Australian Sailing has today launched the Participation Plan for Sailing in Australia, a whole-of-sport roadmap designed to make sailing more accessible, welcoming and flexible, and to grow participation through to 2032 and beyond.
Aligned with SAILING 2032, the sport’s 10-year Strategic Plan, the Participation Plan responds to changing participation trends and community expectations. It aims to ensure more Australians can discover sailing, enjoy positive first experiences and find clear, connected pathways to stay involved for life.
The Plan outlines how Australian Sailing, Clubs, Class Associations and Discover Sailing Centres will work together to grow participation by getting more people on the water, in more ways, more often.
Australian Sailing President, Shevaun Bruland, said the Plan provides a united direction for the sport.
“Sailing has the power to build confidence, create lifelong memories and connect communities. This Participation Plan ensures we are working together to make sailing easier to access, understand and continue.
“Progress will be monitored through annual reviews and end-of-horizon evaluations to ensure accountability, alignment to strategy and opportunities for improvement.”
Structured across three horizons from 2026 to 2032+, the Participation Plan focuses on unifying the entry experience, enabling flexible participation options, building a more connected sailing ecosystem, strengthening club environments and delivering nationally consistent communication.
Key initiatives include modernising Discover Sailing and SailPass offerings, introducing digital onboarding tools to improve retention, supporting clubs to deliver flexible and social formats, strengthening volunteer support and governance capability, and launching a national storytelling campaign to shift perceptions and showcase that sailing has a place for everyone.
The Participation Plan is grounded in national research and consultation, including insights gathered in partnership with the Australian Sports Commission, and aligns with the Commission’s Play Well strategy to ensure safe, welcoming and inclusive sport experiences across Australia.
Australian Sailing would like to thank the significant contribution made by the Participation Plan Working Group, who worked together sharing their individual insights to create one united plan.
Members of the Working Group include Paul Armstrong, Tara Blanc-Ramos, Gemma Burns, Kate Clifford, Mick Doherty, Nicole Douglass, Matt Doyle, Sarah Haywood, Sean Hogan, Barry Johnson, Elizabeth (Liz) Johnston, Justine Kirkjian, Gregor Lichtfuss, Skip Lissiman, Julie Luke, Sarah Peare, Ian Porteous, Emma Roberts, Richard Rowell, Kirstin Seaver, Bill Sharland and Martin White.
Australian Sailing invites clubs, class associations, volunteers, partners and participants to play their part in delivering the Plan and shaping the future of sailing in Australia.
Please click here to view the Participation Plan.
#Sailing #AustralianSailing #ParticipateInSailing
Want to see what we’ve written about Australian Sailing lately? Click here
