Bursaries 

The RYA recognises not all RYA race officials can afford the cost of attaining their desired qualification. Financial means should not be a barrier to achieving qualified status, the RYA has agreed to part fund the qualification of race officials. 

Applications are invited from anyone wishing to become either a race officer, a judge, an umpire or a mark layer, however, preference will be given to females and those under 35, which are under-represented groups within our race officials.

It is intended that successful applicants will be expected to put some of their expertise back into their home club and so it should be noted that within the application process there will be a reference and basic monitoring expectation on the sailing committee of that club.  As a consequence it will be necessary to gain their support before applying.

A bursary is available to pay the costs of attending a relevant RYA seminar or expenses for officiating at an event away from the applicant's home club.  The award must be spent within a year and the RYA Race Officials Education Officer (ROEO) and the applicant's home club should be sent an account of how it was used.

The number of bursaries  awarded will be determined by RMC and JUC on a yearly basis.

For the year 2012/2013 the award will be £225 which can be spent on attending seminars and / or travel and accommodation at events where further experience can be gained as an official.  There will be 4 awarded for Race Management & Mark laying and 4 for Judging & Umpiring.

Applications must be to the RYA Race Officials Education Officer (ROEO) and include the following: a letter of application stating your area of interest, your reasons for doing so and what you would like to achieve if you were successful in qualifying as an official; a curriculum vitae (C.V.) of your racing experience; a letter of support from the sailing committee of your club and if possible a reference from any official you have worked with.

All applications will be considered on merit and applicants will be notified by the end of February in the year of the award. Successful applicants will receive a cheque from the RYA with their letter of notification.