Swan River Sailing are 2021 Australian Sailing National Awards winners
by Swan River Sailing 30 Nov 2021 21:41 PST
25 November 2021
The Awards were announced last Thursday, 25th Nov, during a one-hour online special on the Australian Sailing Facebook page and website with the virtual event hosted by Gordon Bray AM.
Despite the disappointment that the sailing community couldn't gather for an in-person event, the online production was a fantastic way to showcase the highlights of the past season and celebrate the successes during what was another trying year for the sailing community. Border closures and localised lockdowns played havoc on social and serious sailors alike, but last Thursday's awards showed that the fighting spirit was alive and well in sailing clubs across Australia.
Western Australia's Swan River Sailing had a fantastic night; taking home both the SheSails and Sustainability Awards. The awards were due to recognition for growing female participation in sailing and their work in the environmental sustainability space including the reduction of single-use plastics and Beach Clean-Up events.
"Swan River Sailing has improved the sustainability of sailing via various initiatives such as saving over 2,000 single-use plastic bottles during a 4-day regatta and running an annual beach cleanup. They have ongoing partnerships with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and River Guardians and other conservation groups in the area", Australian Sailing.
"Swan River Sailing had an impressive season of promoting female involvement and retention in sailing. Some of the key events included hosting the 2020 and 2021 Womens State Keelboat Championships. Another key achievement was amending the Swan River Sailing Match Racing rules to allow higher maximum total weight for women's match racing", Australian Sailing.
Thank you, WA Sailing Community!
We are supported in many ways by so many contributors in the community - Yacht Clubs, organisations, volunteers, officials, our corporate sailing casual workforce, sailors, teams, participants in our events and more. We cannot contribute to the community without the support of the community. The recognition of these awards are something we are extremely proud of, and definitely would not be possible without a whole army of dedicated supporters behind the scenes. This success is your success! Thank YOU!!
Full list of 2021 award winners
Male Sailor of the Year
Mat Belcher and Will Ryan - Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron/Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron/Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club/Cruising Yacht Club of Australia/ Southport Yacht Club (QLD/NSW)
Female Sailor of the Year
Lisa Darmanin - Manly 16ft Skiff Club/Middle Harbour Yacht Club (NSW)
Youth Sailor of the Year
James Jackson and Harrison Chapman - Mornington Yacht Club/Royal Brighton Yacht Club (VIC)
Para Sailor of the Year
Chris Symonds - Wynyard Yacht Club (TAS)
Offshore Sailor of the Year
Duncan Hine - Derwent Sailing Squadron (TAS)
Coach of the Year
Michael Blackburn - Australian Sailing Team (NSW)
Club of the Year
Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (VIC)
Volunteer of the Year
Max Gundy - Lane Cove 12ft Sailing Skiff Club (NSW)
Instructor of the Year
Andrew Omotosho - Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NSW)
Official of the Year
Louise Davis - Wynnum Manly Sailing Club (QLD)
Sport Promotion Award
Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (VIC)
Sport Professional Award
Justine Kirkjian - Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (NSW)
SheSails Award
Swan River Sailing (WA)
Sustainability Award
Swan River Sailing (WA)
President's Award
Garry Langford (TAS)