News that the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) in Cowes has decided to open full membership to women has hit the national news.
The club, which was founded in 1815, opened up to Lady Associate Members back in the 1960s, but some fifty years later has now agreed that ‘Ladies’ may be proposed for full membership.
This could be welcome news for some of the Island’s female sailors such as Olympic champion Shirley Robertson and Dame Ellen MacArthur who both live on the Isle of Wight.
Decision comes ahead of Bicentenary in 2015
A spokesperson for the RYS told OnTheWight,
“The Royal Yacht Squadron is delighted to confirm that, following extensive consideration and consultation within its Membership, the Regatta Meeting of Members unanimously passed a resolution instructing the Committee to bring forward rule changes to the Spring Meeting next year that will give effect the agreement that Ladies may be proposed for Membership.
“This resolution further confirms the commitment the Royal Yacht Squadron has had since the early 1960s, when Lady Associate Members were introduced, to integration of ladies in all its activities and in the use of its facilities.
“This decision has come as we are preparing for our Bicentenary in 2015 and whilst the 50 or so young persons of both sexes that have been through our race training programme are doing so well in the ten Squadron J109s racing in Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week.”
Image: Ron Saunders47 under CC BY 2.0
