Looking to the horizon


We’re always thinking about what comes next. The RYA has a long history but there’s still so much more we can do to support our boating communities and inspire more people to have fun and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of being on the water.


Inspiring best practice


We want to set the best example we can and support others with best practice. As such, we have rethought our Affiliate Review process. The programme of support we can provide for Affiliates will ensure RYA clubs, classes and centres consistently deliver high standards of personal and professional safety to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.


Safeguarding is another area in which we’re striving to improve best practice. Last year we undertook an independent review, part of which examined our safeguarding function. The final review is now complete, and we are taking time to consider the report and determine our next steps to improve safeguarding. As this work evolves, we will be sure to share any learnings to further develop safeguarding best practice and knowledge.


Together on Water


To continue to succeed as an organisation we need to support and invest in making everyone feel welcome. It is why a connected, inspired and inclusive sailing and boating community remains the core vision of our ‘Together on Water’ strategy. We are focusing on giving people a reason to get involved and a commitment to some key activity in the year ahead.


With this in mind, we’re working on several programmes:


• Our Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan details our commitment to a connected, inspired and inclusive community and focuses on increasing our impact and being an inclusive place to work and thrive.


• The junior and youth racing pathway is evolving, with changes underway aimed at making our sport more affordable, accessible and engaging, as well


as improving the performances of aspiring young British talents.


• We’ve partnered with the Andrew Simpson Foundation to target young, disadvantaged people with talent potential through a pilot called Wavemakers. This scheme presents a unique opportunity for these young people, inspiring a passion for being on the water and accelerating their strength and skills to achieve high levels of performance.


• We’re working with leading academics and the Andrew Simpson Foundation to fund research into the value of sport on water, seeking to show the evidence of the boost to mental health, wellbeing and life skills that being on water provides.


• We’ve refreshed the OnBoard brand and programme to increase appeal and uptake by schools.


• Our new pilot Youth Ambassador Programme aims to give young people a voice in our sector and the agency to contribute to what the RYA could look and feel like in the future. The pilot will be managed by young people for young people, ensuring the RYA remains relevant to the generation who will be our future leaders. The aim is to build a reciprocal programme of support with reverse mentoring and sharing of value training, resources and knowledge.


A summer of sport


Aſter a shortened three-year cycle, the Olympic Games are upon us once again and at the time of writing our 14-strong cohort of Team GB sailors are in the final throes of their preparations for the Paris 2024 Games. This Olympic regatta will see a number of firsts: the introduction of kite foiling; the first foiling windsurf events; and the first time that gender parity will be achieved across the athlete body.


Our selected Team GB sailors are an exciting blend of youth and experience – all of whom have demonstrated their medal-winning potential - and are aiming to inspire both on and off the water. They are driven to not only be the best athletes they can be, but also use their voice and platform to drive positive societal change, whether that be around sharing their love of sailing and watersports to inspire active lives, in fighting for clean water, or in broadening access to the sport and recreation we love.


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RYA Annual Strategic Report 2024


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