A SAILOR from Sale will receive one of the Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) most prestigious awards from the HRH Princess Royal, Princess Anne, later this month.

Tricia Ordsmith, Club president of Rudyard Lake Sailing Club, will receive a RYA Lifetime Commitment Award.

This award is considered as equivalent to receiving an MBE. It is given to individuals who have shown exceptional generosity and commitment to the sport at local level for at least 15 years.

The RYA’s president, HRH Princess Royal, will give Tricia the award at the club’s annual awards ceremony in London on Friday, November 22.

In order to receive the award, you must be nominated by the other members of your club. Tricia said: “When I found out I had won this award I was absolutely chuffed and surprised.”

“I can’t express how humbled I felt learning that my club colleagues had nominated me. I also couldn’t believe how they had kept such a secret from me!”

Tricia joined Rudyard Sailing Club over 25 years ago and quickly became a valued member. She became the group leader of the club’s youth section and introduced the RYA’s training programme which propelled the club forward and taken it from strength to strength.

After taking early retirement from her former career, she is now the Sailing Development Officer for the RYA. As well as this, she is keeping to her roots in training and is a coach and assessor. She supports new instructors in getting their qualifications.

Tricia heavily advocates female and youth participation in the club and runs the club’s highly successful Women on the Water weekly session. She frequently gives up her own sailing time to support others.

Tricia said: “The beauty of sailing is it can be a sport or a pastime. Through sailing I have made many friends and enjoyed several sailing adventures and holidays.

“I have definitely developed a passion for it and have enjoyed sharing this passion with others.

"It is always rewarding to see someone develop a new skill or achieve a new goal.

"I’ve now been lucky to have converted my hobby into a new career.”