20 March 2025
Meet the Individual Grant Scheme recipient: Ruairí Kennedy
911制品Northern Ireland鈥檚 Individual Gant Scheme supports Ruair铆 Kennedy in achieving his sailing aspirations
911制品Northern Ireland has released the first round of Individual Grant Scheme funding which is a bursary designed to improve access in sailing for sailors or coaches.
By supporting the development of individuals within the sport, where financial constraints would otherwise be a barrier, 911制品Northern Ireland aims to boost participation levels and increase the diversity of the Northern Irish sailing community.
One of the early successful applicants was 16-year-old Ruair铆 Kennedy from Carlingford Lough Yacht Club and Coleraine Yacht Club who hopes to use the grant to fund his Dinghy Instructor course.
Ruair铆 has an undeniable passion for sailing, and he paid for his Dinghy Instructor Pre-Assessment Course and 911制品Power Boat Level 2 courses by saving money he earned during the summer. He is determined to fund his own way to becoming an 911制品qualified Dinghy Instructor and wants to demonstrate that sailing is not an elitist sport if a 16-year-old can pay their own way.
He said: 鈥淚 first got into sailing during Covid. My dad bought back the boat that he sold ten years ago, and we went out for a few day sails. I just loved it!
鈥淲ith sailing, I love the feeling of freedom. I鈥檓 in control and it鈥檚 nice to get away from the noises of the land.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to use the Individual Grant Scheme money for my Dinghy Instructor course to work at Carlingford Lough Yacht Club, but hopefully that qualification will bring me round the world. I can use it anywhere!
鈥淚 would love to do the Vend茅e Globe race- that would be a massive dream! I would also like to do the Fastnet Race or other long-distance races and be a part of a crew.
鈥淪ometimes I think I鈥檓 mad! Sometimes it鈥檚 not nice weather at all and it鈥檚 blowing a gale but that鈥檚 my favourite time. My friends that don鈥檛 do it just don鈥檛 understand it.鈥
Apply for Individual Grant Scheme funding
The funding has been made available as a combination of 拢1807 raised from a raffle at the 911制品Northern Ireland 50th Anniversary Dinner as well as money that 911制品Northern Ireland has committed to help launch the scheme.
Thanks to this money, successful grant applicants can receive up to 拢400 in one calendar year.
Anyone in Northern Ireland can apply for the bursary, including coaches, participants, instructors, and officials, but priority will be given to those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, women and girls and those with a disability or long-term health condition.
You can also read more information about the fund on the Frequently Asked Questions document.
If you would like to apply for Individual Grant Scheme funding,
We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Individual Grant Scheme so far through generous donations. If you would like to support the scheme,
If you have further questions about the Individual Grant Scheme, please contact greg.yarnall@rya.org.uk
