Empowering Women and Girls in Sailing: A $927,000 Investment from the Australian Government’s Play Our Way Program

New Investment to Boost Women and Girls’ Participation in Sailing Across Australia

Australia – Women and girls across the nation are set to experience a wave of new opportunities in sailing, thanks to a significant investment of $927,000 awarded to Australian Sailing through the Australian Government’s Play Our Way program. This initiative, launched in the wake of the successful FIFA Women’s World Cup, marks one of the largest government investments in women’s sports to date.

The Play Our Way program aims to dismantle barriers and create equitable opportunities for women and girls to engage, lead, and excel in sports and physical activities at all levels. Many of the funded projects specifically target women and girls facing additional challenges, including those with disabilities, those living in regional or remote areas, First Nations women, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Australian Sailing is among 290 organizations nationwide selected to benefit from this funding, which will enhance participation and coaching programs, making sailing more inclusive and accessible. This investment aligns with Australian Sailing’s strategic plan, SAILING 2032, which aims for 50% female participation across all aspects of the sport by 2032. Since 2023, female participation has already increased from 32% to 35%, but there is still much work to be done.

Sail Our Way Initiatives

The newly launched Sail Our Way initiatives will introduce several programs designed to support clubs, classes, and communities:

• Direct Activity Support for Clubs and Class Associations: Clubs can apply for seed funding of up to $1,500 to implement initiatives aimed at increasing participation among women and girls.

• RS Feva Women and Girls Project: In collaboration with Sailing Raceboats Australia, this program offers clubs discounted double-handed RS Feva boats to encourage participation, especially among teenage girls.

• Marketing Support for Clubs and Classes: New marketing templates and promotional tools will be available, along with webinars and one-on-one support to help clubs effectively engage women and girls.

• Women’s Charter and Club Resources: A suite of new tools, including an inclusive Women’s Charter and planning checklists, will help clubs create welcoming environments.

• Additional Equipment Support: Grants will be provided for modified or inclusive equipment, such as lifejackets and boards for various water sports, to broaden offerings for women and girls.

• Coaching Capability Uplift: This initiative aims to enhance coaching capacity and strengthen connections between clubs and coaches, focusing on programs for women and girls.

• Youth Sail and Female Leadership Visibility: Women Olympians and Australian Sailing Team members will mentor young sailors at Youth Sail events nationwide.

• SheSails National Conference and Events: The SheSails International Conference will take place on October 20, 2025, as part of the World Sailing Steering the Course global women’s sailing festival, alongside additional state-based events and webinars.

Sarah Ogilvie, Head of Sport Development and Growth for Australian Sailing, expressed pride in being part of the Play Our Way movement. “This funding enables us to scale what works, innovate where needed, and ensure women and girls across Australia have more opportunities to enjoy our sport,” she stated.

As Sail Our Way gains momentum, Australian Sailing looks forward to collaborating with clubs, classes, and communities to create more inclusive sailing experiences and share success stories from every corner of the country.

For more information about the Play Our Way program, visit health.gov.au/our-work/play-our-way-program.