Yachting New Zealand’s RŪNĀ programme has added a major international accolade to its growing list of achievements, winning the Education and Training Award at the 2026 Sport Positive Awards.

The award, announced overnight, recognises RŪNĀ among a global field of programmes using sport to drive education, sustainability and environmental action.

Its success marks the programme’s first major global award and provides further recognition of Yachting New Zealand’s growing leadership in environmental education through sailing.

The Sport Positive Awards attracted a shortlist of more than 80 organisations and individuals from across the global sporting ecosystem, with 12 winners recognised across categories including biodiversity, community initiatives, research, leadership and education.

The independent judging panel described the Education and Training category as recognising programmes that deliver exemplary learning on climate change, sustainability, climate justice or biodiversity, with RŪNĀ recognised for its pioneering approach to working with students aged eight to 15, combining classroom learning, hands-on sailing and real-world environmental investigation in partnership with research organisations.

Founded in 2021 and delivered in partnership with schools, clubs and iwi, RŪNĀ uses sailing as an entry point for environmental learning. The programme blends sailing with marine science, renewable energy education and mātauranga Māori, supporting students to move from awareness of environmental issues to active guardianship.

RŪNĀ has reached more than 25,500 students and 830 teachers through 21 sailing clubs.

Structured around three learning modules — Moanamana, Kōkōkaha and Kōrinorino — the initiative introduces students to marine monitoring and restoration, wind energy innovation, and local history and navigation knowledge. Together, these experiences are designed to build environmental literacy, practical capability and stronger connections to local coastal environments.

The programme has now reached more than 25,500 students and 830 teachers through 21 sailing clubs and is operating in two countries, with its international expansion beginning in Chile.

RŪNĀ was shortlisted alongside major international sporting organisations and institutions including the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), World Taekwondo, UEFA and European football clubs, Golf Ireland, Columbia University and the Sheffield United Community Foundation.

Yachting New Zealand chief executive Steve Armitage said the recognition was a significant achievement for everyone involved in RŪNĀ.

“Winning against international federations and institutions of that calibre is hugely impressive,” Armitage said. “The award is particularly significant because it provides independent international validation of RŪNĀ and Yachting New Zealand’s environmental leadership, while also highlighting the clubs’ contribution to delivering the programme on the water.”

Armitage paid special tribute to Yachting New Zealand education lead Alisa Torgersen, as well as founding partner Dean Stanley and Sally Carson, director of the New Zealand Marine Studies Centre at the University of Otago, who partners with Yachting New Zealand to deliver the Moanamana module.

“Alisa’s leadership and commitment have helped develop RŪNĀ into what it is today,” Armitage said. “This recognition is a direct reflection of her leadership and commitment to driving the programme forward. It also reflects the work of the clubs, teachers, research partners and volunteers who bring it to life.”

The global recognition comes just months after RŪNĀ claimed the Environmental Sustainability Award at the 2026 New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards.

That award recognised the programme’s evolution from an initiative designed to increase access to sailing into a national ocean education programme connecting young people with sailing, science, mātauranga Māori and kaitiakitanga.

The programme has also begun its international expansion, with the first overseas implementation established at Colegio Puerto Varas in Chile’s Lake District and further opportunities being explored.