Sunsail relaunches Funding the Future for 2026 with a focus on increasing female participation
by Sunsail 21 Feb 03:30 PST
Otley Sailing Club won the Sunsail Funding the Future initiative in 2025 © Sunsail
Sunsail, a leader in yacht charter holidays, has announced the return of its renowned Funding the Future initiative for 2026.
Aimed at RYA-affiliated sailing, yacht clubs, charities and university teams across the UK, the initiative offers the opportunity to secure up to £6,000 in funding to invest in facilities, equipment, and innovative programmes designed to grow participation in sailing at the grassroots level. In addition to the top prize, Sunsail will also award £2,000 to two runners-up.
New for 2026: Supporting women and girls in sailing
For the first time, the Funding the Future initiative will introduce a focus on women and girls in the judging criteria, where clubs, charities and university teams will be scored on how they are supporting female participation - whether through new initiatives or the expansion of existing programmes. This is part of Sunsail's long-term efforts to ensure clubs are actively working to improve gender representation within the sport.
The initiative officially launched on Saturday, 21st February 2026 at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show. Sunsail hosted a 30-minute Q&A from Gareth Brookes, Head of Regions at the RYA and Ian Hughes, West Lancashire Yacht Club Funding the Future winner 2024 on the Main Stage at 11am, to discuss the transformative impact of the funding.
As part of the application process, clubs will be asked to demonstrate how they are:
- Encouraging more women and girls to participate in sailing
- Creating inclusive environments for all
- Supporting long-term participation and progression
Dee Caffari MBE, Funding the Future judge, Sunsail Ambassador and record-breaking sailor, remains a core part of the initiative. Having recently participated in the Jules Verne record attempt as the first all-female crew, Dee continues to advocate for club accessibility. She says, "I am thrilled to see Sunsail encouraging clubs to showcase their support for female participation. Grassroots sailing clubs play a vital role in encouraging inclusivity and accessibility in a sport that can and should be enjoyed by all. They are the place where confidence is built, skills are learned, and passion begins. Ensuring these clubs are recognised for their inclusive programmes and environments is paramount to inspiring the next generation of sailors."
How to apply
To apply, clubs must complete an online application by Friday, 22nd May 2026, outlining a clear vision on how the funding would be used and how it would benefit members and the wider sailing community - including attracting new participants. Sunsail is looking for the most compelling proposals, which can include improvements to facilities, enhancing sustainability, investing in new equipment and developing youth or female-focused programmes or initiatives that can encourage more people into sailing.
Previous winners will not be eligible to apply again in 2026, ensuring new clubs have the opportunity to benefit from the funding.
Judging panel and criteria
Entries will be assessed by an experienced and distinguished panel of judges drawn from across the sailing industry. Looking at the initiatives impact, sustainability, long-term vision, innovation & creativity and financial planning. Judges will be looking specifically for uniqueness, practicality and relevance - specifically how the proposal aligns with Funding the Future's objectives. This year's judges include:
- Katy Stickland, Editor, Practical Boat Owner
- Mark Jardine, Editor, Yachts & Yachting Online
- Gareth Brookes, Head of Regions, RYA
- Katrina Lawson, Head of Brand from Sunsail
- Dee Caffari MBE, Sunsail Ambassador and offshore sailor
Winners will be announced at the Southampton International Boat Show (SIBS) on Friday, 18th September 2026.
Gareth Brookes, Head of Regions at the RYA says, "Through Sunsail's Funding the Future initiative, I'm continually inspired by the creativity and commitment shown by sailing clubs across the UK. Incorporating women and girls into the judging criteria this year is an exciting and important step in supporting broader participation and ensuring our sport is accessible and welcoming to all. I'm looking forward to seeing the innovative projects that emerge and to celebrating the positive impact they will have within their communities."
Katy Stickland, judge and Editor of Practical Boat Owner, says, "Diversity in sailing is key to driving participation, and clubs are in a great position at a grassroots level to help unlock and develop talent amongst women and girls. I really look forward to seeing the work that is already being done by clubs across the UK, which builds on the impact of the Funding the Future campaign in nurturing the next generation of sailors."
Mark Jardine, Editor, Yachts & Yachting Online, says, "I'm passionate about the health of sailing clubs. How they operate, and the initiatives they implement, can literally make or break their fortunes. Sunsail's Funding the Future doesn't just help the successful clubs with vital cash for what they want to do, it focuses the committees to think about what will grow membership and participation. I'm delighted to be a judge once again, as I have been from the outset, and wholeheartedly thank Sunsail for recognising that it is clubs that are the future of sailing."
Katrina Lawson, Head of Brand from Sunsail says, "We are proud to be relaunching the Funding the Future initiative for another year. Over the past few years, we've seen firsthand how the funding has enhanced opportunities for clubs and sailors. After hosting Women's Day in Cowes last year with a club winner from 2024, introducing women and girls into the judging criteria is a natural evolution of the initiative and one we are excited to see come to life through clubs' current programmes and future ideas.
"The work Sunsail is doing is crucial to the future of these clubs, which are the heartbeat of the sport, driven by passionate volunteers and experts who not only offer life-changing experiences on the water, but also build communities."
"Looking ahead, we will be driving more opportunities for grassroots sailing, as well as supporting career development across the marine industry, including Skipper training, tech and digital skills and content creation."
Current impact at grassroots level
Funding the Future has already delivered a significant impact across UK sailing clubs. Otley Sailing Club from West Yorkshire was awarded the top honour last year, with Wilsonian Sailing Club and Henley Sailing Club, where last year's application was written by a nine-year-old sailor, celebrated as runners up.
A spokesperson from Henley Sailing Club says. "Winning the Funding the Future runners-up prize was a huge moment for us at Henley Sailing Club and has provided a real boost to our community. Our original application was written by Charlotte, one of our nine-year-old sailors, so it felt only right that the junior members decided how the £2,000 funding should be spent. They voted for a Pico dinghy to help them progress from optimists into the next stage of sailing. Even before it's hit the water, the funding has created huge excitement and a real sense of ownership among the children. We're incredibly grateful to Sunsail and the RYA for investing in our club."
First-year winners, West Lancashire Yacht Club, used funding to support increased youth and schools participation, including opportunities for young female sailors such as Kitty, who joined Sunsail at Cowes Week after discovering sailing only a few years earlier.
For more details on entering the competition and terms and conditions, please visit: www.sunsail.com/uk/funding-the-future. The deadline to complete the application is Friday, 22nd May 2026.