Winners of previous Heinke Trophies give their advice on submitting an application
To provide you with inspiration for your own Heinke Trophy 2024 final report, here are some previous winners of the award giving their advice and tips on submitting your application.
2023 Winners – Aberdeen Sub Aqua Club
Aberdeen was a very worthy winner amongst some very strong entries. It stood out for its activities: wide spread of training, diving, and scientific projects including the identification of new wreck sites, combining all of this with great leadership and teamwork.
TOP TIP
We loved going through the Heinke Trophy application process, it brought the club members even closer together - with hidden talents coming to the fore in the production of the submission (who knew our membership included accomplished drafters, graphic designers and parents who were extremely good at English)!
2022 Winners – Ras Al-Hamra Sub Aqua Club
Despite the challenges of Covid, RAHSAC was chosen as our 2022 winner against some very strong entries. However, RAHSAC stood out to the adjudicators because of their teamwork, high-quality, well-planned diving and an active programme which created a welcoming atmosphere.
TOP TIP
The Heinke Trophy provides a great opportunity to reflect and record your successes and experiences. It also generates a focus and energy that brings club members together and gives you something to look back on in the years ahead.
2016 Winners – East Cheshire SAC
It was East Cheshire SAC’s strong track-record of community events and the way the club2016 winners East Cheshire SAC engaged all its members that caught the judges’ attention. East Cheshire’s development of an underwater platform in Salford Quays for all the scuba community was also highlighted as a winning factor.
TOP TIP
Work as a team, and start early. The categories that the Heinke is judged on provide a good framework to ensure that the club is working and developing in as many of these areas as possible. For a club without a strategic plan it would be a good place to start. It is also a useful way to engage members and ensure that the club has people focused on each of the key areas.
2015 Winners – South Bay Scuba
South Bay Scuba – which was set up in 2013 –2015 winners South Bay Scuba is one of the youngest clubs to receive the Heinke Trophy. The club was commended for its open, positive and collaborative approach towards its development, including its diver training programme and the purchase of its own hardboat.
TOP TIP
"Make it a team effort as it is lots of work for one person but do have someone project managing the whole thing. I would also suggest you include photos etc and make sure it is all proof read. And enjoy the process - we didn’t realise just how much we had done and achieved until we wrote it down."
2014 Winners – Bradford SAC
Bradford SAC stood out amongst other 2014 Heinke Trophy applicants for its members’ work to maintain and develop their clubhouse, their membership recruitment activities and their community work, as well as the club’s 2014 winners Bradford SACsuccess in a range of BSAC initiatives, including Volunteer of the Year. Bradford’s Heinke success came after the club also won the BSAC Branch Diamond Event competition – designed to celebrate BSAC’s 60th anniversary.
TOP TIP
Go for it!! Read through other submissions at BSAC HQ to see what is involved, create a diary of everything you do no matter how small take as many photographs as possible of all you diving, social and other events in the life of your club.
Start early, do it as a team with clearly defined jobs and responsibilities but with an editor with the final say. Also, speak to another club who have already done it before and do not be frightened to ask them for help or advice, Good luck!
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