After two years of research, surveys, interviews, analysis, debate and discussion the RYA officially revealed its new look membership at the Southampton Boat Show.
With a more contemporary look and feel the new membership aims to be clearer, simpler and more compelling for members and future members.
“We have been delighted with how the new look membership has been received at the show”, commented RYA Membership Development Manager, Conor Swift.
“We have had some great feedback and lively discussion with members and non-members, which is really useful in helping us shape membership so that it suits the needs of all boaters.”
The new model consists of four categories:
- Pathway – For those who have just discovered boating
- Personal – For recreational boaters
- Associate – For boaters who are members of an RYA affiliated club or association
- Accredited – For RYA Instructors, RYA race officials, RYA race coach level 2 & 3, commercial endorsements holders, British Youth Sailing Squad and World Class Programme sailors
Each category will have a unique colour identity that will run across the website landing page through to membership cards and stickers and there will also be new look Gold cards for RYA Gold members and a Black card for RYA Life members.
“Alongside the new look, by moving to this new model, in the long term we will be able to tailor the offers and information we provide to each of the categories as we learn more about them”, Conor added.
What the members said:
Stephen Lacey from Loughborough, the first person to sign up for RYA membership at the show and collect his new card commented: “I think the new cards look clean, simple and efficient. They are easy to see, you don’t need a PhD to understand them! I really like the navy and white design of the personal member card.”
RYA Life member Dr. Thom from Everton commented: “The new cards are fresher looking and easier to read, they are also much easier to find amongst the other cards in the wallet. I’ve been a member for many years as I think it is important to support the association and the great work it does.”
Existing members that meet the criteria for the new Accredited category will be moved over to this category during September, with all the remaining existing members moved in to the new Personal Member category. Members moved to the Personal member category will then be able to move themselves into another category if they feel it suits them better (subject to meeting category criteria).
All new members can select membership from any of the four new categories (subject to meeting category criteria).
For more information visit www.rya.org.uk/membership/Pages/join-the-rya.aspx or contact the RYA Membership Team at [email protected]