NI Sailing and boating clubs to benefit from Focus Clubs Programme

Fourteen sailing clubs across Northern Ireland have been given a unique opportunity by RYANI to grow and develop their clubs. Through the Focus Clubs programme, each of the selected clubs will receive support from RYANI so that they can focus on development, explore funding support for participation programmes and promote activities that they will be running. In 2019, the following clubs will benefit from the programme: Ballyholme Yacht Club Ballyronan Boat Club Carrickfergus Sailing Club Coleraine Yacht Club County Antrim Yacht Club Donaghadee Sailing Club Craigavon Lakes Sailing Club East Antrim Boat Club East Down Yacht Club Holywood Yacht Club Lough Neagh Sailing Club Newcastle Yacht Club Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Strangford Lough Yacht Club The initiative was established to help clubs to develop into world class clubs. RYANI Active Clubs Co-Ordinator, Lisa McCaffrey, commented: “The Focus Clubs programme is a fantastic initiative where we help clubs to sustainably grow and support their active membership. At RYANI we work with the club and provide support so that they can maximize the good work they are already doing and identify opportunities to grow membership further. “We are delighted to be able to run this initiative for the third year, with support from Sport Northern Ireland and the National Lottery. It is programmes like this that really add value and help to increase opportunities and the number of people taking part in sailing and boating in Northern Ireland.” In 2018, Focus Club membership grew by an average of 8.1% on the previous year. Not only are the programmes and support about helping bring new members in, it is about allowing clubs to deliver activity for all its members to benefit from.