An update from Australian Sailing's Queensland Regional Manager - Ben Callard

Please click this link to find a copy of all the Queensland Regional Managers Updates to date

1. 2032 Brisbane Olympics – Leverage Opportunities

Dear Sailing Clubs and Class Associations,

The announcement of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics is extremely exciting and paves the way for a once in a generation opportunity for Queensland sport to benefit by leveraging the focus on sport that hosting an Olympic games will generate. Australian Sailing will work with clubs and class associations to identify opportunities and define how together we can maximise beneficial outcomes for the whole sailing community both now and well beyond 2032.

Winning Gold medals is not the purpose of this conversation- those strategies are in place and already have good traction. The theme of this conversation will revolve around marketing and promotion, instructor/coach/officials’ development, sailor pathways, creating lifelong sailors, retention of youth, club capacity building, mass participation programs, inclusion, etc. We would love to hear your views.

If you could please complete the survey below, it will provide great insights for Australian Sailing to commence consultation, develop and jointly deliver our strategy to ensure best outcomes and a legacy we can be proud of.

It would be appreciated if you could please take the time to consider as a Club/Class Committee and provide a unified response.

Please click here to complete the survey.

2. Club and Class Association Owned Sailing Vessel survey

Australian Sailing is seeking the support of Clubs and Class Associations to gather data around the number of sailing vessels and types owned by Clubs and Classes across Queensland. We are looking for all sailing craft, dinghies, keelboats, yachts, windsurfers, catamarans. etc.

The reason for this information is to provide assistance in developing opportunities for future events, promotion opportunities, development of resources to provide assistance as well as the possible bulk purchasing opportunities and identification of funding requirements and needs. This information will be used in discussions with State Government and Australian Sailing on the previously mentioned themes.

Your assistance to provide accurate data will be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please contact your Club Services Officer.

Please click here to complete the survey.

3. Child Safeguarding in Sport Induction e-Learning course

All children have the right to feel safe and protected from all forms of abuse, harm and neglect and to take part in sport in a safe, positive and enjoyable environment. To educate and inform people of their responsibilities to protect and look after children, Sport Integrity Australia has launched a new Child Safeguarding in Sport Induction eLearning course.

This course has been specifically designed for National Sporting Organisations, State Sporting Organisations, clubs/affiliated bodies, boards, committees, participants, employees, coaches, contractors, officials, and support personnel and will assist learners to understand and implement the National Integrity Framework Child Safeguarding Policy.

By the end of the course learners will be able to:

• understand what child safeguarding in sport is
• understand what the Child Safeguarding policy is, who it applies to and when
• understand the role of the 14 Child Safe Practices in the Policy
• understand the recruitment and screening requirements
• recognise alleged breaches of the Policy
• identify how to respond to alleged breaches

If your organisation is bound by the National Integrity Framework you should complete the course. It takes around 45 minutes to complete.

This course is the first of a number of educational resources being developed to support organisations in their child safeguarding efforts. For more information and stay up to date, please visit Sport Integrity Australia eLearning.

Please feel free to distribute this information to your affiliated members as creating a safe, positive and enjoyable environment is everyone’s responsibility.

4. All Competitors as Club Members from January 2022

Clubs are reminded that from 1 January 2022 all competitors in any race are required to be a member of a club.

Extensive work was done in early 2020 on communicating a change in policy that all competitors participating in races are required to be a member of an affiliated club and registered with Australian Sailing. Clubs planning their calendar and race documents for next season are reminded of this change. The position is expressed in the Australian Sailing Prescription to rule 46.

The reasons for the change relate to Sailing’s future strength; sustainability of clubs, and also safety. Clubs want a strong membership base and people competing in their races should be a member of a club in some way. Being a member of a club and registered with Australian Sailing gives clubs information of who is racing which is an important part of their approach to safety. Being registered with Australian Sailing also provides a basic insurance which serves as a safety net to people who, through injury or accident, incur financial loss.

Australian Sailing have made systems available to clubs who want to provide short term, introductory or other flexible membership arrangements to competitors. The system is SailPass and it has been rolled out nationally and enthusiastically taken up by many clubs. The system provides flexibility for clubs to make competitors members for any appropriate terms. Membership under SailPass is considered by Australian Sailing to be membership of a club and provides for registration of the crew with Australian Sailing. A significant amount of work has been done in the SailPass system and it is proving itself as a valuable tool for clubs wanting to offer flexible and attractive membership options.

This strategic priority is completely compatible and in line with the priorities of any affiliated club. Clubs want competitors to be members and if not be a member with them, support the network of clubs and become a member elsewhere.

To answer any further questions on the changes to rule 46, we have created a list of FAQs which will give you information on what SailPass is, how it integrates with clubs and how it can benefit casual racing. You will find it here https://www.sailing.org.au/news/faq-changes-to-rule-46/

5. Hey Sport, R U OK?

Whether you're a member of a sporting club, play socially or participate in community events, everyone has a role to play in building an R U OK? Culture.

Hey Sport, R U OK? provides FREE resources for coaches, administrators, officials, volunteers and participants to help them build an R U OK? Culture so everyone in their sporting community feels connected and supported.

The practical tools and tips will help you spot the signs that someone might be struggling with life's ups and downs and help you know when and how to ask 'are you OK?' and have a meaningful conversation that could change, or even save a life.

Hey Sport, R U OK? is backed by the QBE Foundation.

Click here to download the FREE resources

COVID Safe Sailing

For all the information on the current restrictions and requirements please visit the links below.

Australian Sailing COVID-19 Information Hub.

Queensland Government COVID-19 Information Hub.

Action items for clubs:

• Remain vigilant. Strong emphasis on personal hygiene and collection of contact tracing details.
• If you are unwell, stay home.

If you have any questions about these items or more, please contact one of our Queensland team members below.

Contact:

Ben Callard – Regional Manager | 02 91706928 | E: ben.callard@sailing.org.au

Annie Watson – Club Services Officer | P: 02 91706929 | E: annie.watson@sailing.org.au

Grant Willmott – Club Services Officer | P: 02 91706930 | E: grant.willmott@sailing.org.au

Alison Turner – Club Services Officer (P/T) | P: 02 91706931 | E: alison.turner@sailing.org.au