Appointed Director of Junior + Intermediate at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club!
Pop a bottle!
I’m beyond humbled and grateful to share some exciting news: I’ve been voted in as the Director of Junior and Intermediate for the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. As a relatively new member of the club, it’s incredibly moving to know that the community has entrusted me with this responsibility. This role is not one I take lightly, and I’m deeply appreciative of the support and trust from my fellow members.
Sailing has been a lifelong passion of mine, and this opportunity means the world to me. I’m eager to bring the skills I’ve honed both from my sailing background and from building my business into this role. At the heart of my business are three core values: community, creativity, and integrity. These values strongly align with the spirit of the club, and I look forward to weaving them into the work we do within the Junior and Intermediate membership and the committee as a whole.
A huge thank you to the past Commodore for his inspiring speech, it truly resonated with me and gave me even more excitement for the future of our club. I’d also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our new Commodore! I’m thrilled to work alongside her, the board, the staff and all the committee members and volunteers as we continue to make this incredible club even better.
I’m also lucky to have an amazing committee, a team of rock stars who share my enthusiasm and vision. Together, we’re aiming to make a real impact, not only for our juniors and intermediates but also within the wider club community. And we’re going to have fun doing it!
Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey to date. I’m excited to get started and can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.
Here’s to a fantastic chapter ahead!
Some shots of those who have made this community so much fun to be a part of!
Want to learn more about The RVYC?
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Original nomination statement to the membership
Dear Members,
I am honoured to be considered for the position of Director of Junior & Intermediate at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. I have dedicated much of my life to the sport of sailing, beginning my journey at the age of four in Ireland as a member of the reciprocal club, the Royal Saint George Yacht Club. My early experiences set the foundation for what has grown into a lifelong passion for sailing and youth development within our sport.
Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of representing Ireland in multiple classes, including 420s, Lasers, and keelboats, while competing in international events such as European and World Championships. These experiences taught me the value of resilience, teamwork, and strategic thinking. Beyond competitive sailing, I have held numerous leadership roles, such as Senior Instructor at various yacht clubs, where I managed teams of instructors, led junior and adult programs, and championed inclusive initiatives, such as disabled sailing and social sailing events. One of my proudest achievements is the now annual event called "The Big Gay Sail," celebrating the Pride community. I have also consulted with the Irish Sailing Association on their junior and adult sailing syllabi while building an internal club program called Usail, which remains a thriving program that brings new members to the RStGYC each year.
My time as the Irish National Optimist Coach stands out as a highlight in my sailing career, where I not only guided young sailors in reaching their goals but also helped those who faced setbacks learn to navigate adversity, manage disappointment in healthy ways, and persevere to meet their next challenge. Seeing my sailors become Olympians, leaders, and positive forces in the sailing community and beyond has been one of my greatest rewards, and it strengthens my commitment to fostering the next generation of youth.
Beyond my involvement in sailing, I am a trained architect now working in the world of creative marketing and event design. As the founder of Creative Others Collective Inc., a Vancouver-based agency built on the values of Community, Creativity, and Integrity, we have built events that inspire community engagement and participation. I see great potential for this background to serve our club by enhancing the experiences, visibility, and outreach efforts that will support both membership growth and, just as importantly, the quality of our members’ experience at the club. I believe that our members deserve a vibrant, innovative environment that reflects the values of community and shared adventure that make yacht club membership so unique.
If elected as Director of Junior & Intermediate, my goal is to enhance our club’s programs for intermediate members both on and off the water and to support our young sailors by offering resources and initiatives that encourage growth, confidence, and a sense of belonging. With a strong foundation in communitydriven leadership, I am committed to providing the mentorship, skills, and creative ideas that will help our junior and intermediate members thrive by building a committee that is both fun and rewarding to be part of.
Thank you for considering my candidacy. I look forward to the opportunity to serve and contribute to the incredible legacy of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club.
Warm and grateful regards,
Troy McNamara
