The Review

What is the RYA Pathway Review? 

In the second half of 2023, the RYA Racing Committee commissioned renowned and respected sailor, coach and event management professional Rob Andrews to undertake a review of the British Youth and Junior Sailing Pathway. 

The Review addressed the question: 

“How can the RYA Talent Pathway evolve to better find, develop and retain sailors with the most performance potential?” 

Specific considerations were given to: 

• Changing Olympic demands 
• Reducing the cost of the sport 
• Broadening the demographics of the talent pathway 

Why did the RYA conduct this review? 

For the last 20 years, the RYA has had one of the best talent pathways in sport. But throughout this period the world, the sporting landscape and the way people choose to spend their leisure time have changed.   

We need to evolve against the backdrop of an increasingly fast-paced, choice-rich, time-poor society – a society which is also feeling the impact of the cost of living. We need to look at what we do, and how we do it, to ensure that a) our sport remains exciting and relevant to would-be young sailors and b) we continue to attract racing talents, develop their potential and create a racing community that all British people can be proud to be a part of. 

These changes, coupled with the fact that grant investment from central sources across sport has also decreased in real terms in recent years, meant the time was right to look at how we do things and how we focus resource in the right way and at the right time to best support young sailors’ journeys.