RYA Northern Ireland held its first-ever virtual AGM earlier this month, reflecting on a different but successful year for the sport leading up to April 2020.
Guests at the meeting included RYA chief executive RYA Sarah Treseder OBE, chair Chris Preston and Clodagh Cooke from the Northern Ireland Youth Forum.
During the meeting, both Sarah and Chris spoke to members, with Sarah also discussing the importance of clubs as a community. She talked about the positivity of clubs across Northern Ireland and how they have been helping their members and wider communities throughout Covid-19.
RYANI chief operating officer Richard Honeyford led the general business of the meeting, firstly addressing the key challenges clubs are facing due to Covid-19 and then reviewing the work that has taken place throughout the year until April 2020.
Club representatives and guests were then taken through proposed updates to RYANI Articles to allow questions to be raised. The Articles are now being sent to affiliated organisations for approval.
This was Jackie Patton’s final meeting as chair of RYANI. During her closing comments, she thanked everyone who had supported her during her three-year tenure. Susan McKnight from Strangford Lough Yacht Club was elected as chair and has now taken up her post.
Commenting after her election as chair, Susan said: “I am honoured to be taking on the position as chair and I am looking forward to working with the board, Richard and the whole RYA Northern Ireland team.”
James Ogg, Peter Kennedy, David Williams, Andrew Corkill, Roy Totten and Jill Heron were elected as directors.
Richard Honeyford commented: “While it has been a challenging year for us all, the RYA Northern Ireland AGM gave us a chance to reflect on the key challenges for our clubs and wider boating community. It also highlighted the excellent work that volunteers have undertaken and the success many of our sailors have had throughout the year.
“I would like to thank Jackie Patton for all her work as chair of RYA Northern Ireland and I welcome Susan McKnight as our new chair. I am looking forward to working with Susan and all of our directors and board members in the year ahead.”
Following the meeting, Clodagh Cooke from the Northern Ireland Youth Forum Belfast praised the establishment of the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Forum initiative and the work that had been achieved throughout the year.
She explained the importance of the relationship between NIYF and RYANI and introduced the RYA Northern Ireland young sailors who delivered a presentation during the meeting.
Jackie Patton, who leads on the RYANI Youth Forum, said: “RYA Northern Ireland has been working in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Youth Forum to set up our RYA Northern Ireland Youth Forum. This youth leadership and development programme is the first of its kind within the sport and the RYA.
“The NIYF has provided valuable support, leadership and funding to make this happen. Our own RYA Northern Ireland Youth Forum has already achieved so much and I would like to particularly acknowledge Kaitlyn, Abbie, Autumn, Cody and Charlie for their hard work and dedication. I look forward to seeing what the next year brings.”