Australian Sailing's newly formed Youth Pathways Team has moved past its initial listening phase and is now rolling out practical coaching support for junior sailors across the country.
In recent months the team has been talking to parents, coaches, clubs and Youth Pathway Class Associations nationwide, building what Australian Sailing describes as a clearer national picture of where sailing development is working well and where targeted support is needed. That groundwork is now translating into action.
The focus is squarely on local coaching access.
Working with Class Associations, Australian Sailing will help classes plan and run regular coaching clinics and training programmes, with targeted support for coaches based on their needs. The aim is straightforward: more consistent local coaching for sailors, valuable practical experience for coaches, and a pipeline of new coaches so programmes can be sustained over time.
That work is already under way in several states for the 2026/27 season. Three major regattas at Sandringham Yacht Club in January 2027, the 29er Nationals, ILCA Nationals and ILCA U21 Worlds, will offer further opportunities to work alongside class coaches and support the development of both sailors and coaches in a regatta environment.
National programmes sit alongside this grassroots push. The 2026 Noakes Group National Youth Squad will run on-water camps at YouthSail WA, Sail Melbourne, Sail Brisbane and the National Training Centre in Middle Harbour. Those camps, along with the Youth Sailing World Championships in Vilamoura and the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, give younger sailors something to aspire to and support stage-appropriate development, while giving coaches valuable national and international experience to bring back to their home state, class and club.
Planning is also progressing for 2027. That includes sailing's first inclusion in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta, the National Youth Squad Program running throughout the year at various domestic venues, and the Youth Sailing World Championships in La Palma, Spain.
The approach relies on data. The team is using event participation, conversations and observations from around the country to build a picture of Youth Pathway Class depth, activity and coaching capacity, information that will show where Australian Sailing can make the greatest difference and guide its work through 2027 and beyond.
Australian Sailing has thanked Noakes Group, Official Partner of Youth Sailing, for its support of the Youth Pathways programme, helping with the development of young sailors and strengthening connections between clubs, classes, coaches and Australian Sailing's national programmes.
