Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine Pipe Glands

Stars of AFLW, Netball and more set sail with SheSails

by Australian Sailing 2 Dec 2022 03:08 PST

To celebrate the start of summer Australian Sailing extended a special invitation to the crew from Play Like a Girl to a SheSails 'Discover Sailing' experience.

The call was answered with five powerhouse women from different sporting backgrounds jumping on the offer to experience sailing for the very first time.

The group pictured above consisted of (left to right):

  • Gemma Keough - sporting all-rounder currently involved in Bodyfit, Zumba, Pilates
  • Holly Bailey -VFLW Player, Netballer and Founder of Play like a Girl
  • Taryne Fletcher - Boxer, singer and owner of clothing apparel brand
  • Alysha Isaacs - has played in basketball and football, currently studying sports media
  • Sharni Norder (née Layton) - Australian Diamonds Netball and Collingwood AFLW Player

Play Like a Girl founder Holly explained "we want to get more girls involved in the sport or at least give them an experience of what it's like. And we put that out to our members and a bunch of girls jumped at it. So today we're here with a bunch of different athletes from a variety of sports to try sailing for the first time. So, I'm really excited".

Melbourne turned on great weather as the group gathered at Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron in St Kilda ready to learn the ropes and discover the fun, fitness and freedom sailing has to offer.

After a safety briefing and some theory, the group was ready to venture out and learn on water setting sail in beautiful Port Phillip Bay.

Sharni shared "I'm really excited to try sailing. Obviously, there's the dangers of falling in the water and not wanting to get too wet, which may or may not happen. But I just love new experiences and new sports. How often do you get to come to St Kilda, get out in a boat or even just get out in the bay, learn something new and you get to mix with other people".

Working as a team they found their feet and quickly established the roles of the crew and how to work and adjust the sail to the wind conditions. After an intensive hour and in true SheSails spirit Holly, Sharni, Taryn, Alysha and Gemma were all keen to put their new skills to the test taking part in the local Twilight Sailing race.

The winds and waves continued to build and challenge the first-time sailors but not enough to wipe the smiles off their faces and stop the fun and singing that could be heard and enjoyed by all passing vessels.

As the sun set the crew returned to shore to enjoy the hospitality back at the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron who had some well-deserved hot chips waiting for the hungry Play Like a Girl sailors.

Back at the club Taryne provided insights into her first taste of sailing "My first experience was amazing. It was nothing like I expected. It was so much more, which was great. Really good to be with the girls out on the water. I definitely would recommend this experience to others. It put me out of my comfort zone. I was super nervous that I'd get seasick however I was that busy with hands on work in pulling ropes and whatnot, putting sails up I didn't even think about it. So yeah, I'm really glad that I did it".

Like the Play Like a Girl crew, make this summer the one to Discover what Sailing has to offer! It is a great social sport with no experience necessary and options for all ages and abilities. Find out more about Discover Sailing courses and experiences here or to find your local sailing club please visit here.

SheSails is Australian Sailing's female participation brand designed to encourage women of all ages and abilities to enjoy sailing through organised activities at their local club.

Related Articles

Tough conditions test Morris
As iQFOiL World Championships wrap up The iQFOiL World Championships have drawn to a close in Aarhus, Denmark, following a week of light and unpredictable wind that tested both race officials and athletes to the limit. Posted on 11 Jul
Grae Morris Takes on the iQFOiL Worlds
Shifty conditions on the first day in Aarhus, Denmark Aarhus, Denmark is serving up everything but predictability as the iQFOiL World Championships get under way, and Australian Olympic silver medallist Grae Morris is ready to assert his place at the top of the new Olympic cycle. Posted on 6 Jul
AST and B&G extend high-performing partnership
Continuing a collaboration that has been critical to the success of the team AST has announced the renewal of its long-term partnership with B&G, the world's leading sailing navigation and instrument specialists, continuing a collaboration that has been critical to the success of the team over the past eight years. Posted on 2 Jul
Australian Sailing welcomes new CEO
Malcolm Page OAM brings a wealth of experience to the role Australian Sailing is pleased to announce the appointment of respected sports administrator and dual Olympic gold medallist Malcolm Page OAM OLY as its new Chief Executive Officer. Posted on 1 Jul
Bronze breakthrough for Liddell and Brown
Nacra 17 duo claim their first international podium at Kieler Woche Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown have claimed their first international podium in the Nacra 17 class, securing bronze at Kieler Woche, the third Sailing Grand Slam event of the season. Posted on 30 Jun
Aussies Break into Top 10 at Kieler Woche
Put to the test from light air to heavy breeze The first half of Kieler Woche has wrapped up in Germany, with Australian sailors putting themselves to the test in five Olympic classes. Kiel delivered a complete spectrum of conditions for athletes to sharpen their racing skills. Posted on 26 Jun
Vale Hugh Treharne OAM
The Australian sailing community is mourning the passing of one of its greatest contributors The Australian sailing community is mourning the passing of one of its greatest contributors, Hugh Treharne OAM, who died peacefully surrounded by his loving family in Sydney last night. Posted on 25 Jun
Australian Sailors ready to tackle Kiel Week
The third event within the five event Sailing Grand Slam Australia's Olympic class sailors are set to tackle Kiel Week, the third event within the five event Sailing Grand Slam, held in the north of Germany. Posted on 21 Jun
Zhik and Australian Sailing renew partnership
For a fourth Olympic cycle Zhik and Australian Sailing are proud to celebrate over a decade of partnership, one built on innovation, elite performance and podium success. Since 2013, the collaboration has helped deliver four Olympic gold medals and four silver medals. Posted on 20 Jun
Top 10 finishes for Aussie crews in Europeans
Australia's 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 sailors have wrapped up a demanding week in Greece Australia's 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 sailors have wrapped up a demanding European Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece, with light winds, lengthy delays, and multiple general recalls pushing teams to their limits throughout the week. Posted on 9 Jun
Rooster 2025Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP BOTTOMRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTER