our clubs and centres over the past year as they faced constantly changing restrictions. It has also been inspiring to hear the many stories of how our members rallied to support vital causes in their communities.
At the start of the pandemic the RYA took steps, in line with Government advice, to safeguard the well-being of its staff and volunteers. While restrictions meant the majority of staff worked from home, our disaster recovery plan was immediately implemented, and the organisation continued to be fully functioning. We worked tirelessly to offer guidance to recreational boaters, clubs, centres and organisations, despite the increased demands of the crisis and the implications of Brexit.
I have been truly impressed by the resilience and adaptability of our clubs and centres over the past year
Our determined work with Government meant that in May recreational boating was one of the fi rst sports to commence again after the fi rst lockdown. We worked with other watersports organisations to ensure safe access to boating throughout the year. This was possible due to the unstinting efforts of our staff and the strength of our organisation. Thank you to everyone involved. We hope these efforts will result in growth in our membership as recreational boaters recognise the RYA’s role in protecting and promoting their interests.
I would like to recognise and thank the many people who have contributed to our achievements over the past 12 months. In particular, our staff and volunteers, whether in Hamble, the regions, or the Home Countries, have made great efforts to support our members and athletes and reinforce our objective to ensure safe boating.
I must also convey our thanks and appreciation to both UK Sport and Sport England. Their fl exibility over the last 12 months was especially important as we navigated the restrictions on boating
and the postponement of Tokyo 2020. Their continued backing and funding remain critically important to supporting a range of RYA initiatives, including Sailability and other grassroots programmes, our youth and junior talent pathway, and the British Sailing Team.
The many cancelled events and limitations on training, combined with the stress of the postponement of the Olympic Games, presented major challenges for the British Sailing Team. The team nevertheless won medals at the vast majority of international regattas that were able to take place and we can be proud that they are well-prepared for the Tokyo Games in July.
In the summer of 2020, we joined other voices from the world of sport to speak out against racism, and in doing so we recognised that more work needed to be done to ensure that boating is as inclusive and diverse as we would like it to be. We reaffi rmed our commitment to equality of opportunity, and we have since gone on to develop the RYA Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2030, cementing this commitment.
Inevitably our fi nancial results have suffered due to the effects of the pandemic. This has been largely the result of a reduction in training activity, sadly occurring in the same year that RYA Training was celebrating its 50th anniversary. We are fortunate, however, that our prudent fi nancial policies had allowed us to build suffi cient reserves over recent years. This, together with various Government COVID-19 support schemes, offered us fi nancial strength to withstand the crisis while maintaining all operations.
I am optimistic looking ahead. Your support, as part of our 103,868 individual members and 1,470 affi liated organisations, gives us the strength of voice to be able to lobby Government and regulatory bodies to protect the opportunities and freedoms of recreational boaters. Participation numbers have risen as new boaters have tried boating and realised the attractions of the British coasts and waterways. Now, as we hopefully emerge successfully from the pandemic, we must focus on ensuring that we do all we can to create the opportunities for members of all communities to enjoy the mental and physical health benefi ts of getting afl oat.
Thank you, once again, for your continued and loyal support.
Christopher Preston RYA Chair
RYA ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2021 3
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
