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Major State Government funding boost for Victoria’s grass roots sailing
The Victorian State Government has announced significant new funding for Yachting Victoria to develop training programmes that are to be shared amongst member clubs, class associations and volunteers across the state.
According to Yachting Victoria’s President David Gotze, “It is the largest single amount ever invested in grass roots sailing by any state or federal government to improve coaching, instructor and race management expertise. “With new and larger events such as Sail Melbourne and Skandia Geelong Week our sport needs larger numbers of trained volunteers with top race management skills”. The Minister for Sport and Recreation Victoria, Justin Madden MLC said in announcing the grant last week in Melbourne, “The incredible success of the Volvo Ocean Race Melbourne Stop Over provided a marvelous opportunity for Yachting Victoria to develop new programs to grow the sport at the grassroots level. “Yacht clubs and their volunteers made the Stop Over a fantastic event and it’s fitting they share in the benefits.
“It is important local sporting clubs are equipped with the facilities and qualified trained people to meet the growing needs of the community. We’ve invested in the facilities that matter to local communities, like sports and recreational centres,” he added. The State government funding exceeds $400,000 over two years, and means that all Victorian yacht clubs, their volunteers, recognised classes and Sailability programmes can at no cost, obtain new or upgraded qualifications in instructing, coaching or race management as an extension of the “Go Sailing & Boating“ programme.  The programme to be managed by Yachting Victoria will roll out through 2007-2008. Yachting Victoria’s CEO, Ross Kilborn (left) who is very enthusiastic about the announcement says, “This State Government support is very exciting news for Victorian yachting and clubs.
”The objective of this “Go Sailing & Boating“programme is to establish a stronger grass roots base for the future growth of our clubs and the sport. Clubs are now being advised how to avail themselves of this new programme,” he added. Go Sailing & boating - instructor, coaching and race management training 1. Race management: Building on Victoria’s leadership in conducting sailing events by increasing race official’s capacity and capabilities even further. It is to begin in the 2006 season to benefit Sail Melbourne and Skandia Geelong Week and is available to all clubs. 2. Coaching: Improving the performance of Victorian sailors in national and international competition, and increasing member retention by increasing our coaching capacity and programmes at clubs and recognised classes. And to further improve the achievements of Victorian sailors at the national and international level, and improve club members’ performances. 3. Instructor: Increasing participation in the sport by increasing instructor capacity – as training is such an important pathway into the sport. The instructor development program will equip clubs with increased instructor capacity that will enable increased participation in programs like junior sailing, Tackers, Schools Teams Racing, Sailability and general sailing and boating education for all sectors of the community. Media: Mike Sabey – Sabey & Associates Ph 95 33 8030 |
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