Yachting Australia is the National Sporting Organisation (NSO) for sailing, and peak body for recreational boating at Clubs, in Australia. It is one of over 90 NSOs recognised by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).
Yachting Australia is a Federation consisting of eight State and Territory Associations, often referred to as Member Yachting Associations (MYAs). In turn they have nearly 400 affiliated Clubs, who between them have approximately 60,000 registered on water members. Registered members receive a “Silver Card” in recognition of their club membership, and in the case of Club Officials and Yachting Australia Qualified Officials, Instructors and Coaches , this is a “Gold Card. “
Yachting Australia is a not-for-profit organisation governed by a voluntary Board with a mix of elected and appointed Directors. Yachting Australia operates in accord with its Strategic Plan, developed and agreed with the Member State Associations. This plan and its Annual Report and Financial Statements are published on the website.
A printable version of the 2012-2013 Yachting Australia cardholder brochure is available here.
WHAT DOES YACHTING AUSTRALIA DO
Plan Strategically
By collaborating with the States and federal government agencies Yachting Australia sets objectives, plans and priorities to deliver a successful and growing future for sailing and recreational boating at Clubs. All Clubs, State Associations and Yachting Australia are governed by elected volunteer Boards or Committees who determine club and, ultimately, peak body plans and priorities. Every Club member has a say in this via their own Committee, who in turn elect State Boards and Yachting Australia’s Board. Staff at Clubs and peak bodies work in accord with the plans and priorities determined by their relevant Boards.
Develops Plans Programs and Policies
Yachting Australia’s Strategic Plan, based on the input of its member State Associations, determines the priority Programs and Policies. State Associations then support the Clubs in implementing them.
Represents sailing to the Federal Government
Government policy and regulations can positively and negatively impact the sport. On behalf of the sailing and recreational boating club community, Yachting Australia advocates for the interests of its member States and their member Clubs on a range of national issues including those affecting the sport, safety, communication and the environment.
State Associations are responsible for advocating the interests of the sport to their respective State Government.
At the Federal level Yachting Australia manages key relationships with the ASC, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).
Represents sailing Internationally
As a member of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), Yachting Australia actively works to influence international sailing policy and regulations. Yachting Australia also helps strengthen the sport globally by supporting key ISAF programs and communicating international sailing policies to our member State Associations.
Supports Club based competitive sailing
Yachting Australia supports Club based competitive sailing by:
Providing input to, reviewing, and adopting for Australia, the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing.
Providing the framework for managing the Rules including the training and development of Club Race Officials, and providing the associated protest and appeals systems.
Formulating and providing Safety Regulations in line with world’s best practice.
Managing international ratings systems in Australia, including issuing boat rating certificates for IRC and ORC.
Providing Clubs with safety policies, templates and training to manage safety and minimise incidents.
Help Clubs Increase Participation in Sailing
The Discover Sailing Program helps Clubs promote sailing through:
Discover Sailing Days and Experiences to provide the initial taste of sailing.
Courses, a series of practical Learn to Sail classes for windsurfers, dinghies, powerboats and keelboats, offered at one of the over 200 Accredited Discover Sailing Centres throughout Australia.
Crewing, by matching people looking for crewing opportunities with boat owners.
Tackers, a fun based junior program for 7-12 year olds.
Sailability for including people of all abilities in sailing at Clubs.
Provides Pathways
Yachting Australia supports the long-term sustainability of the sport by providing pathways for sailors and officials, and providing relevant training and development opportunities for people to progress on these pathways.
Educates and Trains
Yachting Australia offers Programs for Club officials and members including:
The RYA – YA Yacht Training Program in Australia for further developing keelboat sailors, and providing internationally and commercially recognised sailing and boating qualifications.
Training, qualifying and developing Instructors.
Training, qualifying and developing Club and High Performance Coaches.
Training, qualifying and developing Race Officials including Race Officers, Judges, Umpires and Measurers.
Providing Powerboat courses for both the public, and Club members, to increase marine safety and skill Club Safety boat drivers.
Supports clubs and their members
Clubs have access to a range of services which seek to aid them in meeting the expectations of their members. These include:
A wide range of tailored insurance services for Clubs, Class Associations and individuals. For a detailed guide to Insurance see www.oamps.com.au/ya
An IT platform providing management tools to support organisations and volunteers at all levels. This includes MyClub, MyCentre, MyClass, MySite, and MySailor for Club members.
A structure of National and State Committees that provide input to, and implementation of major plans, policies and programs.
Provides information and advice
Through a series of websites that are sources of information on the organisation of sailing and boating in Australia interested participants can keep up to date with developments.
In addition cardholders will receive our regular monthly e-newsletter, Nautical News, and the quarterly Gold Card newsletter. Both are sent to all Club registered members with an email address in MyClub.
Develop policies
Yachting Australia seeks to ensure the proper governance and management of the Federation. National policies are available to Clubs and States to be able to protect the interests of members, such as: member protection, safety and risk management and anti-doping.
Sanction National Events
Yachting Australia sanctions a range of national events such as the annual Australian IRC Championships, Youth Championships, Youth Grand Prix and Teams and Match Racing Championships.
Provides access to Funding Opportunities
Clubs affiliated with the peak bodies can access a range of grant funding opportunities at national, state and local government levels for volunteer or program development, running events, and participation programs through to major facilities improvement. The Australian Sports Foundation enables affiliated Clubs to register appropriate projects, such as safety boat or facilities renewal, to allow financial contributions to be tax deductible. The peak bodies play a key role in influencing government on grant funding programs, promoting their availability to Clubs and assisting Clubs' successful applications.
Reinforces Clubs Status as a Not for Profit Organisation
Affiliated Clubs with not for profit status, generally are not required to pay income tax and enjoy some other tax benefits, including land tax and local rates because Clubs promote sport and community wellbeing. This status provides recognition by government and the community, often resulting in potential access to additional services.
Developing world class athletes
Through a series of state and national initiatives, talented athletes are identified, supported and nurtured, receiving expert coaching, sport science support and financial assistance. Programs include State Development Squads right up to the level of the Australia Sailing Team (Levels 7-10 on the Sailing Pathway).
MEMBERSHIP AND FUNDING CONTRIBUTIONS
Yachting Australia is funded by grants from the ASC, AIS, the Australian Olympic Committee, the Australian Paralympic Committee, our corporate sponsors and patrons, trading activities and membership fees paid by MYAs.
The membership fees paid to Yachting Australia, by its State Associations, account for about 10% of Yachting Australia’s annual income. They are agreed and collected by the State Associations through their affiliated Clubs. Individuals can only access the membership benefits of the Federation by being a member through an affiliated Yacht Club.
Fees from State Associations are spent exclusively on developing and providing services and programs delivered at State and Club level, but there is also a significant contribution to these activities from the Australian Sports Commission.
ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT
For assistance with anything Yachting Australia does your first point of contact is your Club.
In the event that your Club is unable to assist, it should contact its State Association (MYA) to seek assistance. If they are unable to assist they will contact Yachting Australia.
If you have any queries regarding your Gold or Silver card, need it replaced or think you should have received it and have not, please contact your Club.
For more details on all our programs and services, see the Yachting Australia website at www.yachting.org.au or State Association website (MYA).
DIRECT BENEFITS TO CLUB MEMBERS
All of the benefits outlined above benefit members via their Club and State Association.
Yachting Australia Gold and Silver Cards are issued to all individuals whose details are recorded into the”MyClub” system, the Yachting Australia on-line national membership system. For racing sailors the Gold or Silver Card provides proof of compliance with the Racing Rules of Sailing in:
Rule 46 for skippers in all races
Rule 55 for crew participating in more than three races
Cardholders also receive a personal accident insurance benefit and access to various discounts from Yachting Australia’s loyalty partners. The Personal Accident Insurance policy covers registered cardholders, aged 5 to 85 years, injured while sailing, cruising, participating and officiating in races, race training or while on the premises of an affiliated Yacht Club. The cover includes death and disability compensation, non-Medicare medical expenses and, for income earners, an accident weekly benefit.
There’s a range of other direct benefits to Club members such as:
Communication through websites, e-newsletters and printed material.
The Yachting Australia On-line Shop that has a comprehensive range of over 140 yachting and boating publications and merchandise for sale. at www.yachting.org.au/shop
MySailor – an on-line facility for storing all your sailing and boating information and updating your Club’s records about you.
The free Yachting Australia Online Classifieds advertising system.
Discounts on products and/or services from a range of Yachting Australia partners.
These include:
Avis currently offer Cardholders special discounted rates on all domestic and international car hire through Yachting Australia’s Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) number P843900. Call 136 333 or go to www.avis.com.au
Yaffa offer Cardholders up to 60% off yearly subscriptions of leading sailing magazines including Australian Sailing+Yachting and Cruising Helmsman. Visit www.mysailing.com.au or e-mail subscriptions@yaffa.com.au
Cardholders receive 5% off the best available rates across Toga’s Australian Hotels at over 52 strategically located apartments and hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Please quote your Yachting Australia card number upon booking via phone at 13 TOGA
Sunsail is the world’s largest yacht charter operator with over 30 bases in 20 destinations catering for the novice through to the most experienced of sailors. Whether it’s a bareboat, skippered or flotilla charter we can assist. Call 1800 803 988 or email sales@sunsail.com.au or visit www.sunsail.com.au to receive your 5% discount quoting YACHT.
