West Wales sailor Kelly Mayhew receives RYA Youth Community Award

Kelly Mayhew was presented with an RYA Youth Community Award by HRH the Princess Royal © WYA

West Wales sailor Kelly Mayhew was presented with one of the RYA's (Royal Yachting Association) most prestigious awards, an RYA Youth Community Award, by HRH the Princess Royal, for her coaching of able-bodied and disability sailors.

HRH the Princess Royal is President of the RYA and made the presentation at the organisation's annual Volunteer Awards ceremony held at London's One Great George Street.

A total of 43 voluntary awards were presented to winners hailing from across the UK from as far afield as Neyland to Argyll.

19-year-old Mayhew was the Welsh Sailing Coach of the Year earlier this year and is also in the running for the Wales Sports Awards coach of the year title. She was nominated for her RYA award by Neyland Yacht Club and was selected as a winner by the Awards panel for her work coaching from the age of 14.

Mayhew has coached Morgan Bugler at Neyland and he has just taken the next step towards qualifying for the Paralympics by achieving a good ranking in the qualification process.

"It was wonderful to get the award, I met so many people and it was exciting to say the least to meet the Princess Royal," said Mayhew, who is a support worker for Mencap Cymru.

"I never really expected anything like this, it is just good to be involved. I started coaching when I was 14 to give something back to the club who had given so much to me through the ability to sail and the social side.

"When I started coaching a stage two group three years ago there were disability sailors there. Basically we all clicked and they are in the Welsh squad now so I am chuffed.

"Morgan is trialling special boats for the Paralympics now so that is exciting.

"At the awards ceremony it was nice talking to people with so much experience that you can learn from. There were some people heavily involved in Sailability (the RYA scheme to encourage sailors with a disability) so it was nice to hear other people's life stories.

"It was an inspiration to keep going. I have a long time to go, but I would like to end up in a career involving sailing."

Next up for Mayhew is the Wales Sports Awards, televised by BBC Wales, so it is an exciting time for the Neyland sailor.

Sarah Treseder, RYA Chief Executive said, "The RYA is delighted to make this award in recognition of Kelly's enthusiasm, promotion of our sport and contribution to the boating scene.

"The 43 RYA winners are an inspiration to us all and it is my pleasure to recognise and celebrate their hard work and dedication."

Mayhew and the other RYA award winners enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the presence of HRH the Princess Royal, and were presented with a commemorative medallion and certificate.

For more information about the RYA Volunteer Awards visit www.rya.org.uk