Three clubs that have each grown their membership by around 30 per cent are competing for Club of the Year (Category B) at the 2026 Australian Sailing Awards. 

Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club (SA), Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club (QLD) and Sandy Bay Sailing Club (TAS) have all had outstanding seasons. 

The Club of the Year Award is split into two categories (Category A and Category B) in all States except Tasmania. The split allows clubs to be recognised and celebrated for their contribution to the sailing community regardless of size. 

The clubs in the running will be judged on their contribution to the Australian Sailing Strategic Pillars of Grow, Support, Win and the six strategic foundations of: Future Focus, Diversity and Inclusion, Environmental Sustainability, Innovation, Safety and Partnerships. 

The nation’s peak sailing awards will be held at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour on Friday, October 30. 

The Finalists: 

Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club 

Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club grew its membership by 30.5% in 2025–26, from 410 to 535 members, through strong participation pathways and an inclusive club culture. 

Its Youth Teams Sailing Program, built through partnerships with local secondary schools, added 20 junior members and brought new families to the club. GRYC hosted the State, National and Interdominion Teams Sailing Championships, each with around 200 junior sailors, along with the Sailability State Championships, the Women’s Short-Course Regatta and the Goolwa-Milang Regatta Weekend. 

Since embracing SheSails around 2018, GRYC has seen women progress from introductory sailing to regular racing, club membership, leadership and boat ownership, with newcomers deliberately matched with experienced female skippers. 

Formalising a Volunteer Coordinator role on the General Committee has built a pool of more than 100 regular volunteers, supported by public recognition and club-funded training. While an online Crew Bank connects skipperslooking for crew, with people wanting to get involved in sailing, removing one of the most common barriers to participation and providing a simple pathway into racing and club life. 

The club adopted its Strategic Plan 2026–2036 with three key pillars: Volunteers & Club Culture, Membership Growth & Youth Pathways, and Facilities & Infrastructure.  

The Committee also adopted a formal Inclusion Statement in 2026, setting a clear course for the future, providing a safe, fun and inclusive environment for all members, volunteers and participants. 

Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club regularly has articles published in local newspapers to share news about our major events, celebrations and volunteer achievements. They advertise their own events and share other Clubs' news on theirFacebook page to grow viewership and create a strong sailing community.  

Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club 

Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club grew its membership by 31% to 366 members in 2025–26, while cementing its reputation for running professionally managed regattas. 

Across the season the club hosted five open regattas and eight class events, including the MG14 and Sabre National Championships and the Paper Tiger NZ vs Australia series, attracting more than 470 entries in total. Regatta income, around 30% of the club’s total revenue, is reinvested to subsidise learn to sail and youth programs, upgrade facilities and train volunteers. 

LCSC restructured itslearn to sail activities around its Discover Sailing Centre, purchasing Tacker Optis, appointing an experienced Discover Sailing Principal as well as forming strategic alliances with other clubs including Noosa to offer a pathway into dinghy racing.  

The Club has focused on retaining youngsters this past season by encouraging parental involvement through education and club volunteer roles, offering tailored pathways for learners who have completed the formal courses to develop them as racers to offering supervised casual sailing in club owned boats for the kids who are not as competitive 

New membership types, a new Promotions Officer, a Social Secretary and a Volunteer Coordinator on the executive have broadened participation, while 12 practical measures, from free training to better-equipped RIBs, support the volunteers who run everything from on-water support to the bar. 

With a strengthened governance and safety framework, the club is planning a busy 2026–27 including the Heron and Weta Nationals and ILCA State Championships. 

Sandy Bay Sailing Club 

Sandy Bay Sailing Club grew its membership by 30% to 400 members in 2025–26, recording its highest total membership since 2018. 

A redesigned Green Fleet program doubled participation to 30 sailors, the largest cohort in recent club history, with 10 Green Fleet sailors making their Pennant racing debut. A new Cadet Learn to Sail pathway achieved 50% female participation, while all five Adult Learn to Sail courses sold out. 

Sail Our Way Discover Sailing Days, Social Pizza Nights and Come and Try sessions in WASZPs and 29ers introduced new participants to sailing in a welcoming, low-barrier environment. 

SBSC hosted the largest-ever Australian Secondary Schools Teams Sailing Championships, with 26 teams including a record seven girls’ teams, as well as the Australian 29er National Championship. It will host the 2026 International Cadet Australian Championship, with Green Fleet Cadet sailors progressing into the Cadet class to become part of the home fleet. 

Grants through Sail Our Way and Her Path to Play are growing participation for women and girls, while free safety boat training, a volunteer buddy system and a long-established Junior Committee support the club’s volunteer-run culture. 

The Club consistently uses Facebook, Instagram, member newsletters, a WhatsApp community, and their website to promote courses, coaching, racing, social events and member achievements. Celebrating member success and volunteer contributions has helped foster a strong sense of pride and belonging while showcasing SBSC as a welcoming and active club. 

A comprehensive business review has also strengthened governance and financial oversight, returning the club to a surplus, creating a stable platform for continued investment in participation, volunteers, facilities and the club's long-term future.