The latest updates from QLD Regional Manager Ben Callard:

1. 2021 Date savers

The 2021 Queensland Instructors Conference will be held on the 22nd & 23rd May at the Townsville Sailing Club. This is a free event for instructors and coaches to participate in some professional development. 

The 2021 Queensland Clubs Conference will be held on the 24th & 25th July at the Brisbane Sailing Squadron. This an important event for club committee members and decision makers to get together for networking, to hear from Australian Sailing and contribute your feedback and input through the forums and workshops.

Action item for clubs:

1. Save these dates in your club and personal calendar and share with others.
2. Ensure your club is represented.

2. 2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing now published

The new Racing Rules of Sailing (Blue Book) including the Australian Sailing Prescriptions have been published to the website.

The current Racing Rules of Sailing run through until 31 December 2020 which means that it becomes effective in the middle of most of Australia’s sailing season. Clubs will need to be aware of this when writing their notice of race and sailing instructions for any championships that run over this timeframe. Also, clubs who produce a handbook for a full season’s racing need to ensure they refer to the 2021-2024 version of the RRS when it comes in to play.

The 2021-2024 version of the RRS can be found here.

Changes to the 2021-2024 RRS
There are a few changes to be aware of in the new version of the 2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing.The Racing Rules Officials Committee have created two presentations to help navigate the changes to the new version of the RRS. One directed at sailors while the other visits the changes that affect the Race Management team. Both have been uploaded to YouTube where they can be used as a tool to run information seminars at local clubs. Use them as a starting point for discussion or run a virtual information evening.

The changes for Sailors presentation can be found here
The changes for Race Management can be found here

Read the full article here.

Action item for clubs:

1. Please promote and share the new Racing Rules of Sailing and explanatory resources with your members.
2. As a number of rules have changed you will need to review all Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions and update to comply and align with the new rules.

3. Super Resources for Race Officials and regatta organisers

Race officials are reminded that there is a wealth of wonderful resources on the Australian Sailing website.

The information on the Australian Sailing website is available to umpires, judges, measurers and race officers. Each discipline of race official has its own library of resources containing everything from practical advice for measuring sails and spars, through to course setting cards and mark laying manuals.

Race officials will also find regatta document templates. In this section there are twenty templates for the race, protest and technical committees to use. All of the templates are provided in Word format so that the user can easily modify and use the form.

We suggest that all race officials familiarise themselves with the resources available to them. The resources should help make the job easier and more efficient and importantly give competitors a consistent and professional experience across events.

Resources for race officials can be found here.

Action item for clubs:

1. Please promote and share the resources with your race organisers.
2. As a number of rules have changed you will need to review all Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions and update to comply and align with the new Racing Rules of Sailing.

4. Child Safe Events

Children and young people have the right to be safe from abuse at all times, including when they are in sporting environments, and Race Officials have a role to play in their safety.

Child Safety is about keeping children and young people safe from abuse and protecting them from people who are identified as unsuitable to work with children. There is no national Child Protection law, however all states and territories have their own child protection laws to keep children safe and to protect them from abuse.

Race officials need to ensure that any event they are assisting with, the host club and class are adhering to the Child Protection Laws and requirements of the state/territory it is in. Failure to be compliant may introduce risks to the children participating and also result in punishment under the legislation.

Read the full article here.

Further resources:
Changes to the Working with Children Blue Card System
8 Mandatory Requirements for Child Protection

Action item for clubs:

1. Check your clubs Child Protection Policy, ensure your club is compliant with the new laws regarding Blue Card’s.
2. Check your clubs Child Protection Policy, ensure your club is compliant with the new laws regarding the mandatory requirements.
3. Educate your clubs officials, volunteers, and members. Everyone has a role to play in keeping young people safe.

If you require assistance, please contact your Australian Sailing Club Services Officer.

5. Yachting Queensland AGM

Yachting Queensland held their 2020 Annual General Meeting on Thursday 29th October 2020. The meeting was immediately followed by a General Meeting to which several presentations were provided to members.

For a copy of the minutes and the referenced presentations, please click on the link below.

Click here for the meeting report, minutes, and a copy of the presentations.

6. COVID Safe Sailing

There continues to be changes to the COVID Safe requirements for sporting events and activities to take place. Further amendments are being made to the Industry plans.

I encourage you to read the latest advice from the Queensland Government and ensure you and your club are fully compliant.

Return to Play - Industry Plans updates & easing of restrictions

Action item for clubs:

Remain vigilant. Strong emphasis in 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 – ben.callard@sailing.org.au

Annie Watson – Club Services Officer – annie.watson@sailing.org.au

Grant Willmott – Club Services Officer – grant.willmott@sailing.org.au

Alison Turner – Club Services Officer (P/T) – alison.turner@sailing.org.au

Office phone: (07) 3393 6788