Australian Sailing is calling on passionate individuals with future focused vision for sailing to join a new Sailing Participation Plan Working Group (SPPWG) and help co-design the future of sailing participation in Australia.
As we head towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we are developing a bold new Participation Plan for Sailing in Australia, and we need innovative people from sailing and the community to help to make it happen. With ambitious targets outlined in our Strategic Plan of reaching 350,000 new participants and achieving gender equity in the sport by 2032, this participation plan will set the roadmap for how more people can sail, more often, in ways that reflect modern lifestyles and community needs.
Sailing, like many sports, is navigating significant change; shifts in how people engage with sport, evolving technologies, and increasing time pressures. But these challenges also present great opportunities. Working in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission and drawing on insights from recent Sailing Summits, club and participant surveys, and membership/ course data, the SPPWG will help co-design a plan to grow our sport in meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable ways.
About the Working Group
The Sailing Participation Plan Working Group will be a short-term advisory group (active from July to December 2025) and will:
- Review current participation data and consultation insights.
- Identify opportunities and challenges to future participation in sailing.
- Co-design the vision, goals and objectives of the Sailing Participation Plan.
- Provide strategic direction and advocate for the plan within the sailing community.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking Expressions of Interest from individuals who:
- Bring knowledge, expertise, and insights from within and beyond the sailing and sports sectors;
- Reflect the diversity of the Australian sailing community, now and into the future;
- Are enthusiastic about helping shape the future of participation in sailing;
- Can commit to attending approximately 3–5 meetings between July and December 2025.
We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals with experience in areas such as:
- Youth engagement and junior sailing programs
- School or university sport participation
- Marketing and communications (especially from outside the sailing sector)
- Discover Sailing Centre Principals or program deliverers
- Innovation and technology, including digital solutions or AI
- Commodores and General Managers as well as Volunteers
- New or returning participants as well as lifelong sailors
This is your chance to contribute to the future of sailing and the national participation plan to ensure that everyone can experience the joy of sailing regardless of age, background, gender, ability, or location.
Apply Now
EOIs to join the Sailing Participation Plan Working Group are now open and close on 6 July 2025.
