Introduces "The Female Futures Group" by RYA

A Fresh Breeze in British Sailing: The Female Futures Group

Witness the storm of change stirring in the waters of British Sailing as the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) introduces the Female Futures Group, a movement dedicated to uplifting female participants and unveiling untapped opportunities for women and girls in this oceanic adventure.

With a beacon lit for Great Britain to become the world's ultimate playground for female sailors, the group sets daring targets to ensure sailing becomes a beacon of inclusivity, providing every young girl with the chance to reach her zenith.

Crafted to nourish talent and pave a crystal-clear path from grassroots sailing to competitive glory, the British Youth and Junior Sailing Pathway has long been the compass for triumphant young sailors aged 10 to 21. Now, shaping the course of this evolving journey is The Female Futures Group, steadfast in driving meaningful change across the waves.

Navigating Tides of Success

armed with an ambitious vision, the new crew sets sail on a course for real change. Key anchors in their voyage include:

More Racers: Bolstering support and guidance to sailing clubs and classes, with the ultimate goal of increasing the number of active female racers in Pathway classes by 2028.
Better Experiences: Implementing female-specific support and training across all RYA Pathway programs, coaches, and classes by 2026, to ensure environments tailor-made for thriving female development.
Aspirational Role Models: Aiming for a 50% increase in female coaches/management roles by 2028, to ignite the flame of female sailors, coaches, and leaders—the lighthouses guiding the next generation.

Beyond target numbers, their mission extends to transforming sailing culture: ripping down barriers, building confidence, and helming safe spaces for female sailors to grow and prosper.

Tides are Changing

For nearly two decades, Britain has conquered high seas by cultivating world-class sailing talent, spawning some of the sport's most honored athletes. But as the sea shifts, so must the approach. The RYA, following a 2023 strategic review, launched the Pathway Evolution Project—an initiative championing affordability, accessibility, and diversity.

The Female Futures Group, a vital component of the project, aligns with the RYA's Reflections on Water campaign, weaving a welcoming, inspiring, and achievable sailing experience for all.

Steering the Course

Guided by a shared thirst for change, an intrepid RYA team and 10 industry-leading women steer The Female Futures Group. Experts in elite sailing, coaching, sports science, and athlete development, they harness their passion and insights to carve a more inclusive sailing future.

At the helm is Hannah Diamond, a globally renowned sailor with experience in SailGP, Olympic campaigning, and America's Cup competition. Champion of change, she leads the group in their crusade to make sailing a frontrunner in gender equality.

Her crew includes:

Sarah McGovern - RYA Welsh Performance Manager, devoted to launching female talent into the sailing stratosphere.
Alex Newman - Independent Consultant, scaling heights in female athletic health and wellbeing.
Rebecca Partridge - Performance Pathway Officer at British Gymnastics, surmounting hurdles in female athlete health and wellbeing research.
Abbie Hewitt - SportsSotland Performance Sport Manager, relentless in juxtaposing the sailing status quo with change.
Jess Libby - RYA 420 Youth Squad Lead Coach and Advanced Research Engineer.
Kirstie Urwin - Head of Holistic Development at The True Athlete Project, cultivating well-rounded sailors.
Natalie Brown - Research Officer at Swansea University/Sport Wales, excelling in female health and performance studies.
Nicola Boniface - Sea Survival Trainer at the RNLI, championing female health education in RYA junior pathways.
Paula MacLaverty - Female athlete coach for Welsh Sailing.
Nick Scott - RYA Director of Racing and expert navigator on the Pathway Evolution Project.
Oli Woodcock - RYA Youth Racing Manager and leader of Talent programs.

Smelling the Salt Air of Change

"The Female Futures Group's utilitarian crew changes tides and redefines the sailing world for women and girls who aspire to conquer the seas. Every member of the group yearns to make a lasting impression. Many of us have surfed the waves of incredible opportunities in sports, but we recognize the need for reform to ensure that women and girls see a clear future in sailing. We all desire to repay the favors we've received by shaping a more inclusive sailing culture, unafraid that this isn't just about increasing participation—it's about cultivating confidence, generating opportunities, and providing the supportive ecosystem girls need to flourish at every level."Hannah Diamond, Female Futures Group Chair and internationally recognized sailor

"The launch of the Female Futures Group marks a significant milestone in the Pathway Evolution Project. Over the years, we've witnessed the astonishing talent and commitment of female sailors. However, we acknowledge the barriers that still hinder progress. While this is only the beginning of our journey, we are steadfast in taking decisive actions and changing sailing—"talent and ambition, not gender, shall define success within our sport."Nick Scott, RYA Director Of Racing and lead on the Pathway Evolution Project.

Setting Sail

The Female Futures Group is more than providing room for women in the sailing arena—it's crafting a future where female sailors can soar, regardless if they're claiming championship titles or shaping the sport as coaches and mentors.

Discover more about the The Female Futures Group, and the broader Pathway Evolution.

Participate in this oceanic adventure that places an emphasis on sports, specifically sailing, as the Female Futures Group strives to boost female participation and unveil untapped opportunities for women and girls in the sport.

The Female Futures Group, a key player in the Pathway Evolution Project, aims to make sailing a beacon of inclusivity, aiming to increase the number of active female racers, implement female-specific support, and increase the number of female coaches and managers to foster growth and inspiration in female sailors.