Sunsail's Funding the Future initiative returns for 2025
by Sunsail 14 Feb 08:27 PST
23 February 2025
Funding the Future initiative winners - West Lancashire Yacht Club © Sunsail
Sunsail to mark the opening of its grassroots funding initiative with a live announcement at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 23 February 2025, at 13:00, on the Sunsail Main Stage.
Yacht charter company, Sunsail has announced the return of its Funding the Future initiative for 2025, which will once again offer sailing charities, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sailing and yacht clubs, and British Universities Sailing Association (BUSA) members across the UK a chance to win up to £6,000.
Funding the Future 2025 will be officially launched at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show on 23 February, where visitors can join Sunsail and the judging panel for a short presentation and question and answer session.
The acclaimed grassroot initiative offers a grand prize of £6,000, while two runners-up will be awarded £2,000 each.
To participate, qualifying clubs and sailing charities can submit an entry by Friday, 23 May outlining their vision for the funding and explaining how it will impact their sailing club. Whether the goal is to improve facilities, purchase new equipment, develop innovative programs to boost membership or establish youth academies to cultivate future champions, Sunsail is looking for the most compelling and visionary proposals from clubs across the UK. The judges are also keen to see entries that detail projects aimed at enhancing sustainability in sailing clubs, ensuring lasting benefits for both the environment and their members.
The returning judges include Sunsail ambassador Dee Caffari MBE, skilled mariner and editor of Yachts & Yachting Online Mark Jardine, the RYA's Director of Sport Development Rob Clark and Sunsail's Head of Brand and Acquisitions Katrina Lawson. 2025 also sees the introduction of new judge, well-practiced sailor and editor at Practical Boat Owner and Yachting Monthly Katy Stickland.
The panel will collectively review each entry with great compassion and enthusiasm for the impact it will have with in the sport.
Dee Caffari MBE expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "The future of our sport relies on the next generation of sailors, they are often nurtured by dedicated volunteers who make the magic happen. To fall in love with sailing, you need to be inspired and encouraged by someone who shares that passion. Being part of Funding the Future last year, I was overwhelmed by the power and desire of the clubs applying—each playing a vital role in driving our sport forward, making it more inclusive and accessible than ever.
"I do not take my responsibility lightly as part of the judging panel, and I love that the passion and dedication of the clubs entering make it so difficult to choose the winners. It gives me hope for the sport I love, knowing that together, we can inspire many more people to give sailing a try and fall in love with it just as I did."
Katrina Lawson, Sunsail's Head of Brand and Acquisitions, adds, "It's fantastic to see Funding the Future return for a second year. I greatly enjoyed learning about the innovative and sustainable ideas that last year's applicants submitted. We know sailing clubs are the backbone of the sport, often driven by dedicated volunteers who create opportunities for young sailors to get out on the water and develop their passion. At Sunsail, we're proud to play a role in shaping the future of sailing, and we look forward to seeing the inspiring projects this year's funding will support."
Mark Jardine, Managing Director of YachtsandYachting.com, commented, "Funding the Future is an initiative which makes a direct difference to clubs, which are the bedrock for our sport up and down the country. Seeing the initiatives that clubs are putting in place to increase participation is inspiring, and I'm sure the submissions will make our role as judges harder than ever!"
Katy Stickland, Editor of Practical Boat Owner, expressed, "Clubs across the UK play such a valuable role in nurturing the grassroots of our sport which is essential to find the sailors of the future, and initiatives like Sunsail's Funding the Future are vital to help ensure club members and volunteers can continue to run programmes and events and buy equipment to boost membership and make sailing accessible to everyone. I am really looking forward to reading about how clubs plan to innovate to achieve that."
And Rob Clark, RYA Director of Sport Development summarised, "I am very much looking forward to being involved in the Funding the Future judging panel for a second year. The 2024 programme highlighted some amazing examples of how our sailing clubs are thinking creatively and adapting their offering to meet the needs of their local communities, as well as an evolving sport and recreation environment. I am hugely grateful to Sunsail for continuing to fund this initiative and to our clubs for taking the time and effort to share their ideas."
RYA registered clubs and charities can submit their entries from Sunday, 23 Feb until Friday, 23 May at 11.59 pm. All entries to be submitted online and the winner will be announced on the Sunsail stand at Southampton International Boat Show on Friday, 19 September.
For more details on entering the competition or for the terms and conditions, please visit www.sunsail.com/uk/funding-the-future or email sunsail@adpr.co.uk.