HIMLEY Hall Sailing Club has officially been recognised as amongst Britain’s best after being shortlisted for the prestigious Royal Yachting Association's club of the year award 2015.

The RYA, sailing’s national governing body, presents the annual award in recognition of how well clubs promote the sport of sailing, encourage people onto the water and make their activities varied and available to their community.

And after a landmark year for Himley Hall, the club has made the final shortlist of five for the first time, alongside clubs from Norfolk, Wales, Essex and Hertfordshire.

The winner of the RYA Club of the Year Award 2015 will be revealed by the association's CEO Sarah Treseder at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace, London, on Saturday, February 28.

Himley Hall club commodore, Tony Sutton, believes the nomination is a nod to the power of volunteers.

He said: “This is a massive achievement for a club our size. We’re only a small club with around 120 regulars sailing over the course of the season, but we reckon over 90 per cent of members, including our juniors, helped the club in some way during 2014.

“It may have been cutting the grass, maintaining boats, catering, painting, helping with the new decking, mending the starter's hut, coaching, manning the safety boat, rigging and putting away boats or just handing out buoyancy aids to youngsters, it all helps and keeps the club running smoothly.

“It’s all unpaid but everyone does it because they love sailing. It’s that friendliness and a willingness to muck in and help anyone I think really sets us apart.”

Over the past year Himley Hall has made a huge impact on encouraging sailing within the local community. A Sportivate project in partnership with West Midlands Police saw more than 80 young people aged 11-22 from all backgrounds take part in regular sailing sessions, while more than 130 youngsters tried sailing through a new formal partnership with Ellowes Hall Sports College, in Lower Gornal, which has put sailing on the curriculum.

In addition, over 100 adults tried sailing for the first time for free taster sessions run by Himley Hall as part of the national ‘have a go’ RYA Push The Boat Out event and for Himley Hall’s Armed Forces Day celebrations. Himley Hall also regularly hosts Cubs and Scouts sailing to coincide with camping weekends at Kinver while Wombourne Guides enjoy evening activities at the club.

Himley Hall SC is a recognised RYA Training Centre, meaning it conforms to the highest standards of quality and safety, and all these standout 2014 community initiatives, plus the club’s own training and racing activities, is run entirely by volunteer instructors, coaches and assistants.

For more information visit rya.org.uk/go/cluboftheyear