Dear Club official,

In January this year, Australian Sailing commenced a review of the National Banded Fee Structure for Affiliation Fees. The purpose of the review was to:

- Review the fee structure and consider whether it has met its objectives
- Identify improvements that contribute to better equity, transparency and simplicity
- Identify any impediments for achieving full national implementation by 2022

A working group was convened by the AS Board and a short survey was sent to Clubs which has helped inform the working group in its deliberations.

The working group comprised: Garry Langford (AS board, Chair), Alistair Murray (AS Vice President), Mark Nicholas (YWA President), Kim Lawrence (YQLD board), Todd Anderson (RQYS board), Mark Welsh (Sandringham YC board), Karen Baldwin (Fremantle SC CEO), David Harries (South of Perth YC GM) and David Edwards (AS Chief Operating Officer).

The outcome of the review is that some specific changes have been recommended in respect of the current structure. The key outcomes of the review include:
• The total amount of fees will be no greater than the previous version of the structure
• The “implied fee” formula has been replaced with a simplified “implied ranking” system to help better allocate clubs to bands with their peers
• Ranking of clubs in bands 13 to 22 is based on membership ranges (72% of clubs who responded to the survey supported this)
• Subjective criteria for assisting with allocation of clubs to bands is now better defined
• All club Band allocations have been reviewed and reassessed. There have been movements of clubs both up and down to better allocate clubs with peer clubs nationally
• All new club fees will have a 10% discount from the published band amount to assist the transition to the revised structure
• The review mechanism for hardship remains unchanged
• A national guide will be published for clubs to explain the structure, address FAQ’s and assist clubs to understand the Band allocation process and the review process

The revised National Banded Fee Structure, incorporating the above recommendations, has been accepted by the Australian Sailing Board and has been recommended to MYA Boards (where relevant) for acceptance.

As referenced above, the Affiliation Fees for 2021/22 will be discounted from the band fee by 10%.

Due to the substantial impact of Covid related restrictions, Victorian Clubs will receive an additional 10% fee relief in 2021/22.

For these changes to take effect, the fees are required to be approved at the Yachting Victoria Half Yearly Meeting. A separate Notice of Meeting will be sent to Clubs anticipating the Half yearly AGM will be held at the club conference on 22 August.

Invoices for fees will be sent to Clubs following the Half Yearly Meeting. Similar to last year, Clubs will have the option to pay by instalments. Invoices for fees will be sent to clubs following the Half Yearly Meeting. Similar to last year, clubs will have the option to pay by instalments.

The appeals process for misallocation or hardship remains unchanged and can be accessed from the AS website. 

Please contact Meaghan Densley in the first instance if you have any queries.

Regards
David Edwards
Chief Operating Officer