Ras Al Hamra (Oman) Sub-Aqua Club, 2022 Heinke Trophy winners
After a short pause, BSAC has announced the return of the Heinke Trophy – BSAC’s premier award recognising club excellence.
Since 1958, the Heinke Trophy has been a cornerstone of the BSAC community, celebrating the achievements and dedication of its scuba and snorkelling clubs as well as the impact they have had on our sport.
As BSAC now moves forward with its ambitious 2025–2029 strategy, the Heinke Trophy has also evolved – becoming not just a celebration of past success, but a catalyst for future growth, inclusion, and innovation.
Reconnecting the past with the future
Phil Harrison, from the Heinke adjudicating team, said the refreshed Heinke had been brought up to date while remaining true to the original ethos of the award. He explained:
More than ever, the Heinke Trophy will be a platform to showcase how clubs are actively bringing BSAC’s strategic vision to life – in how they dive, train, recruit, and connect with their communities.
The refreshed Heinke Trophy will now champion the five key goals of BSAC’s strategy: Inspire and Promote, Protecting our Waters, Improve Accessibility, Grow Training Capacity and Increase Member Value and Engagement.
Clubs entering the Heinke Trophy will be asked to record and produce a report showcasing a ‘year in the life’ of their club. Each year, the winning Heinke Trophy club will receive a £1,000 prize, and be awarded the Heinke Trophy. They will also gain national recognition, with their achievements shared across BSAC’s platforms as a shining example of what great club diving and snorkelling look like.
Simpler. Smarter. More Supportive.
After listening to club feedback, BSAC has made the Heinke Trophy more accessible to enter than ever. Here’s what’s new:
- A streamlined application process, with more time to prepare and submit
- Judging criteria aligned directly with BSAC’s strategy
- A two-year timeline to give space for reflection, planning, and storytelling
- New mentoring support – with up to three one-to-one sessions available for interested clubs
- A series of Heinke webinars, featuring past winners and judges
- A comprehensive online toolkit launching in June 2025 at www.bsac.com/heinke – including templates, examples, and the updated application form
Have a question about the Heinke Trophy? Get in touch – email the Heinke team at heinke@bsac.com
The Heinke Trophy 2026 now live
The relaunch of the Heinke Trophy sees the introduction of a new two-year cycle to allow clubs to plan, deliver, and present their stories with pride.
This means that the Heinke Trophy 2026 kicks off in June 2025 with a ‘preparation phase’ running until 30 November 2025. This is followed by the activity phase from January to December 2026 during which clubs record their activities, achievements and successes throughout the year to create their final Heinke Trophy report.
All final reports for the Heinke Trophy 2026 must be submitted by 31 January 2027. The winner of the trophy will be announced by Spring 2027.
Phil added:
Your club can become part of shaping the future of diving and snorkelling while celebrating your local impact. The Heinke Trophy is a chance to shine a spotlight on your members’ passion, innovation, and commitment – and to inspire others to follow your lead.
How to Take Part – Heinke Trophy 2026
Register your club’s interest in entering the Heinke Trophy by completing the online registration form by 30 November 2025 at the latest.
If you are thinking about applying, but are unsure, please email heinke@bsac.com for a discussion with one of the team who can advise you if this is the right time for your club to enter.
Once registered, your club will need to:
- Access one-to-one mentoring as soon as you apply to help plan your application year journey in 2026
- Record and document your club’s activities from 1 Jan – 31 Dec 2026
- Submit your final report by 31 January 2027
The Heinke Trophy 2026 winner will be announced in Spring 2027. For more details on the new-look Heinke Trophy and how to register go to bsac.com/heinke
