Women's Sailing Charter

Australian Sailing invites Clubs and Class Associations across the country to join us in creating a more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment for women and girls in sailing.

By becoming a signatory to the Women’s Sailing Charter, your club makes a public commitment to support gender equity and increase women’s participation and leadership in our sport.

The Charter provides a flexible framework based on five key pillars from our national Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy. Whether you're a small regional club or a large metropolitan one, you can tailor your approach to suit your capacity, community and goals, taking small steps or bold ones, at your own pace.

Our Five Pillars of Commitment

1) Environment

We will foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming culture for women and girls at our club.
Encourage respectful behaviour
Create family-friendly, supportive environments
Promote male allyship

2) Connection & Participation

We will explore ways to grow participation and engagement of women and girls in sailing.
Run inclusive and beginner-friendly programs
Offer flexible and affordable options
Use targeted outreach to engage new participants

3) Visibility & Celebration

We will highlight and celebrate the contributions of women and girls in our club.
Share stories and images that inspire
Celebrate milestones and achievements
Promote female role models right across the sailing community

4) Education & Awareness

We will promote a culture of respect, understanding and continuous learning.
Share learning resources with members
Use inclusive language and gender-aware policies
Raise awareness of equity principles at all levels of the club

5) Leadership

We will support women in leadership and decision-making roles at our club.
Encourage balanced representation on committees
Support pathways into instructing, coaching, officiating, and governance

How Your Club Benefits

The Women’s Sailing Charter is more than a pledge - it’s an investment in the future of your club. Benefits include:

Increased Participation - Attract more women and girls to your club by creating welcoming, inclusive entry points into sailing. A more diverse and vibrant membership base benefits everyone.
Improved Retention -Women and girls are more likely to stay involved when they feel supported, respected, and seen. A positive culture strengthens your community and volunteer base.
Stronger Reputation -Being a signatory shows that your club is progressive, inclusive, and aligned with the values of equity and fairness — helping attract new members, sponsors, and volunteers.
Access to Tools and Resources - Clubs receive practical tools, templates, case studies and SheSails promotional resources to make implementation easy and effective.
Support from Australian Sailing - You won’t be doing this alone. Our team is here to provide guidance and celebrate your progress every step of the way.
Join a National Movement -Be part of a growing network of clubs across Australia championing gender equity

Why Sign up to the Charter?

By agreeing to the Women’s Sailing Charter, you’re making a commitment to:

Advance gender equity in sailing
Create a culture where women and girls feel welcomed, supported, and seen
Be part of a national movement to transform sailing for future generations

Australian Sailing will support your club with:

Ready-to-use checklists and templates
Case studies and examples from other clubs
Recognition of your work on the Australian Sailing website
Access to SheSails resources and national campaigns
Ongoing support and advice from our Grow and Local Club Support Teams

Ready to Get Involved?

Every club’s journey toward gender equity looks different. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to lead the way, we’re here to help.

If you want your Club to become a signatory to the Women's Sailing Charter, click the Expression of Interest Form below.

Women's Sailing Charter - Expression of Interest