Townsville Sailing Club is one of two winners of Australian Sailing’s "Host an Olympian" competition that took place during the 2024 Olympics. This unique initiative aims to connect Olympians and Olympic Coaches with local sailing communities, fostering inspiration and learning across the sport. As part of the prize, Paris 2024 Olympian Jim Colley will visit the club on 15 February for an unforgettable day of sailing excellence.

Jim Colley, who represented Australia in the Men’s Skiff (49er Class) at the Paris 2024 Olympics, will deliver a sailing masterclass, engage in a meet-and-greet, and lead an interactive Q&A session with club members. The event promises to be an invaluable experience, allowing aspiring sailors to gain insights from one of Australia’s top sailing talents.

Jim Colley speaking at NSW Youth Weekend

Speaking about the upcoming visit, Colley expressed his excitement, "It’s an incredible honour to connect with the sailing community at Townsville Sailing Club. Sharing my Olympic journey and experiences is something I look forward to, and I hope to inspire the next generation of sailors. The passion and enthusiasm I’ve seen in our sailing clubs are what fuel the future of this sport."

Townsville Sailing Club ambassador John Byrne shared their enthusiasm for the event, "Our Club members are eager to hear from Olympian Jim Colley. Visiting Olympians always inspire new sailors to dream about what might be possible for them. Jim started sailing in junior dinghies just like our youth do here on The Strand, as did local Olympian Brianna Whitehead."

Australian Sailing’s High Performance Director, Iain Brambell will also be joining Colley for the Townsville visit. Brambell commented on the initiative, "Competitions like ‘Host an Olympian’ are pivotal in building strong connections between our Olympians and the broader sailing community. This engagement inspires young sailors and Olympians alike, strengthening the pathway toward Brisbane 2032 and beyond.”

Olympians at QLD Youth Week

Brambell added, “Olympic sailors all commence their journeys and love for sailing within sailing clubs, and the Australian Sailing Team will continue to seek and grow opportunities for Olympians and national team members to recognise and celebrate the invaluable role that local clubs play within an athlete’s Olympic journey."

The "Host an Olympian" initiative serves as a bridge between elite sportsmanship and grassroots enthusiasm and Townsville Sailing Club’s upcoming day with Jim Colley is set to be a memorable milestone in their sailing journey.