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

It’s hard to believe we are already mid-way through 2025! The last couple of months have presented some highs and lows for our sailing community. We’ve seen many clubs celebrating the end of another successful sailing season with annual presentations, events and the commencement of winter training and racing programs.

Unfortunately, the recent floods in the mid-north coast region of New South Wales have devastated some of our sailing clubs. Our thoughts are with these clubs and their members, especially in the Taree area, which have suffered significant structure damage as well as the loss of boats and equipment. Australian Sailing will continue to work with the NSW Government to seek recovery support for these clubs and call out to the sailing community where required.  

Our Sailing Summit roadshows got underway in May, with the first event being held in the ACT at Canberra Yacht Club, and then at Port Kembla Sailing Club (NSW) the following week. Thank you to CYC and PKSC for their warm hospitality for the first of our 2025 Summits. June will be an exceptionally busy month for our team as we deliver the final three Sailing Summits back-to-back, with the Sydney Metro Sailing Summit on Saturday 14^th June, followed by Newcastle on 21^st June and Coffs Harbour on 28^th June. If you haven’t yet registered for one of our Sailing Summits, there is still time to come along and hear about some exciting updates and initiatives for clubs, and contribute to the future development of Sailing in Australia.  

Also in this update, we have some information about Youth Sailing, the NEW Officials Workshop, fundraising, upcoming courses and sailing events, and Sailing Awards.  

You can view club regatta reports via our News page on our website, and don’t forget to send in your own event reports to Australian Sailing to feature on our website – we thoroughly enjoy reading all about the various events across NSW & ACT!  

Sailing Summits

LAST CHANCE to register for one of our Sailing Summits!  

We have three remaining Sailing Summit events for 2025. Please register your attendance as soon as possible to assist our team and our host clubs prepare for each event. Sailing Summit events are free to attend.  

Sailing Summits are the perfect opportunity for representatives of Clubs, Class Associations and Discover Sailing Centres, to get together to share ideas, hear about the latest initiatives and updates from Australian Sailing, and have their say into the future of sailing in Australia. This year’s events will focus on Participation, Funding and Volunteering.  

Register here > 

Regional Advisory Committee Updates

Following the ACT Sailing Summit, the first ACT Regional Advisory Committee meeting was held. The committee is chaired by Peter Ottesen, with Chris Ablett, Juan Guerschman, Nicole Douglass, Sue Hart, and Eric Hines representing the three affiliated clubs in the Australian Capital Territory. The committee discussed and agreed upon the arrangements of the Regional Advisory Committee going forward, as well as issues in Team Sailing, and the hopeful resumption of the Canberra Yacht Club’s Buoyed up Program.  

The NSW Regional Advisory Committee is calling for nominations for Representatives to join the committee. Three (3) elected positions are vacant. The committee is calling for nominations for new members who are willing to contribute to the development of Sailing in NSW. The role of the committee is to help create a stronger sport, primarily by strengthening relationships between clubs and AS; both listening and understand clubs needs and communicating the role of AS and the services we provide. Further information > 

Youth Sailing Update

The Australian Sailing Board has confirmed Australia will return to the Youth Sailing World Championships (YSWC) in 2025 and in future editions. This follows a wide-ranging and exhaustive consultation process that engaged key stakeholders across our sport and community, including National Class Associations, Australian Sailing Youth Squad parents/carers, World Sailing, Australian Sailing Performance Pathways staff, Member Yachting Associations, Regional Advisory Committees and Affiliated Clubs who run youth coaching programs.  

Participation and youth strategies remain Australian Sailing’s key focus, including strong coaching programs within clubs and class associations, Youth Sail events and Youth Squad, giving more youth sailors access to age and stage appropriate initiatives at this critical time. The Australian Sailing Board has approved a model where re-entry to the YSWC can complement these existing programs.  

The selection policy for the YSWC, which will include the confirmed selection events, will be available on 1 July 2025. Youth Sail NSW, held in October at Lake Macquarie, will now be a selection event for multiple classes. Further information, including FAQ’s, about the YSWC and Youth Sail NSW is on our Australian Sailing Youth website.  

Youth Sailing NSW

Youth Sail NSW planning is progressing well, and we have received overwhelming interest already from clubs and class associations to support this year’s event at Toronto Amateur Sailing Club. We encourage families and clubs to work together to support all the sailors participating in the event.  

We have some great Sailing Coaches lined up once again to support the coaching clinic (1-3 Oct), and we are also seeking some additional coaches to keep up with the expected increase in participation this year. If your club has a coach who you think would be a great individual to attend and coach at Youth Sail NSW, please get in touch! Your club may wish to employ one of your coaches to stay on and support your members at the Youth Championship (4-6 Oct), following the coaching clinic.  

We are also looking for additional RIBs for the coaching clinic and green fleet program, for coaches who do not have access to their own boat. If you can support the event or your club coach with the supply of a RIB, please get in contact. A daily charter fee for the use of a RIB will be covered.   

Officials Workshop

Australian Sailing invites accredited officials and those interested in officiating to attend a 2025 Officials Workshop. These interactive workshops will bring together officials from all disciplines and are a great way to network with your peers, develop your officiating skills, and discuss best practice and recent developments. A focus of the event is developing mentoring capability to help current officials bring up the next generation of talented officials. Ashley Ross, internationally recognised mentor and coach developer, will facilitate these sessions.   

The NSW Officials Workshop will be held at Drummoyne Sailing Club on Sunday 20 July. Registration is free, but places are limited, and registration is required. Register here > 

Nominations Open for 2025 Australian Sailing Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2025 Australian Sailing State and National Awards, with the annual state events set to recognise clubs and members in all States and Territories for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the sailing community over the past year. We've made it easier than ever to nominate for an Award, with our helpful "Prepare your Nomination" page full of all the info you need to make sure your club's outstanding performances and contributors are recognised on the big stage.  

This year sees the introduction of the Innovation of the Year Award, which expands the criteria of the previous Sustainability Award to include the outstanding technology, sustainability, programs, products, boat design and concept advancements contributing to a more innovative sailing industry. 

Nominations close on 4 August. Please visit the Australian Sailing awards webpage to view all award criteria, what you need to submit a nomination, and how the state and national awards process works.  

The NSW & ACT Awards ceremony will be held on Saturday 20 September at St George Sailing Club.  

Fundraise for your Club this End of Financial Year!

As the End of Financial Year approaches, now is the perfect opportunity to create a fundraising campaign with the Australian Sports Foundation and ask your members and supporters to make a tax-deductible donation. The ASF allows clubs, teams and sailors to fundraise for new boats and equipment, sailing programs, club infrastructure redevelopment, and support for national and international competitions. 

ACTION ITEM FOR CLUBS: Set up a campaign with the Australian Sports Foundation and link to your RevSPORT site. Share your campaigns with members and supporters before End of Financial Year! 

Upcoming Training Courses

We have a number of Instructor, Coach and Official training courses scheduled. Spaces on these courses are limited, and we recommend registering early to avoid disappointment.  

• Regional / National Race Officer Course – St George Sailing Club – 26 & 27 July 2025 
• Judge Course – Expression of Interest 
• Umpire Course – Expression of Interest 
• Instructor one-day endorsement courses – Expression of Interest 

Please email nsw@sailing.org.au to submit your expression of interest. For further information: 

• Visit the Training Hub to become an Instructor or Coach
• Visit the Officials Hub to learn more about becoming a Race Officer, Judge, Umpire or Measurer 

Events Calendar

Upcoming Australian Sailing events: 

• Australian Sailing Officials Workshop / Sun 20 July / Drummoyne SC 
• NSW & ACT Sailing Awards / Sat 20 September / St George SC 
• Youth Sail NSW / Wed 1 – Mon 6 October / Toronto Amateur SC 

Upcoming club & class events: 

• East Coast Youth Championship / Sat 7 – Mon 9 June / Georges River SC 
• Brass Monkey Regatta / Sat 7 – Mon 9 June / Toukley SC 
• Captain John Piper Match Racing Regatta / Sat 12 – Sun 13 July / CYCA 
• Mick Hole One Design & Sports Boats Regatta / Sat 19 – Sun 20 July / RPAYC 
• Windsurfer Mid-Winter Championships / Sat 19 – Sun 20 July / Balmoral SC 
• Noakes Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race / Sat 26 July / CYCA 

You can view all upcoming sailing events via our NSW/ACT Event Calendar. View the full calendar here. 

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.  

Update your Club Contacts

Not Receiving Official AS Communications? When Flag Officers, committee members and management or administration staff change roles, your club account details need to be updated. Please keep this list up to date for your key personnel to stay informed. 

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