News
General Manager - Western Australia Update April 2025
Published Tue 01 Apr 2025
The latest updates from Australian Sailing's General Manager - Western Australia - Kate Wearn
Please click this link to find all past WA General Manager's Updates.
General Update
Welcome to the April update, from the Western Australian office.
The energy and enthusiasm of the WA team has been unstoppable, as we set and achieve goals, deliver upon our funded projects, continue the great work of our colleagues in implementing the education and training enhancements and engage with WA Clubs, Class Associations and Discover Sailing Centres.
The team have been out and about, meeting with Clubs, Associations and DSCs. For those we cannot easily meet in person, revSPORT training and meetings have been conducted via Microsoft Teams, with plans in place to travel to these locations in the near future.
In the month of April, the whole team will be travelling within the State. Kate and Tait will be visiting various Clubs, delivering programs and inducting a new Discover Sailing Centre in the South West region. Jade will be heading North to Geraldton Yacht Club one weekend, and then to Princess Royal Sailing Club in Albany the next, supporting events and working with the Club administration teams. Drina and Evie have also been out and about and will both be travelling North in the coming weeks, Drina for an exciting new adventure and Evie for a well-deserved break in Exmouth.
Just a reminder, we are ready and eager to support your Club, Class Association or DSC and are only a phone call or email away. Please feel free to reach out via the details at the bottom of this update.
You can also keep up to date with the latest news and opportunities from Australian Sailing, via our social media:
Thank you to the local team of Jade, Tait, Drina and Evie, who go above and beyond to ensure our output and energy remains high!
Sailing Summit Roadshow
As we continue on the theme of engaging with Clubs, in 2025 the Sailing Summits will be travelling to regional locations, bringing four separate events to locations across Western Australia, ensuring accessibility for clubs and classes across the State, from May onwards.
We encourage you to register now, to attend your preferred event, so that we can create the best possible Sailing Summit in your region:
- Princess Royal Sailing Club - Sunday 18 May
- Koombana Bay Sailing Club - Saturday 7 June
- East Fremantle Yacht Club - Saturday 19 July
- Exmouth Yacht Club - Saturday 30 August
This year’s summits will focus on addressing the major challenges identified by the sailing community:
- Participation - Strategies to grow involvement at all levels
- Funding - Exploring avenues for financial sustainability
- Volunteering - Strengthening and supporting volunteer engagement
Additionally, Australian Sailing will present findings from the latest GEMBA Report, due for completion in May 2025. This research delves into public perceptions of barriers to sailing and provides actionable recommendations for clubs and classes to boost participation and membership.
The agenda will cover a variety of presenters, from local Clubs, to government representatives, to Australian Sailing staff. Morning tea and lunch will be provided, with no cost to attend. Keep an eye out for the agendas for each event, to be released soon.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with the sailing community, gain new insights, and help shape the future of sailing in Australia. Register today – HERE.
Shaping the Future Webinar Series
We are nearly halfway through the Australian Sailing webinar series – Shaping the Future, with plenty of great content still to be delivered. Please register for the webinars you are interested in, to ensure you receive a link to join, or the recording post-webinar.
The next three webinars will be as follows:
Webinar 3: AI in Clubs
Join us as Simon Kriss explores how clubs can harness Artificial Intelligence to streamline operations, enhance engagement, and future-proof success.
Date: Tuesday 15 April 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM (AWST)
Online – register now - https://www.sailing.org.au/events/283239
Webinar 4: True Sport Overview Presentation
The first of two sessions delivered by True Sport will provide valuable insights into True Sport’s framework and key initiatives.
Date: Tuesday 13 May 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (AWST)
Location: Online – register now - https://www.sailing.org.au/events/287282
Webinar 5: Child Safeguarding in Sport
An important topic for everyone delivering programs and activities for children in the sport of sailing, discover resources to help create a stronger, safer, and more sustainable sporting environment.
Date: Tuesday 25 May 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (AWST)
Location: Online – register now - https://www.sailing.org.au/events/287282
Thanks to the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, who have made these webinars possible, via the DSC Next Level Activation Project. The State Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and Lotterywest are major supporters of Australian Sailing in Western Australia. Sport and recreation creates vibrant, safe and connected WA communities.
Instructor and Coach Courses
Key updates and enhancements from Australian Sailing now include a new Training Hub, providing easy access to learning materials, course administration, and instructor resources, and a modern Learning Management System, which simplifies online learning for Instructors, Coaches, and DSC Principals, and Officials.
The 2025 Instructor and Coach Course schedule has been finalised and all courses now reflect these enhancements. Please view the course schedule HERE, and select your preferred course for more information and to register.
Calendars and Department of Transport Update
Notification of the Swan River Sailing Calendar closing dates for the 2025/26 season have been shared with relevant Clubs and are available HERE. Please view the SRRC webpage, for all information and to access the shared Calendar: https://www.sailing.org.au/wa/swan-river-racing/.
The Coastal Calendar for the 2025/26 season will soon be open for applications from all Clubs throughout WA, operating on the ocean. Notification will be sent this month and information available on the webpage: https://www.sailing.org.au/wa/coastal-calendar/.
We thank Clubs for their ongoing cooperation, to ensure the timely and accurate sharing of information, which facilitates our ongoing relationship with the Department of Transport and ensures the safety of all activities on the water.
The DoT have shared a feedback form, which can be completed to report incidents and issues on the water. Any near misses, safety concerns, complaints about other water users, etc. can be reported, which will allow the Department to address any concerns or ongoing issues. Please view and complete the form HERE.
Finally, a quick reminder on some important safety aspects. Please remember to check the validity of the registrations for your Club’s vessels (including borrowed boats). Please ensure you are aware of the new regulations regarding safety equipment, and of the exemptions, which Australian Sailing obtains on behalf of all Clubs included in the Swan River Racing and Coastal Calendars.
Save the Date
Please mark the following confirmed and important dates in your diaries, and stay tuned for updates and information as we near each event.
Any questions on the above topics please contact the General Manager - WA, Kate Wearn at kate.wearn@sailing.org.au.
We look forward to seeing you on the water, or at your Club soon!
Keep in touchAll members of our team are available to answer your queries by phone, face-to-face or to meet via Microsoft Teams online.
You can find a full list of Australian Sailing Contacts - here. |
