Sunsail has announced the winners of its renowned Funding the Future initiative, which champions sailing across the UK by providing vital financial support to clubs.
Funding the Future 2025 received a record number of entries from RYA-affiliated sailing and yacht clubs and charities across the UK. Each entry highlighted the dedication and innovation within the sailing community.
This year saw Otley Sailing Club from West Yorkshire take the top honour, securing the grand prize of £6,000. Wilsonian Sailing Club and Henley Sailing Club were celebrated as runners-up, each being awarded £2,000. The funding will help the clubs bring their ambitions to life, from improving facilities and launching new initiatives to open up sailing to wider communities.
The winners were announced at a ceremony presented by Dee Caffari MBE on the opening day of the Southampton International Boat Show, held on the Sunsail stand.
Otley Sailing Club received unanimous praise from the judges for its highly scalable proposal to use the funding to purchase and refurbish five second-hand Laser dinghies, creating a new “Club Laser” membership scheme that allows members to sail without owning a boat. The scheme aims to make sailing more accessible and affordable for young adults, students, families and casual sailors. The judges appreciated the application for its sustainability credentials while also supporting innovation in membership models.
Dee Caffari, Sunsail ambassador and one of the returning judges for the initiative, says, “I was blown away by the number of applicants this year, it was good to see familiar locations and many new ones. The entries showed there is a real clarity in how diverse our sport is, and how so many clubs and associations have a different perspective on how they are making a difference. It gives me great hope for the future of our sport and I am proud of this collaboration that is helping fund the future.”
Wilsonian Sailing Club from Kent was awarded one of the runner up prizes for its proposal to invest in the future of junior sailing, with the funding set to create a dedicated junior clubhouse, new training tools and better coaching facilities, benefiting young sailors, their families, and the wider community.
Henley Sailing Club was also awarded a runner up prize for its unique application written by a 10-year-old club member Charlotte. In the application the ambitious youth member wrote a compelling case to use the funds to buy an extra Laser dinghy and children’s lifejackets, so more juniors and adults can take part in racing, training, and fun sailing for the small, family-friendly sailing club based on the River Thames.
Katrina Lawson, Sunsail’s Head of Brand and Acquisitions, says, “We were delighted to see a rise in applications for Funding the Future this year. The standard of entries has noticeably advanced, and we were truly impressed by the thought, effort and vision shown by so many clubs. This initiative is something we care deeply about, as it reflects our ongoing commitment to strengthening sailing communities across the UK. Each application demonstrated not only creativity and ambition, but also a clear sense of how clubs can deliver meaningful and lasting benefits for their members and the wider community. Funding the Future is about much more than financial support – it’s about giving clubs the tools and confidence to drive positive change, and we’re proud to play a role in that journey.”
Mark Jardine, Managing Editor of YachtsandYachting.com and returning judge said, “It’s getting harder and harder to pick the most worthy clubs for this award. So many fantastic initiatives that show how sailing is continually innovating in a changing world. Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who make all of this possible!”
Gareth Brookes from the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and new judge for 2025, adds, “I’m delighted to join the judging panel for the Sunsail Funding the Future Awards. This initiative is a fantastic example of how collaboration and targeted investment can help strengthen the grassroots of our sport.
“At the RYA, we are deeply committed to supporting participation and growth at every level, and this programme clearly aligns with our drive to empower clubs and help communities thrive. For many clubs, access to development funding can be the difference between having a good idea and delivering a transformative project. Whether it’s improving facilities, expanding youth programmes, or increasing accessibility, the impact of this support is felt not just in the short term, but for years to come. It enables clubs to dream bigger, reach further, and continue to be the beating heart of sailing and boating in their regions.”
Katy Stickland, Editor of Practical Boat Owner and new judge for 2025, said: “It was impressive to see all of the work and effort which went into every single entry for Sunsail’s Funding the Future, and it was a tough job picking the winner as so many clubs had proposed really worthwhile plans but the winning club, Otley, had a clear, costed vision of how it planned to use five second-hand lasers to help young sailors in their racing journey and nurture membership at the club, growing sailing sustainably within their community. It is going to be interesting to see the difference it will make to the club in the coming years and the scheme’s lasting impact.”
This year’s winners join the Funding The Future alumni, with previous winners including; West Lancashire Yacht Club, who secured the 2024 top prize into invest in infrastructure and outreach through schools and training, Yeadon Sailing Club, who wanted to expand its access and participation through fleet expansion and inclusive membership, and Rudyard Lake Sailing Club, who wanted to boost its training resources and facilities to support growth and sustainability in skills development.
