It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce that Hughie Shields has received the 2023 MYA Syan Award. This recognises an individual or group who has or have made an outstanding contribution to model yachting. In recognition of the prestige of this award, nominations are assessed by a panel consisting of the MYA President and two MYA Vice Presidents.

Hughie joined the Greenock MYC in 1948 and hence has celebrated his 75th membership anniversary! Throughout his involvement in model yachting, he has been a highly successful boat designer, boat builder, skipper and servant of our sport serving as a committee member of Greenock MYC, the Scottish Model Yachting Association (a predecessor of the MYA) and remains a MYA Vice President.

The full nomination by Greenock MY&PBC is attached (click here). The photo shows Hughie with the MYA Syan Award and, to mark 75 years with Greenock MY&PBC, glasses and a decanter with a bottle of whisky to fill it.

The yacht in the photo is Hughie’s A Class from the late 1970’s that he built with Andy Laird. It was designed for light airs such as those found in Gosport. Hughie campaigned Lair Sheild in 1978 and 1979 at the Nations and International Championships. Hughie won both the National and International Championships.
Congratulations to Hughie on all of these achievements!