Leicestershire sailor to get royal seal of approval

Five East Midlands sailors will each receive one of the Royal Yachting Association's most prestigious awards from HRH the Princess Royal, President of the RYA, later this month in celebration of their huge contribution to the sport.

Graham Hasnip (The Nottingham SC), James Bettles (Girton SC) and Larissa Barker (Hollowell SC) will be honoured with RYA Lifetime Commitment awards by sailing's national governing body, which recognises individuals who have shown exceptional commitment and dedication to their club or organisation for at least 15 years.

Mike Jones (Staunton Harold SC) will receive an RYA Outstanding Contribution Award, which recognises individuals who have made a significant volunteer contribution to their club or organisation, either over a period of time or a 'one-off' effort.

Meanwhile Girton SC's Will Baldock gets an RYA Youth Award, for young people aged under 25 who have demonstrated a regular commitment and/or inspirational contribution over and above their own participation or achievement within the sport.

Larissa has become an integral part of day-to-day life at Hollowell SC, taking on a whole host of invaluable roles during more than two decades of volunteering, including being the club's first lady Commodore.

She has been instrumental in nurturing the growth of youth training and thanks largely to her influence many of the club's young sailors have gone on to sail in Zone Squads and at national and international level.

Will is one of only three RYA Youth Award winners nationwide in recognition of his work as a Senior Instructor and Powerboat Instructor, including organising the regional East Midlands RYA Honda Youth RIB Championship and with Lincolnshire Scouts, with whom he first learned to sail at Girton SC around 15 years ago.

Mike, meanwhile, has been a Staunton Harold member for nine years and has used his extensive professional experience to help the club attract and keep more sailors. He has played a major role in helping to improve the club's facilities, developing fundraising application securing more than £140,000 over the past six years and also helped develop modernise club branding and communications.

He said: "I was utterly overwhelmed to learn I had won this award. I have always loved the sport and the people in it. I've been sailing in many places and made great lifelong friends because of it, and I can still compete after all these years!

"Being involved in all we have achieved at Staunton Harold over the last few years has given me the greatest pleasure and winning the RYA Club of the Year Award in 2014 was a massive reward and simply the icing on the cake."

The quintet were all nominated by their clubs and/or the organisations they work with and selected as winners by the RYA Awards panel. They will enjoy a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, and be presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.

(Source: Image & Text - http://www.rya.org.uk/)