Leadership and development are at the heart of the Instructor of the Year finalists at the 2025 Australian Sailing Awards.

Three exemplary candidates Makenzie Mayne (NSW/ACT), Samantha Bailey (TAS) and Lucas James (VIC) are the finalists for the award where individuals demonstrate exceptional levels of self-development; and leadership of others in their development.

The nation’s peak sailing awards will be held at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney on Friday, November 14. 

The Finalists:

Makenzie Mayne (NSW/ACT)

Makenzie Mayne joined Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club in 2015 and progressed through Learn-to-Race, and then onto racing Sabots, Flying 11s, Pacers with her school, and now Cherubs at Lane Cove.

Makenzie started volunteering in late-2018 as an Assistant Instructor (aged 12), contributing over 100 volunteer hours in her first season and has helped instruct and mentor over 200 youngsters that join the Club each season for LTS, volunteering over 400 hours.

Makenzie was a lead instructor for LTS under a number of the Club’s senior Instructors starting in late 2023 and ran her first program as Head Instructor in December 2024. The latter saw her with responsibility for over 10 instructors and assistant instructors, and over 50 participants.

She manages Vaucluse 12ft SSC’s school coaching programs and school holiday camps in conjunction with managing the administration of these programs. She is also running Lane Cove 12ft SSC’s Winter F11 training program, and was recently seen back in a LTS Sabot helping junior racers perfect their starting techniques. 

Makenzie is uniquely qualified to assist and instruct young sailors. She is an accomplished sailor, and has developed into an excellent instructor.

Samantha Bailey (TAS)

Samantha undertakes her role at WYC covering all aspects of growing the sport through the WYC’s accreditation as an Australian Sailing (AS) Discover Sailing Centre.

Sam is the WYC’s Discover Sailing Principal, a role she has held for three years. The Discover Sailing Principal role ensures that instructors, governance and equipment meet the AS standards to train members and the community. 

Sam shows her commitment to WYC as a Director on the Board of the WYC, and sets the Start Sailing and Tackers program dates working in partnership with the Saturday Sailing Coach.

For the 2024-25 season Sam coordinated two Start Sailing, and two Tackers programs. These programs saw her volunteer over 64 hours delivering programs with the support of Assistant Instructors (AI) and safety boat crew.

Sam was able to identify five WYC members to become Assistant Instructors and then coordinated to hold a Dinghy AI course at Wynyard. This was a great outcome to have the program held at WYC, allowing the club to comply with the WYC’s child safe policy of not travelling alone with youth.

Mentoring and developing others to be of the same high standards that Sam shows ensure WYC’s future is in good hands for many years ahead.

Lucas James (VIC)

Lucas James is an exceptional young instructor who exemplifies the values and spirit of Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron and Australian Sailing. Since becoming a qualified Dinghy Instructor, Lucas has consistently demonstrated leadership, maturity, and a commitment to continuous learning. 

Beginning as an Assistant Instructor at BYS in 2021, Lucas has grown into a key member of the Club’s instructional team, delivering programs across juniors, youth, and adults.

Lucas works with both beginner and advanced sailors, ranging from young Tackers and Minnow sailors to more experienced ILCA and Sabre racers.

In the 2024–25 season, Lucas served as a Lead Instructor for BYS’s Youth Sailing Program supporting ILCA and Sabre sailors, oversaw training for the Minnow fleet at the 2025 Youth State Championships, and supported the ‘Out There Sailing’ initiative. He has also delivered adult learn-to-sail sessions and is actively contributing to the refinement of BYS’s instructional programs for the upcoming season.

Lucas was selected to participate in the prestigious 2025 Australian Sailing Coach Development Program (Victoria Pilot Program), where he is mentored by Olympic coach Amelia Catt.

Lucas continues to race competitively in ILCA6, ILCA7, and Aero7 classes at local, state, and national levels. He believes that staying active in the sport is critical to staying relevant as an instructor and coach. He has also instructed at Albert Sailing Club, Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club, Scotch College, and through the Victorian Laser Association—broadening his understanding of Victoria’s sailing culture.