The latest updates from Australian Sailing NSW/ACT General Manager - Niall Powers

Please click this click to find all past NSW/ACT General Managers Updates. 

General Update

Welcome to the August update from the NSW & ACT Club Support team.  

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to one of our Sailing Summits. It has been a busy few months delivering these regional ‘roadshow’ events and meeting with many club representatives. We have thoroughly enjoyed conversing with new and familiar faces in our Sailing community and engaging in follow up conversations after the Summits to implement new ideas and solutions. If you couldn’t make it to one of our Sailing Summits, you can find the presentations online here, and we hope you can join us in 2026.  

In July we held our first Officials Workshop. 30 race officials and representatives from clubs across NSW and ACT attended. Guest speaker Ashley Ross led the workshop, aimed at developing mentoring capability to help current officials bring up the next generation of officials in clubs. Thank you also to David Staley (MHYC) for delivering a presentation about fostering an inclusive environment at events.   

Also in this update, we have some information and key dates for the Sailing Awards, Zhik Youth Sail NSW, the Office of Sports Local Sport Grant Program, and a reminder about the new Australian Sailing Learning Centre.  

The NSW & ACT Sailing Awards

Nominations have now closed for the NSW & ACT Sailing Awards. Thank you to all clubs and individuals who have submitted nominations. Our NSW & ACT Regional Advisory Committee members will be commencing the judging process soon and finalists will be announced in due course.  

The NSW & ACT Sailing Awards presentation will be held at St George Sailing Club on Saturday 20^th September. Tickets will be available here.  

State award winners will be automatically nominated for the Australian Sailing National Awards, to be held later in the year at the National Maritime Museum (Sydney) on Friday 14^th November.  

NSW Regional Advisory Committee Update

The NSW Regional Advisory Committee is pleased to welcome three new committee members, following the calls for nominations in May. Lisa Callaghan (Manly Yacht Club), Paddy Butler (Vincentia Sailing Club) and Tony Sutton (Batemans Bay Sailing Club) join returning committee members Hugh Tait (Chair), Laurie Hoffman and Michael Lindsay.  

Zhik Youth Sail NSW

Wednesday 1^st to Monday 6^th October 2025 

Online entry is now available for Zhik Youth Sail NSW 2025, hosted by Toronto Amateur Sailing Club!  

Zhik Youth Sail is for sailors under 23 years of age, and open to several junior and youth off the beach classes. The regatta is focussed on growing participation in junior and youth classes, increasing sailors’ skills, fostering social connection, and building friendship and community between our youth sailors. 

The Coaching Clinic will consist of 3 days of training from some of the best Sailing Coaches in NSW & ACT, and a guest speaker presentation from Australian Olympic sailor Zoe Thomson. Zoe represented Australia at the Paris Olympics in the ILCA 6, and will be sharing her sailing story and experience of competing at an international level. Places in the Coaching Clinic are limited – we recommend sailors enter early to avoid missing out on this fantastic opportunity.  

Key dates to remember! 

• Coaching Clinic registration closes on 17^th September, unless sold out prior.  
• Early registration (with $100 discount) for Youth Championship and Green Fleet closes on 21^st September
• Late registration fee applies from 22^nd September 

Local Sport Grant Program

The NSW Office of Sport is currently accepting applications for the Local Sport Grant Program. This grant program aims to support grassroots sporting clubs to increase participation, host events, improve access and enhance sport and recreation facilities. Interested clubs should read the program guidelines in detail and prepare a thorough application early.  

Applications for the Local Sport Grant Program close 1pm Monday 18^th August 2025. Successful applicants will be informed from February 2026, and projects must be completed by September 2027. Learn more here >  

Major Incident Reports

Two major incident reports have been published on the Australian Sailing website.

Sydney Harbour Twilight Inquiry 
Australian Sailing has published the findings of the Sydney Harbour Friday Twilight Inquiry. Recommendations in the report address matters concerning communication and co-ordination between Sailing Clubs (Sydney Harbour), emergency responses, sailing rules, Australian Sailing review of sailing infrastructure, and Category 7 requirements.  

Australian Sailing is currently considering the recommendations that concern matters within the scope of its responsibilities.  

Rolex Sydney Hobart 2024 Report 
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) has published the full independent review report into the three incidents in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Australian Sailing is working through the recommendations made by the report, and encourages clubs to consider relevant recommendations made by the committee.  

NEW Australian Sailing Learning Centre

Have you visited the NEW Australian Sailing Learning Centre?  

The Australian Sailing Learning Centre is your go-to hub for education and training. It provides clubs, associations, members, volunteers, administrators, instructors, coaches and officials with access to a comprehensive range of free online courses. Developed by Australian Sailing, the Australian Sports Commission and Sport Integrity Australia, these courses support learning and development across all sections of the sailing community.  

Not only does the new eLearning Centre feature courses for Instructors, Coaches and Race Officials, but there are also several training modules for Club and Class Association management. Courses include Safety & Risk Management, Safeguarding Recruitment and Screening, Organisational Culture and Governance Training, Induction Training for Discover Sailing Centre administrators, and Powerboat Essential Skills.   

Events Calendar

Upcoming Australian Sailing NSW & ACT events…. 

• NSW & ACT Sailing Awards / Sat 20 September / St George SC 
• Youth Sail NSW / Wed 1 – Mon 6 October / Toronto Amateur SC 

You can view all upcoming Club and Class sailing events on the NSW and ACT webpages.  

ACTION ITEM FOR CLUBS: Add your events to the calendar! Contact nsw@sailing.org.au for information on how to add your events to the calendar.  

Updating your Club Contacts

Not receiving official Australian Sailing club communications? Please keep your list of club officials (administration staff, flag officers, club representatives) up to date for your key personnel to stay informed with Australian Sailing updates.  

ACTION ITEM FOR CLUBS: Check your club’s contact details in the account details section of revSPORT and add your Organisation Officials.