The Cara National Inclusion Awards 2018 took place in Castleknock last week and Bray Sailing Club were delighted to be one of three shortlisted finalists in the Sports Club category, along with Clontarf Rugby Club and Raheny GAA Club. The awards were presented by RTE Sports Presenter, Joanne Cantwell.
While Clontarf Rugby Club was adjudged the winners on the evening, the team from Bray SC were honoured to have been nominated as a finalist. Declan Lavelle, Commodore, commented: “It’s a great honour for Bray SC to have received a nomination for the National Inclusion Awards and it further strengthens our resolve to continue with our inclusion programme in the future. I would like to thank all of the instructors and other volunteers in the club who have put so much work into making sailing a sport for all. Our efforts in this area were greatly assisted this year by the installation of the new pontoon in Bray Harbour, which makes access to the water much easier for people with disabilities. We commend the councillors of Bray Municipal District for their foresight in supporting this investment.”
Bray Sailing Club’s inclusion programme started in 2017 when a small group of Lakers members took part in a “Try Sailing” course and has grown to such an extent that 28 Lakers members took part in sailing courses in 2018, culminating in a “Parents on the Water” evening at the end of the season. The club also caters for sailors with physical disabilities and regularly provides training for juniors with learning difficulties.
A team of sailing instructors from Bray also volunteered their services at the Irish Sailing Watersport Inclusion Games which took place in Galway at the end of August. The games were a great success, with over 200 participants taking to the water over the weekend. The Watersport Inclusion Games were awarded the winner of the “Project of the Year” award at the Cara National Inclusion Awards on Wednesday evening.
Bray Sailing Club’s Senior Instructor, Jack Hannon said after the awards ceremony “All of us at Bray SC were delighted to even be in the running for this award. We believe strongly that sailing is a sport for all and we work hard to provide equal opportunities to all in our community to enjoy the thrill of sailing. We congratulate Clontarf Rugby Club on their well-deserved award and also all the other winners and finalists on the work they are doing to promote inclusion in sport across the country.”
Bray Sailing Club are now developing their courses for next season where they plan to continue to promote and develop their “Inclusion in Sport” programme.
