Volunteers vital for the future of sailing
As Yachting Monthly continues to examine how sailing will change in the future, we asked the chair of the RYA, Chris Preston, to share his thoughts on how the sport might develop
Having been privileged to be appointed as RYA Chair a few months ago, I have regularly been asked what is the purpose of the RYA, and what is the future of boating and sailing? Many clubs are having problems attracting new younger members as well as volunteers to help run their activities and racing.
These issues are made even more pressing by the range of alternative sports and experiences open to young people, and also by the ageing of the baby-boomer generation who have been participants behind the growth up to around 10 years ago. As shown by the recent British Marine ‘Futures’ study, the future is challenging both for clubs and industry participants.
It is instructive to look at what makes the sport work, although I recognise that ‘sport’ is too narrow a definition for an activity which provides a lifestyle, friendships, personal development, and a life-long passion for many people.
The most recent study shows that around 4 million people participate in boating in the UK, doing so largely through around 1,500 clubs and associations, manned largely by volunteers. A best guess from the RYA’S Director of Sport Development is that around 80,000 unpaid volunteers are active in making these clubs and associations function.
Why do they do it? Some certainly because it is usually enjoyable in itself, but most through a belief that they should be giving back to the sport, which they themselves enjoy or perhaps used to enjoy when younger and fitter. And in some cases, such as my own, they remember older sailors who gave them encouragement when younger. There are many unsung heroes who have sponsored younger sailors or invested in boats for youth programmes who did not do so for recognition, but to help the sport.
And this is vital for the future. Without volunteers, and those who are prepared to give up their time or invest funds for younger sailors to have opportunities, the sport will not attract new generations of young sailors. Recognising that this is necessary, I believe it is a responsibility for all participants to accept that our sport is one in which we may need to offer support in order to attract younger participants. The RYA strongly supports this – even in the World Class and Performance programmes, the young athletes who receive funding are obligated to provide support to their home clubs to encourage the next generation.
Our AGM at the RYA is also the occasion at which exceptional volunteers are recognised – their contributions are reported on the previous page. I would like to take this chance to thank and congratulate them and all the other volunteers who do so much for our sport.