Four Finalists for Sports Professional of the Year
Four worthy finalists will be recognised in the Sport Professional category for positively contributing to sailing in areas including instructing, coaching, officiating, management and administration at the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards.
Chelsea Hall (WA), Jacqueline Ellis (NSW/ACT), Colleen Darcey (TAS) and Gemma Burns (VIC) are all in the running for the award.
The nation’s peak sailing awards will be held at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on Friday, November 14.
FINALISTS:
Chelsea Hall (WA)
Chelsea is a driving force within the WA sailing and training community, serving as the DSC Principal at Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC). A highly experienced sailor herself, she brings her expertise as an instructor and coach to both beginners and advanced fleets across dinghy, keelboat, and windsurfing disciplines, and has helped coach some of WA's most advanced fleets.
As project leader for several key events, Chelsea has created a lasting impact. Most notably, she led the 2025 Great Southern Regatta and Clinic, attracting 31 youth sailors from across the Great Southern, South West, and Perth Metro areas, and even as far afield as Tasmania. With six coaches working alongside her, Chelsea delivered high-level training and development to both sailors and support staff.
She also spearheaded the Princess Royal Sailing Club Green Fleet Coaching Clinic in Albany, training 17 regional sailors and upskilling 13 coaches and volunteers, and sharing fresh, practical methods to engage and grow local fleets.
She was a key presenter at the 2025 Sailing Summit at East Fremantle Yacht Club, speaking to over 50 attendees on how to boost participation at DSCs using effective, hands-on strategies.
A passionate advocate for women in sailing, Chelsea is the force behind the "Girls to the Front" initiative – an RFBYC-nominated program under the SheSails category. Her commitment to inclusion and gender equity is matched by her broader vision for long-term participation in the sport.
More than just her accomplishments, Chelsea is known for her infectious positivity, collaborative spirit, and unwavering "can-do" attitude. She fosters community, builds networks, and inspires others with her belief that sailing is not just a sport, but a lifelong passion.
Jacqueline Ellis (NSW/ACT)
Jacqueline demonstrates outstanding leadership, professionalism, and contribution to the delivery of sailing programs at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC).
Her management of the club’s Sailing Academy has had a profound and measurable impact on participation, retention, and the quality of sailing experiences delivered to the community.
As Sailing Development Manager, Jacqueline oversees every aspect of the club’s accredited Discover Sailing Centre operations. She manages a team of approximately 30 casual instructors and ensures the consistent and safe delivery of courses to all ages and skill levels.
Her calm and capable leadership, attention to detail, and strong organisational skills allow the academy to deliver high-quality programs at scale without compromising on participant experience.
Under Jacqueline’s guidance, NCYC achieved remarkable results including; ranking first in Australia for Keelboat program participation, fourth nationally for Tackers, fifth nationally for OutThere Sailing and the second busiest Discover Sailing Centre in Australia by total participation.
These figures are the result of Jacqueline’s thoughtful planning, high operational standards, and consistent efforts to ensure every session is well-prepared, professionally delivered, and welcoming for new sailors.
Recognising the gap between learn-to-sail programs and club racing participation, Jacqueline introduced a structured transition pathway for academy graduates. This program gives learners the chance to step onto larger yachts and prepare for club racing in a supported environment.
Her work has directly contributed to making NCYC one of the most successful participation centres in Australia, while building a strong and sustainable future for sailing in the region.
Colleen Darcey (TAS)
As former Sailing Operations Manager and now Vice Commodore of the Derwent Sailing Squadron (DSS), Colleen has been instrumental in shaping a more connected, welcoming, and resilient Tasmanian sailing community.
Her influence reaches across all levels of Squadron activity. From relaxed twilight series to major offshore regattas, Colleen has ensured events are not only well-executed but inclusive and engaging. Her calm, collaborative leadership has fostered an environment where sailors of all backgrounds and experience levels feel encouraged to participate, and where volunteers are empowered and appreciated.
In addition to overseeing more than 40 individual race events annually, Colleen played a central role in delivering two of Tasmania’s flagship events, the 2024 Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race and the 2025 King of the Derwent Yacht race.
Colleen was the lead sailing administrator who delivered the successful 2025 Australian Yachting Championships on behalf of Australian Sailing. Her work across planning, logistics, stakeholder engagement, and volunteer coordination helped ensure both events were professionally run and deeply rooted in community spirit.
Her commitment to participation extends well beyond race management. As the driving force behind DSS’s club-based training program, Colleen has helped hundreds of people find their way into the sport, especially women, young sailors, and newcomers. Her quiet mentorship and tireless advocacy have made sailing more accessible and welcoming for all.
She is also a champion for Tasmania’s sailing heritage. Through her leadership in preserving and promoting the Derwent Class, one of the state’s most enduring one-design fleets, Colleen continues to connect past and present. Her work organising annual regattas, curating stories, and engaging the broader community ensures this unique class remains relevant and alive for future generations.
Gemma Burns (VIC)
Gemma is an exceptional sports professional whose contribution to sailing at Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) and within the broader Australian sailing community has been impactful and wide-reaching.
As the Boating and J/70 Coordinator at SYC, Gemma has played a pivotal role in creating and driving programs that have significantly increased participation, supported emerging talent, and built a vibrant, connected community among young sailors.
Gemma leads SYC’s J/70 program, a dynamic, multi-layered offering that includes social sailing, development opportunities, a dedicated Youth Squad, and an Advanced-level Program. Now in its third season, the program has gone from strength to strength under her guidance. Managing over 30 athletes year-round, Gemma supports the development of these young sailors both on and off the water, helping them transition into keelboat sailing and grow into confident, collaborative team members.
Through her leadership, the J/70 program has become a key pillar at SYC and has increased engagement with members aged 18 to 35. Gemma has played an essential part in attracting and retaining this demographic, which has led to a noticeable increase in regular sailing activity and involvement in club life. During her time in the role, SailPass membership has grown by 25% – a direct outcome of her initiative to promote the J/70s as an accessible and fun way for young sailors to participate in the club’s Summer Thursday Twilight series.
Gemma’s impact extends well beyond day-to-day programming. As a highly active member of the SYC Boating Office, she helps deliver a high volume of club, state, and national regattas and events. She is also a Senior Instructor accredited by Australian Sailing in both keelboat and dinghy disciplines, and plays a key role in mentoring the next generation of instructors.
This year, she introduced a winter upskilling initiative for young members, offering both sailing and powerboat development opportunities – programs she designed and organised to keep the young members engaged and active at the club during the winter.
