Brightlingsea Sailing Club crowned RYA Club of the Year 2015
by Emma Slater, RYA 28 Feb 2015 20:52 GMT
28 February 2015
Brightlingsea Sailing Club crowned RYA Club of the Year 2015 © Paul Wyeth
Situated on the Colne estuary in Essex, the club which was also a finalist in 2014, received their award from British Sailing Team's Nick Thompson and RYA CEO, Sarah Treseder at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show today.
At the eagerly awaited awards ceremony, Brightlingsea were selected as the overall winner from five strong finalists including Bury Lake Young Mariners, Himley Hall Sailing Club, Horning Sailing Club and Llangorse Sailing Club.
These clubs were selected by the RYA Honours and Awards Panel who judged them on the range of quality and safe activities they provide, how they encourage people to get out on the water and good governance and club management.
In 2011, Brightlingsea began their transformation from a 'racing only' club to an organisation that offers a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities with introductory courses, racing, cruising and family sailing. Last season their participation rose by 20% reaching an all-time high.
The club has also worked hard to welcome new members by creating new branding and refreshing their website whilst maintaining a strong online presence through Facebook and Twitter.
Alice Davies, Brightlingsea Sailing Club said: "To be named RYA Club of the Year 2015 means so much to us and all our members. Everybody has helped so much to increase our activities behind the scenes and this is a fantastic recognition of everyone's hard work."
Nick Thompson said: "Really for me the biggest thing was hearing the achievements and hard work the finalists are doing to get new people into the sport and keep people who are already in the sport interested. I certainly felt pretty inspired!"
Special thanks go to Arthur J. Gallagher who support the RYA Club of the Year Award and to Sailing Awards who donated the perpetual RYA Club of the Year trophy when the award was first introduced in 2008.
For more information on the awards visit www.rya.org.uk/go/cluboftheyear