A working group for young members
RYA Scotland established Youth Voices in 2025 to bring people aged fourteen to twenty-five into its discussions. An August 2026 profile introduces the group and its different backgrounds.
Members represent grassroots clubs, competitive sailing, powerboating and coastal communities. It is intended as a channel for experience and ideas, rather than a replacement for the organisation’s governing board.
Not every sailor follows one pathway
The members include people involved in racing and others whose principal connection is club activity. Rural and coastal experiences are also represented in the group.
Such differences can help an association understand where participation becomes difficult. A single young member cannot speak for everyone in the sport.
Influencing programmes and access
The working group provides opportunities to share ideas about RYA Scotland’s work and future direction. Its purpose is to include young people when decisions affect their own participation.
Contributions still need consideration by the relevant decision-makers and partners. The profile describes a consultative structure, not a claim that every idea has already been implemented.
A model for listening
Club committees and training centres can also ask younger members what would help them stay involved. Changes should reflect the capacity and purpose of the individual organisation.
The official RYA feature and group photograph support the story. Members seeking involvement should consult RYA Scotland about its current arrangements.