Northern Ireland's County Antrim Yacht Club has been selected as a finalist for the second year running in the UK-wide RYA Club of the Year Awards.
The Club lies on the northern shore of Belfast Lough in the town of Whitehead and enjoys a very expansive sailing and racing area.
Peter Darragh, Commodore, says CAYC has been shortlisted with 11 other clubs from across the UK, selected from over 1500 RYA-affiliated clubs, and Darragh says he “is proud to be the only NI club in the running".
For this year’s awards, the four categories are:
- Community Club of the Year
- Green Club of the Year
- Active Club of the Year
- Young Person's Club of the Year
The overall 2024 Club of the Year will be selected from the winners of these categories and County Antrim YC is in the Active Club section up against Clyde Cruising Club, Colne Yacht Club and Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club.
The Commodore continued, “This is a great recognition of the phenomenal effort and dedication of our volunteers in promoting sailing, boating and safe use of the water. We work hard to introduce people to the sport and support them to achieve their goals, all the while engaging proactively with our local community and supporting the wider regional sailing fraternity. Keeping the Club active and having something to offer all members is a constant challenge, but one which we continue to do our best to rise to. We're proud to be selected as a finalist and grateful to have such a committed membership base."
Last year, among the many young club members’ successes, were Luke Simpson’s sixth in the Topper Worlds, 3rd overall in the Irish Topper Nationals, a win in the Topper 5.3 Irish Topper Series and 3rd at British Nationals.
Hon Sailing Secretary Sheela Lewis offered her congratulations to the CAYC competitors in the RYANI Youth Championships at Ballyholme YC. “ To the winners and all those competing representing their Clubs and Schools”. She reports also that having transitioned to the ILCA 4 class, Luke finished second in the RYouth Championships.
County Antrim Yacht Club's Luke Simpson racing in the Irish Topper Nationals Photo: Simon McIlwaine
Also notable was Calum Pollard’s shortlisting for the RYA NI in the 2022 Young Sailor of the Year category, having claimed Gold at the Topper 4.2 Worlds. He was also awarded Junior Sportsperson of the Year, celebrating his 2022 successes, at the Mid and East Antrim Council Sports Awards.
CAYC's Calum Pollard was a gold medal winner at the Topper Worlds Lake Garda in 2022
Jenna Reid who races a 49erFX and with clubmate Ellen Barbour (also East Antrim BC) are part of the Irish 49erFX team competing on the International circuit and campaigning for a place in the 2028 Olympics. Also in the two-handed dinghy RS400 class, Joycelyn Hill and Rowan Berry represented CAYC at the RS400 winter series and finished fifth overall.
The awards ceremony is at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show on 24 February.
