Race officer graduates set to boost Victorian sailing

- New Victorian Go Sailing & Boating program delivers 23 on water officials

The first 23 race officers to graduate from the recently launched Victorian State Government funded Go Sailing and Boating training program were presented with certificates and smart red Helly Hansen all weather officials jackets at the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria on Monday 18th June 2007.

Mr Ross Kilborn CEO of Yachting Victoria(which is managing the program) told the race officers, “Your graduation is an important precedent as you are the back bone of our sport. We want you to be revered by your club and national sailing colleagues just like other sports that respect and hold in high esteem their umpires and officials.
“The superior quality of Victorian sailing’s race management is well recognised through out Australia and internationally and that’s why we are able to attract so many world class events.
“By the start of this season we expect to have trained and qualified more than 60 new country, regional and metro race officers and have signed over 40 clubs across the state into the new program, which far exceeds the Go Sailing program’s goals.”

This will place Yachting Victoria on track to be able to fully staff a multitude of international, national and state events including Sail Melbourne and Skandia Geelong Week.

Increasing demand for race officers
Johnny Rodgers the Program’s Manager says, “The demand for race official continues to increase as local club run yacht races now require a minimum of four boats with trained crews to set the course, execute starts, judge finishes, do results and provide safety cover.
More complicated national and international events need up to 16 boats with more highly trained and experienced crew to set and move courses, execute starts and finishes, carry judges, media and provide safety cover.”

Stage two of the Go Sailing and Boating
Stage two of the Go Sailing and Boating program includes attracting and training new instructors and developing several coaching programmes. Following next year’s Skandia Geelong Week in January, Yachting Victoria will be conducting its first ever international race officer’s course at Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

Victorian Go Sailing & Boating program at a glance
The $400,000 State Government funded Go Sailing & Boating program is available to all clubs at no cost and it is designed to establish a stronger grass roots base for the future growth of member clubs and the sport through state wide training of race officers, instructors and coaches.
It is being managed by Yachting Victoria and it is about growing grass roots capacity first to develop sailing for planned future success through an expanded foundation of increased participation, increased skills and attracting more qualified volunteers.

More Info:  www.yachtingvictoria.com.au
Johnny Rodgers – Program Manager Ph 03 9597 0066 - Button 4          JRodgers@yachtingvictoria.com.au
Media:   Mike Sabey – Sabey & Associates                 Ph 9533 8030    Mob 0418 354 732