Australian Sailing would like to extend its most sincere gratitude and thanks Daniel Belcher, who finished his time as President of the governing body for the sport of sailing at the most recent Annual General Meeting.

Daniel served on the Board from 2014 and was in the role of President from 2019. His three years at the helm coincided with some of the most challenging times in the history of our sport, as our clubs and members battled with the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I have enjoyed working with Daniel immensely on the Board of Australian Sailing and he leaves the organisation in a very strong state, with a Board I am proud to be a part of and a management team and staff structure that is truly world’s best in our sport,” said current Australian Sailing President, Alistair Murray AM.

Over his three years as President, Belcher and his Board worked with clubs to ensure their survival whilst also delivering a new 10-year corporate strategy, and new High Performance strategy and an overall growth in club membership numbers.

“Daniel’s legacy will be in the 10-year roadmap he has set for the sport through SAILING 2032,” said Australian Sailing CEO Ben Houston.

“Through some very challenging circumstances he ensured we were focused firstly on supporting our clubs, then on securing the long-term future of the sport through that strategy. On behalf of Australian Sailing we thank him for his significant contribution to sailing in Australia, his insight and vision will be missed.”

Belcher managed the role of President whilst serving the sport in his myriad other ways including his roles as Chairman of High-Performance Advisory Committee, Secretary-General of Oceania Sailing Federation, Member of World Sailing Council, Member of World Sailing Events Committee and Chairman of World Sailing Quota and Qualification.

Australian Sailing thanks Daniel for his contribution and wishes him fair winds.