Nominations Open for 2026 Australian Sailing State and National Awards

Nominations are now open for the 2026 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.

The Australian Sailing Awards are the peak awards for the sport of sailing in Australia and will act as a national celebration of sailing and its significance at a local, state, and national level.

Nominations will first be judged for their relevant State Awards, with the winners set to be announced throughout September. The winning nominations from the State Awards will then be put forward as nominees to the judging panel of the National Australian Sailing Awards, with national winners to be announced at the Australian Sailing Awards and Hall of Fame Inductions Dinner in Sydney on Friday 30 October. So, to be in the running for the National Awards you must submit a nomination for your State or Territory Awards as per the timings below.

Key dates for this year’s process include:

• Nominations open: Monday 1 June – Monday 3 August
• State Winners announced: September
• National Finalists announced: Monday 28 September
• National Winners announced: Friday 30 October

Nominees will be judged for their achievements over the nomination performance period, which is 4 August 2025 to 2 August 2026 for both State and National Awards. 

Visit the Prepare your nomination page for all the information you will need to collate your nominations, including the criteria for each award category.

We look forward to honouring individuals, groups and clubs with all manner of involvement in the sailing community, from our hard-working volunteers, through to inspiring performances from Australian sailors on the international stage.

Nominations are now open and will close at 11:59pm AEST on Monday 3 August 2026.

Nominate now for the following categories:

Performance Award Categories

• Male Sailor of the Year
• Female Sailor of the Year
• Para Sailor of the Year
• Youth Sailor of the Year
• Team of the Year
• Coach of the Year

Club Award Categories

• Club of the Year (Category A)
• Club of the Year (Category B)
• Instructor of the Year
• Official of the Year
• Volunteer of the Year

Sport Award Categories

• Lifetime Achievement Award
• SheSails Award
• Sport Professional Award
• Sport Promotion Award
• Innovation Award

Save the Date - State Sailing Awards

• NSW/ACT - Saturday 19 September (Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron)
• QLD - Friday 11 September (Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron)
• SA - Friday 18 September (Adelaide Sailing Club)
• TAS - Saturday 12 September (Maritime Museum Tasmania)
• VIC - Friday 11 September (Sandringham Yacht Club)
• WA - Friday 11 September (Fremantle Sailing Club)