The Re-birth of Australian University Sailing

by Tom Mallet on 10 Feb 2009 Despite Australian sailors achieving success around the world, the long term sustainability of the sport is uncertain. Youth sailing has grown over the last ten years, but it has only taken place in the age groups below 17 years.

Many sailing clubs have observed a decline in the number of 18 to 30 year old sailors from their club events. For any young person, this time is associated with finishing school, leaving home, getting your first job or going on to higher education. Prior to this time, most young people’s participation in sailing is funded by committed parents willing to meet the costs, but once they leave home, sailing stops without support.

The decline of university sailing over the past 10 years has not helped sailing for young adults. Many universities once had clubs that provided both an entry point for students into the sport as well as the means for participation in class and university competitions. The universities and clubs also provided support for competitive sailors who represented their states and Australia. While some universities still provide financial assistance for competitive sailors, this is not done through a university club.

The University of Sydney remains as the last university with a surviving club in NSW and one of only a few active university clubs in Australia.

The Sydney Uni Club almost collapsed in 2007 but since 2008 has slowly been rebuilt, establishing a strong membership base and holding a number of successful events. Club equipment has been refurbished bringing it back to working order allowing students to get out on the water, even on a limited budget. While the boats have been successfully raced, to be seriously competitive, their replacement will be necessary.

The experiences of 2008 by The Sydney Uni Club have proven that there is a need for university sailing to support the sport and maintain sustainability.

As a first step towards the redevelopment, the first university regatta for a number of years will be held in mid April. This event will be open to all classes and will take place under the yard stick system. Further details of the event will be circulated soon through all relevant media.

With the collapse of the other university clubs, the true number of sailors in universities is unknown. To remedy this, Yachting NSW is supporting a national database that allows for the registration of university sailors. The database allows event information to be easily distributed and can provide the bases for the establishment of new university clubs around the country.

To register send an email to andrew.cribb(at)nsw.yachting.org.au with your contact details including Name, Address, Phone Number, Email address and University.

The club is also seeking university sailor alumni to re-register at www.usydsailing.com

In late 2008, The Sydney Uni Sailing Club established a foundation to aid in fundraising for the purchase of new equipment that will allow the club to remain sustainable into the future. While currently the Sydney Uni Club is the only club in NSW, the clubs aim is not only to develop itself but university sailing in general.

University clubs are run by students who learn on the job. Many of the skills associated with running a club are transferable into everyday life. Building clubs not only grows a sport by increasing its accessibility but creates challenges for its committees that if over come bring great reward. In the future, the next generation of management committees will build on what is already established but currently the clubs are starting from scratch so have no precedent to go by.

For this reason, having the support of the general sailing community who can provide important guidance will be critical for success.

For more information go to www.usydsailing.com