RYA SPRING 2021


8


THE big Issue: Boating for all T


The RYA’s new Diversity Strategy will make sailing accessible for everyone


he RYA has reaffirmed its commitment to equality with the launch of its new Diversity Strategy. Aimed at ensuring all boating activities are as accessible, diverse and welcoming to as many participants as possible, the strategy will affect the sport at all levels, from how we recruit staff at head office, and the management of RYA communities, to how boating develops and is perceived on a national level. In 2016 the RYA became the first UK


governing body to achieve the advanced level of UK Sport’s Equality Standard for Sport, and the new strategy builds on this drive for inclusivity. To help achieve our aims, we have established an internal steering group that includes RYA board members and colleagues from across the organisation. Our immediate focus will be on listening to the experiences of RYA members and the wider boating community. Working with Professor Kevin Hylton, a renowned voice in diversity in sport, we took part in the Ethnicity in Boating focus group last October. Alexandra


Rickham, British double Paralympic sailing bronze medallist and five-time World Champion, took part in the group and here tells us about her hopes for a more diverse future in boating.


When did you first try sailing? I was initially introduced to sailing during my rehabilitation following my diving accident in 1995 when I was 13. I spent some time on the water with the Shake-A-Leg charity in Miami but it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I began to take it seriously.


As someone from an ethnic minority background, what challenges do you feel you’ve faced within boating? I feel that I’m in a pretty unique situation. As a black, disabled woman I’m representing a lot of under- represented groups. I don’t feel I’ve faced extra challenges particularly. But it has always been noticeable at events and when I’m racing that there aren’t a lot of people who look like me. Diversity is currently limited within the sailing community but it would be nice to have more participants who share similar experiences. I’m so pleased the RYA has introduced its Diversity Strategy to tackle this, and aims to have open and honest conversations with people within the boating community.


What encouragement would you offer people from diverse backgrounds who are considering trying boating? We’re lucky that we have so much access to water here in the UK, with sailing


diversity in numbers


According to data, including surveys carried out by the


RYA in 2019, there are under-represented groups within sailing


9% of boating participants (sailors,


volunteers, instructors, RYA members and


others) were from a non- white ethnic group.


Our surveys show women are a minority in boating.


clubs even in built-up cities. So join a club – they’re welcoming and friendly. I joined Queen Mary Sailing Club in London when I was in my twenties and some of my best days have been spent on the water there. The Sailability Group there, in particular, has been incredibly supportive, especially when I started learning and training. Whether it was offering advice and help with boats or general training, they have helped me a lot. You don’t always have to have a lot of money to start sailing – the RYA has a range of initiatives aimed at helping everyone get access to all kinds of boating.


37% 1.4 of club


members identified as female.


Looking forward, what changes would you like to see within boating? The development pathways are currently quite limited, but it’s the responsibility of national governing bodies, such as the RYA, to work collaboratively to offer those networks of development and funding opportunities at a grassroots level. We really need to look at the structure within sailing to facilitate more


million People with a disability in the UK.


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