RYA Northern Ireland has launched the Individual Grant Scheme to 'support sailors from lower socio-economic and underrepresented groups'. It is a bursary designed to improve access to sailing for sailors, coaches, or officials struggling to start or continue their journey in the sport due to financial barriers.

This scheme is likely to have a significant impact on the diversity of the sailing community in Northern Ireland as the large amount of money available to applicants means that individuals from across the country are likely to benefit from funding.

Over £1800 was raised towards the fund at the RYA Northern Ireland 50th Anniversary Dinner and further funds were set aside by the RYA Northern Ireland board.

All Northern Ireland residents can apply for the funding, and it will allow coaches, officials and sailors to pay for qualifications or buy equipment which are vital to their progression in the sport.

RYA Northern Ireland CEO Greg Yarnall commented: "Sailing, unfairly, can be seen as a sport for a certain demographic. When we set out our Navigating the Future strategy in 2023, we made a commitment to debunk this. We aimed to achieve this by having a strategic focus in ensuring the sport became increasingly diverse and by celebrating raising awareness of the people, from all backgrounds, that have found a passion in sailing as a participant themselves or in a role that helps to make the sport happen.

The grant scheme is ultimately about improving access to the sport and helping to remove some of the financial barriers for people and we hope the scheme will lead to more people staying engaged in the sport. As an organisation, we remain heavily reliant on funding support from a small number of organisations. We recognise the inherent risk that comes with that, and we are exploring ways in which we can diversify the funding coming into the sport. We will be actively working across the sailing community and beyond to continue to add to this fund, so it remains a valuable resource for years to come."

Full details about the scheme, including how to apply for the funding, can be found on the RYA Northern Ireland website here