Sail Our Way Case Study: Mordialloc Sailing Club

Club: Mordialloc Sailing Club
Location: Victoria
Contact: msc@mordiallocsc.com.au

About the project

Mordialloc Sailing Club brought women and girls together for two evening workshops in June, creating a space to learn, connect and explore ways to strengthen female participation in sailing at the club. 

The workshops were developed in consultation with female members, with topics selected around the areas they were most interested in. Participants ranged from new trainees through to experienced sailors, while invitations were also extended to neighbouring sailing clubs.

The first workshop, held on 12 June 2026, was led by two-time Olympian and sports physiotherapist Krystal Weir. The session focused on physical fitness, strength and wellbeing to support sailing and other water-based activities throughout different stages of the female life cycle, combining discussion with practical exercises.

The second workshop, held on 19 June 2026, was facilitated by experienced sailing coach and PE teacher Mel Hitchen-Haw. The interactive session explored confidence-building and technical skill development before participants worked together to identify future opportunities to support and promote women and girls in sailing locally.

Both evenings also included time for participants to connect and socialise over food and refreshments, with eight club volunteers supporting the delivery of the project.

Participation

• Workshop 1 – 18 registered, 15 attended
• Workshop 2 – 17 registered, 14 attended

Most participants were Mordialloc Sailing Club members, with representation also coming from Mordialloc Motor Yacht Club, Carrum Sailing and Motor Boat Club and Chelsea Yacht Club, helping build connections between women from neighbouring clubs.

Outcomes and impact

The workshops gave women and girls an opportunity to come together, to foster a sense of camaraderie and offered new learnings to energise and inspire.  

Importantly, discussions during the second workshop led to plans for an ongoing monthly women’s and girls’ group at Mordialloc Sailing Club, aimed at continuing to grow and strengthen female participation and engagement within the club.

Participants also expressed interest in developing a Longbeach sailing clubs women’s regatta, creating the potential for further collaboration between Mordialloc and neighbouring dinghy sailing clubs.

How the funding helped

Sail Our Way funding primarily enabled Mordialloc Sailing Club to engage Krystal Weir and Mel Hitchen-Haw as expert facilitators for the two workshops.

Remaining funding supported catering for both sessions and the professional printing of promotional posters, helping the club create a welcoming environment and raise awareness of the workshops.

Lessons learned

The workshops were well received by participants and strongly promoted within Mordialloc Sailing Club, which was the project’s primary target audience.

For future activities, the club identified an opportunity to allow more lead time for promotion to neighbouring sailing clubs, helping extend the reach of similar initiatives and encourage greater participation from across the local sailing community.