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A few notes from the Chief Operating Officer

As part of the RYA Scotland Operational Plans for 2010 and now 2011 I have been charged with establishing Sailing Development Groups (SDG) throughout Scotland by the end of 2011. Their development is considered to be a priority activity for RYA Scotland throughout 2011. Five are fully established and a further four start up workshops have been run with the remaining two being planned in the near future.

Background and challenge to be addressed

Currently 90% of investment in sport from exchequer funding is directed through the local authorities (LA). To have the greatest chance of leveraging support, of whatever form, from the local authorities requires the ability to develop a good and active relationship. With limited central staff, over 150 clubs, 120 training centres and 32 local authorities not to mention numerous active school coordinators and other useful contacts it is impossible for RYA Scotland to do this centrally.

sportscotland has recognised this challenge too and has embarked on a process of regionalising, creating six Regional Sporting Partnerships. Furthermore, ‘community’ is being driven as a central theme of the 2014 legacy plans and continues to be a topic that generates traction with Government at all levels. By building a community that is able to speak with a coordinated and empowered voice this resonance with Government can be exploited. This gives further incentive for a sports governing body to consider how best to deliver and function at a regional/local authority level.

Driving rationale for their development

When considering the points above it becomes apparent that a local forum, with a well informed and supported voice is essential to leverage the potential resources, financial or otherwise, from local government or arms-length agencies. Creating this forum can also bring with it other advantages of collaborative working and division of labour.

Take two examples; child protection and instructor training. Child Protection could be advised centrally and so vastly reduce the requirement for individuals in each club to watch the ever-changing policies. Instructor training could be coordinated centrally to allow courses to be run more often as finding the minimum number across clubs is easier than waiting to get six in one club. In both instances a larger group or body can help smaller ones to deliver activity.

We believe that the formation of Sailing Development Groups will allow us to be able to leverage these benefits for our, or more accurately your, community.

It is also worth considering who makes up the sailing community. By drawing all interested parties from across the areas of RYA interest and responsibility it is likely that a stronger voice can be generated. It is also likely that a more useful networking group can be established. With this point in mind we are seeking to ensure that the community serviced by an SDG goes well beyond sailing clubs and should activity seek to include training centres, powerboat clubs, windsurfing clubs, uniformed services, schools and other relevant organisations.