A commitment to engaging women and underrepresented groups has resulted in the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) being recognised by the Sports Council.

In fact, the RYA has become the first national governing body in the country to be awarded the Advanced Level of the Sports Council’s Equality Standard for Sport.

The Equality Standard for Sport is a framework for assisting sports organisations to reduce inequalities and provided access to sport and physical activity for underrepresented demographics of society.

The achievement reflects the RYA’s work in increasing diversity among participants in sailing and boating, its staff and committees and the progress achieved in attaining all four levels of the Standard over a 10-year period.

In their report, the Sports Council Equality Group panel highlighted the RYA’s achievements in the areas of disability, age and gender - with a “demonstrable increase in the number of women and girls participating in the sport”.

Programmes such as OnBoard and Push the Boat Out had a “significant potential” for welcoming underrepresented groups.

RYA chief executive Sarah Treseder said that while the organisation was “very proud” to achieve the standard, there was “plenty more to do before boating participation fully reflects the diversity of the UK population”.

The RYA has highlighted a need to challenge the “external perceptions” of the sport in black and ethnic minority communities, as well as the LGBT community, in an attempt to engage with these groups.