Prepare your nomination

Performance Awards Criteria: (Female Sailor of the Year, Male Sailor of the Year, Team of the Year, Para Sailor of the Year and Youth Sailor of the Year)

• Nominee must be a member of a club in this state to be nominated for the state awards.
• The athlete(s) must have performed outstandingly in a sailing event(s) or other activity that commenced within the nomination period.
• Consideration will be given to an athlete, crew or team in any event.
• The athlete(s) must be of good character and known for displaying good sportsmanship.
• Athlete(s) nominating for Youth Sailor of the Year must be under 19 years of age during the year in which the event(s) included in the nomination took place.
• Athlete(s) nominating for Para Sailor of the Year must be classified, or eligible for classification, under the World Sailing Rules of Para Classification or the Virtus Athlete Eligibility Criteria or the Deaflympics Athlete Eligibility Criteria.
• Team of the Year will be awarded to the Skipper or crew who has/have excelled in one or more of the premier Sailing competitions in Australia and/or globally.

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination in the performance category.

Nominee Details: Name, Contact Number, Email Address, Australian Sailing Number, DOB, Member Clubs/Class, Class or type of boat

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

Performance Details: Please list details of outstanding performances in order of merit, including regatta name, how many entrants ,your placing, regatta dates and a link to results for all achievements.

Please note: failure to include a results link below will result in the result not being considered

Athlete Citation: Additional comments regarding the nominee’s involvement, contribution or performance in the sport can be included here.

Coach of the Year Criteria

• Must be a fully qualified and current Australian Sailing coach as well as a member of a club in this state to be nominated for the state awards.
• Quality of sporting performance(s) throughout the nomination period, considering the relative depth and level of competition
• Demonstrated behaviours such as sportsmanship, fair play, respect and integrity
• Contribution to broader coaching community (eg coach education and development, mentoring, knowledge sharing, embracing innovation and inspiring others)
• The individual shall have demonstrated exceptional levels of sportsmanship and continuing self-development; and leadership of other people in their development

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination in the Coach of the Year category.

Nominee Details: Name, Contact Number, Email Address, Australian Sailing Number, DOB, Member Clubs/Class, Class or type of boat

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

Performance Details: Please list details of outstanding performances in order of merit, including regatta name, how many entrants ,your placing, regatta dates and a link to results for all achievements.

Please note: failure to include a results link below will result in the result not being considered

Coach Citation: Additional comments regarding the nominee’s involvement, contribution or performance in the sport can be included here.

Instructor of the Year Criteria

• Must be a fully qualified and current Australian Sailing instructor (Dinghy, Powerboat, Keelboat, Windsurf, Safety & Sea Survival), working at an accredited Centre.
• Nominee must be a member of a club in this state to be nominated for the state awards.
• The individual shall have demonstrated exceptional levels of self-development; and leadership of others in their development.
• The individual must be of good character and known for displaying good sportsmanship.

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the Instructor of the Year category.

Nominee Details: Name, Contact Number, Email Address, Australian Sailing Number, DOB, Member Clubs/Class, Class or type of boat

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

Supporting statement: Please outline outstanding involvement, contribution, development or leadership of others.

Official of the Year

• Must be an accredited Australian Sailing Official as well as a member of a club in the state they are being nominated in. 
• The individual shall have demonstrated exceptional levels of self-development; and leadership of others in their development.
• The individual shall have a demonstrable record of contributing to the conduct of significant events or programs.
• The individual must be of good character and known for displaying good sportsmanship.

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the Official of the Year category.

Nominee Details: Name, Contact Number, Email Address, Australian Sailing Number, DOB, Member Clubs/Class

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

Supporting statement: Please outline outstanding involvement, contribution, development or leadership of others.

Volunteer of the Year Criteria

• Nominee must be a member of a club in this state to be nominated for the state awards
• An individual, club or class association who has made a significant voluntary contribution to the sport of sailing
• The individual must be of good character and known for displaying good sportsmanship.
• Nominees encouraged to detail their contribution

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the Volunteer of the Year category.

Nominee Details: Name, Contact Number, Email Address, Australian Sailing Number, DOB, Member Clubs/Class

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

Supporting statement: Please outline outstanding involvement, contribution, development.

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Nominee must be a member of a club in this state to be nominated for the state awards.
• Individual involved for at least 20 years in sailing.
• Outstanding contribution to sailing.
• Recipient can only receive the Award once.
• The individual must be of good character and known for displaying good sportsmanship.
• To be awarded only when there is a deserving individual nominated, not necessarily every year.

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the Lifetime achievement award.

Nominee Details: Name, Contact Number, Email Address, Australian Sailing Number, DOB, Member Clubs/Class

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

Supporting statement: Please include details (and citations) of the nominee’s involvement with and contribution to the sport of sailing.

SheSails Award

• May be awarded to an individual, group, class or club.
• The nominee must be of good character and made an outstanding contribution to female participation in sailing during the nomination period
• Awarded for achievements and contributions in the coordination, promotion and/or administration of female participation in the sport. Positions and roles held, activities undertaken and time contributed will be considered.
• The contribution may be in areas of, but not limited to, administration, coaching, leadership, planning, events, regattas, program development, participation, school sailing and retention.
• All relevant personnel hold the appropriate Australian Sailing qualifications (i.e. Coaches used in a coaching program are Australian Sailing qualified Sailing Coaches)

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the SheSails award.

Nominee Details: Name (can be an event, program or group), Contact Number, Email Address,  Member Clubs/Class

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

Supporting statement: Please include details (and citations) of the nominee’s contribution to female participation in sailing through administration, coaching, leadership, planning, events, regattas, program development, participation, school sailing and retention here.

Sport Promotion Award

• Awarded to a Club, individual or organisation that has positively promoted sailing in the community during the nomination period involving one or more of the following responsibilities:
  • Organised and promoted significant local, national or international event(s);
  • Enhanced public and/or commercial interest in sailing;
  • Generated publicity for sailing via the print, electronic, radio or television media or by the application of photographic image

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the Sport Promotion award.

Nominee Details: Name, Contact Number, Email Address,  Member Clubs/Class

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

Sport Professional Award

• Awarded to an individual who has positively contributed to sailing in areas including management, administration, club and sailing operations.

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the Sport Professional award.

Nominee Details: Name, Contact Number, Email Address, Member Clubs/Class

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

Supporting statement: Please outline outstanding instructing, coaching, officiating, management and administration. 

Innovation Award

The Innovation Award recognises the advancements and innovations displayed by individuals, teams, crews, classes, clubs or groups around the country, including (but not limited to) STEM, technology, sustainability, programs, products, boat design and concepts contributing to a more innovative sailing industry.

You will be required to address the criteria as separate questions outlined below:

Innovation: Describe the innovation (product, program, activity or service) that you introduced? Describe what makes it innovative and how you came up with the idea?

Impact & success: What impact and success have you achieved recently? This could be in the form of grants, a successful promotional campaign, or an award for your idea.

Effectiveness & Practicality: Explain how the innovation addresses a specific need or problem, and how practical it is in its implementation.

Scalability and Viability: Describe how the innovation can be scaled up and sustained over the long term.

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the Sustainability Award.

Nominee Details: Name, Contact Number, Email Address, Member Clubs/Class

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

You will be required to address the criteria as separate questions outlined above in the nomination criteria.

Inclusion Program of the Year

Nominations are sought from programs which have resulted in a positive contribution to sailing through inclusive engagement of disadvantaged groups to increase participation in sailing. Inclusion programs will be considered eligible if targeted at specific groups within the community which include (but not limited to); people with a disability, women and girls, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Consideration will be given to programs that have resulted in some or all of the following:
1. Increased participation in sailing, especially among women and girls, people with a disability, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
2. Established supportive environments for volunteering and community involvement.
3. Being inclusive and inspiring a change in behaviours and attitudes towards disadvantaged groups through sailing.
4. Shown a desire to fully integrate disadvantaged groups into club sailing and/or membership

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the Inclusion Program of the Year Award.

Nominee Details: Name of program

Nominee Photo: Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible), and if the award is nominating a person the nominee’s face should be clearly visible (avoid hats and sunglasses), with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed).

The below questions need to be addressed with your nomination:

Briefly describe the Program and why it has been nominated (100 words)

Demonstrate how the program increased participation, especially from one of the target groups, women and girls, people with a disability, CALD communities, refugees and newly arrived residents or aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. (500 words)

Provide participant numbers and if numbers have grown from previous years ( if program has been running for a number of years)

Participation retention rate (e.g. 80% of those enrolled attend every session)

How many participants carried on sailing by trying another program, course or became a member of the nearby sailing club?

Demonstrate how the program was inclusive and inspired a change in behaviours and attitudes towards disadvantaged groups through sailing. (500 words)

What makes the program unique and exceptional? (500 words)

What mechanisms and practices do you have in place which support volunteers involved in the program? (500 words)

Does your program have a review/feedback process? Yes/No

What does the program organiser/committee do with this information? (500 words)

Please provide any further information that would enhance the program (500 words)

Discover Sailing Centre of the Year

The judging panel will be looking at the following criteria;
1. Number of and type of Accredited programs
2. Number of participants put through these programs
3. Level of Compliance to DSC operating standards and guidelines
4. Conversion rates into further programs
5. Conversion of new participants into club membership
6. Description of club programs and how they map to the sailing pathway (I.e Green Fleet)
7. Demonstrated Growth of programs/number of participants from last year
8. Demonstrated Training and pathways for instructors and officials
9. Demonstrated Succession planning
10. Marketing strategies

Nominee must be a current Discover Sailing Centre.

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for Discover Sailing Centre of the Year.

Nominee Details: Centre Name

Programs delivered (collected by checkbox)

Participant numbers for 2021-22

What is your conversion rate into further programs?

What is your conversion rate into membership (if applicable)?

Please provide a description of your programs and how they map to the sailing pathway (i.e Green Fleet)

Please describe how you provide a training pathway for instructors and officials?

Please outline your succession plan for centre officials?

How has your Centre promoted itself and promoted sailing in the past year?

The below aims to summarise the questions asked when submitting a nomination for the Club of the Year award.

Club Name and State

Club representative contact information (so we can contact you regarding your nomination)

Commodore/ President's details (if different to the above)

Membership details
How many members did your club have in 2025-26?
What was the percentage growth in members from 2024-25 to 2025-26?

Participation
Please describe what programs, processes, or initiatives your club has implemented to GROW and retain participation numbers at your club? (2,000 character limit)

Events
Describe the main events hosted at your club during the 2025-26 season and any upcoming events you have planned for the next 12 months. How were these events designed to GROW and/or SUPPORT your membership base? (2,000 character limit).

Promotion
Please describe what promotional processes, campaigns, or initiatives your club has implemented to GROW community and membership engagement with your club? (2,000 character limit). Please upload images or documents as other evidence of how your club has promoted itself in the past year.

Workforce
Please describe what programs, processes, or initiatives your club has implemented to GROW and retain volunteer numbers at your club? (1,500 character limit)

Does your club actively SUPPORT members to gain the Australian Sailing qualifications under the Instructor, Coach or Officials programs? If yes, how? (1,500 character limit)

Governance
Please describe what policies, strategies and plans your club has implemented to ensure the ongoing development of good governance of your club? I.e., Strategic plan, Risk Management plan, Succession plan, Diversity & Inclusion policy, etc. (1,500 character limit)

Strategic Foundations
Please describe how your club has achieved success under one or more of the strategic foundations: Future Focus, Diversity and Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, Innovation, Safety and/or Partnerships. (2,000 character limit)

Club Photo
Nominees are required to attach image(s) here to be used in the promotion of your nomination should it be selected as a finalist.

The image should be in high resolution (approximately 2MB if possible) with appropriate lighting, no filters and should not have inappropriate behaviours depicted (E.g no alcohol being consumed)