Australian Sailing has taken a step towards securing the next generation of sailing champions with the launch of the Performance Pathway Futures Program.

The purpose of this new nationally-led program is to identify and develop high potential sailors, currently transitioning between Pathways and Olympic classes, aiming to earn their place within the Australian Sailing Squad. Australian Sailing is seeking the best and brightest athletes and coaches in Australia to apply for their place within the program.  The program will consist of a series of national camps integrating quality high performance coaching and targeted performance support services aligned to the athlete’s individual performance plans.

All selected athletes and coaches will join together for a team building camp in Runaway Bay, QLD in late April, 2021. The purpose of the camp is to induct the athletes and coaches within the Performance Pathways system and commence the process of accelerating athlete development. The camp will also set the standards, culture and expectations in a collaborative environment.

The Futures program will encompass the Laser Std, Laser Radial, Windfoil, Mixed Kite Foil, Mixed 470 and an aggregated Fast Boat (FX/49er/Nacra) classes. We have already selected the Nacra team and coach as our pilot program in late 2020 and it is currently operating. The wider Futures program will be run over 4 - 5 technical camps at various locations across Australia with the Fast Boat teams having additional training blocks primarily located at Lake Macquarie, NSW.

The program has been made possible by the generous funding support provided by the AIS and is aligned with the priorities identified in the new AS HP Strategy, towards the Paris 2024 and LA 2028 Olympic Games.

If you are a coach/athlete/parent/staff and would like to understand more about the Futures Program, please register your interest for a webinar on the 11th February, 2021.

If you are an athlete transitioning between youth to Olympic classes and would like to be considered for the Futures program, please apply here.

If you are a coach who is interested in expressing an interest in coaching in the Futures program, please apply here.

The program will be led by Ashley Brunning – Performance Pathway Manager with operational support from Lesley Fasala – National Pathways Coordinator.

If you have any queries or questions please contact Ash or Lesley via email in the first instance.

For more information on the Performance Pathway, please visit the Australian Sailing Team website.