200 Year Old Yacht Club Votes To Allow Women

7 August 2013, 12:20 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

For the first time in its 200 year history, women are being allowed into one of the world's most exclusive yacht clubs on the Isle of Wight.

The Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS)'s rule - enforced since they were founded in 1815 - meant even their patron the Queen technically. couldn't go inside the club in Cowes.

A statement from the RYS said:

"The Royal Yacht Squadron is delighted to confirm that, following extensive consideration and consultation within its Membership, the Regatta Meeting of Members unanimously passed a resolution instructing the Committee to bring forward rule changes to the Spring Meeting next year that will give effect the agreement that Ladies may be proposed for Membership.
 
"This resolution further confirms the commitment the Royal Yacht Squadron has had since the early 1960s, when Lady Associate Members were introduced, to integration of ladies in all its activities and in the use of its facilities.
 
"This  decision  has come as we are preparing for our Bicentenary in 2015 and whilst the 50 or so young persons of both sexes that have been through our race training programme are doing so well in the ten Squadron J109s racing in Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week."