The RYA is committed to ensuring that sailing and boating is an open, accessible and inclusive sport and pastime for all new, existing, past and potential boaters. As a core value, inclusion is championed from the board down and as a National Governing Body we aim to Impact, Inspire and Influence all of our affiliated clubs, recognised training centres and class associations to embrace diversity and challenge any form of discrimination and poor behaviour.

The RYA was the first National Governing Body to achieve the Advanced level of the Equality Standard for Sport, established by the Sports Councils as a benchmark for the governing bodies to whom they provide funding.  The award of the Advanced Standard in 2016 recognised the RYA’s commitment to increasing diversity amongst participants in sailing and boating, its staff and committees, and the progress achieved so far – but there is still more to be done.

As an organisation, the RYA is committed to reflecting and representing the diversity of the UK and to ensure equal opportunities in employment and the ongoing development of staff and volunteers. Our extensive policies and procedures allow us to tackle inequality which ensures that our organisation is free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of all people and that all people are treated fairly with dignity and respect.

We are proud to have launched the first RYA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy in 2021 where our aim is to "Chart an equal, diverse, and inclusive course for the future of boating". Our Action plan highlights comprehensive, measurable actions in which the entire organisation can play an active role in its delivery. Our ambitions are high and we know there is lots to do, but we are focussed and dedicated to succeed. The RYA Transitional Plan April 2021- March 2022 identifies equality, diversity and inclusion as one of three key priority areas for focus as we maintain momentum within the sport.

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion pages allow anyone involved in sailing and boating to access support, information and guidance which will increase knowledge and understanding of the role you can play in helping us to ensure that sailing and boating continues to be inclusive and welcoming. By working together, we can ensure that the sport we love is representative of the diverse communities that we serve.

Contact details

We recently updated our telephone number: 

02380 60 4297 

Press option 1 for Safeguarding 

Press option 2 for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Working Groups

The RYA has several working groups which we welcome our stakeholders to be part of...

Women in Boating Working Group

Ethnicity in Boating Focus Group

New LGBTQIA+ Network

RYA National Training Youth Forum - Coming Soon

For further queries, contact the RYA Equality Team at equality@rya.org.uk