News
General Manager - ACT/NSW Monthly Update September 2021
Published Fri 03 Sep 2021
COVID-19
On 31st August the NSW Office of Sport hosted a meeting for representatives from all sports and the Minister for Sport Natalie Ward MLC. Unfortunately the Minister did not have any news for us on when we can resume organised sport, or what the rules will look like post lockdown.
The most positive thing we can all do to get back on the water is to get vaccinated (if/when you are eligible), as the strong message coming from the NSW Government is that fully vaccinated people will have greater freedoms when we hit 70% vaccinated.
Can I go Sailing?
Sailing and powerboating are recognised as allowed forms of exercise and recreation as long as you observe the rules around social gathering, physical distancing and mask wearing:
- A maximum of two people can go boating together, or more if they are all members of the same household.
- You must stay within the Local Government Area you live in (or the water adjacent to your LGA), or if going into a neighbouring LGA, no further than 5 kilometres from your home.
- In the Areas of Concern, a maximum of two people can only travel up to 5kms from their homes for exercise including sailing. To calculate 5km from your home, enter your address into the map on this page.
- Get in, go sailing, go home; keep your distance from others at your club, marina or boat ramp.
- Do not carpool with anyone outside your family
- Masks must be worn at all times, except when exercising.
Can Clubs run sailing racing and training?
No. Community sport is currently not permitted. This includes any racing or training activities ie club organised coaching or Learn-To-Sail programs.
For more information see the Australian Sailing NSW COVID information page where there are links to the latest information from the Office of Sport, the NSW Government and NSW Maritime.
The latest ACT COVID Information is on the ACT Information page
In the meantime, thank you so much to all clubs and sailors for your patience and thanks for abiding by the rules and enjoying sailing for exercise and recreation where you can.
Instructor Professional Development
This year the NSW/ACT Instructor Conference was held over 6 Wednesday Webinars – the recordings and additional material is here
Webinars
To keep members engaged we are running the following webinars
- Olympic Webinar Series – A chat with some of our coaches, athletes and officials starting on 7th September – register here
- SheSails Webinar – Start Lines and Courses on 7th September – register here
- Wednesday Webinars – Rules and Protests – 3 webinars starting on 8th September – register here
- SheSails National Conference – This is our first national conference for women sailors on 6th October – more information here
- Club Race Officer Course – Now a free online 3.5 hours course, held every second month – register here for the 11th October course
- We also have several online courses that you can complete at your own pace
It’s great to see clubs running their own online events to stay in touch with their members - trivia nights, informative and entertaining talks, cooking lessons, wine tasting, exercise lessons and informal member catch ups.
RevSPORT
Gemma, Craig and I have been running a lot of Teams meetings with clubs helping them learn more about how revSPORT can lighten the workload for your staff and volunteers. Assisting clubs to set up online membership forms, set up SailPass, maintain their websites and manage their membership rollover.
Please get in touch with one of us if you would like to set up an online meeting to assist your club with revSPORT.
Club Contacts
Not Receiving Official AS Communications?
When Flag Officers change roles your club account details need to be updated, without key contact details, Australian Sailing cannot contact the right people
Awards
Thank you to all members and clubs who took the time to nominate their members for an award. The Regional Advisory Committee has now finalised their voting and winners will be announced in mid September. There will not be an Awards Presentation function this year, awards will be presented in person at members’ clubs when we are able to meet face to face.
Grants
Greater Cities Sport Facilities Fund
The NSW Government has committed $50 million to the Greater Cities Sport Facility Fund over two-years, helping create spaces and facilities that enable communities to enjoy and take part in sport. The details are here
Regional Sport Facilities Fund
The NSW Government has committed $50 million to the Regional Sport Facility Fund over two-years, helping create spaces and facilities that enable communities to enjoy and take part in sport. The details are here
Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program
The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program allocates $4 million over four years to assist sporting clubs across NSW in the purchase and maintenance of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs). The details are here
Please contact Emma Humphries if your club is applying for any of these grants and needs a letter of support.
Child Safety
Child Safety information from the Office of the Children’s Guardian that was to be presented at our club conference in July, is available here
SheSails
SheSails is designed to recognise all of the amazing female contributors to our sport, and to encourage women of all ages to enjoy sailing through organised activities at your local sailing club. In NSW and ACT we have a wonderful network of SheSails Representatives from a handful of clubs that meet to network and work together to promote women in our sport. If you have a club or board member championing this at your club, we would love them to be part of the group! Contact Gemma for more information, or complete the SheSails Rep application form here
The inaugural World Sailing Women’s Sailing Festival “Steer the Course” will be held from 1st – 10th October. We would love your club to be included. Please contact Gemma for more information or see more information here
Craig, Gemma and I are working from home and available to answer your queries by phone or to meet via Teams online. The phone numbers below go to our mobiles.
Emma Humphries
Regional Manager - NSW/ACT
Direct Phone: (02) 9170 6926
Craig Ferris
Club Services Officer - NSW/ACT
Direct Phone: (02) 9170 6906
Gemma Burns
Club Services Officer - NSW/ACT
Direct Phone: (02) 9170 6924
