Brading Haven Yacht Club has officially been recognised as amongst Britain’s best after being shortlisted for the prestigious Royal Yachting Association Club of the Year Award 2016.
The RYA, sailing’s national governing body, presents the annual award in recognition of how well clubs promote the sport of sailing, encourage people onto the water and make their activities varied and available to their community.
Five clubs in the UK have been shortlisted for the prize. As well as Brading Haven YC, they include Llyn Brenig Sailing Club in Wales, Cheshire-based Redesmere Sailing Club, Royal Harwich YC in Suffolk, and Staffordshire’s Rudyard Lake SC.
“We are delighted that we have been shortlisted as the top club in the south,” comments Brading Haven’s Commodore, Robin Lobb. “It is a great boost to all the people who have helped in making the club what it is over the past few years.”
Nominated clubs will collect their finalist awards at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show on 5th March before the overall winner is revealed by RYA CEO Sarah Treseder.
RYA Club Support Advisor Jackie Bennetts said: “We are delighted to announce the five finalists for the 2016 RYA Club of the Year Award. This Award offers us the chance to recognise and acknowledge the outstanding achievements of the people who are responsible for creating successful, vibrant sailing clubs in the UK.”
She adds “Without the on-going support and commitment from individual members, clubs would not be able to offer the range or quality of activities which are crucial to the continued success of both clubs and our sport”.
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.