Focussing on Quality Experiences to grow participation at your Discover Sailing Centre.

Training In Focus: Live

Training in Focus: Live is Australian Sailing’s biennial development event for Instructors, Discover Sailing Centre Principals, and Administrators. Held every two years, it brings together the national Discover Sailing Centre network in each State and Territory for a mix of practical workshops, guest speakers, and opportunities to share ideas, challenges, and successes. 

The 2025 Australian Sailing Training in Focus Webinar Series kicks off on 5^th August 2025. The webinar series aims to bring in all Dinghy, Keelboat, Powerboat and Windsurfing instructors together for 4 great sessions, covering a wide range of content.  

These webinars are designed to support accredited instructors who are working or volunteering in club programs. Stay up to date with new e-learning courses, hear from current instructors on their day-to-day experiences and hear from outside experts on ways we can make our instructing more inclusive, hear from experts on ways we can make our programs better through inclusive instructing. 

The sessions are a chance to connect with instructors from around the country, exchange experiences, and take away useful approaches for working with your own participants.  

The first session kicks off on Tuesday 5^th August 2025.

Webinar: Leading by Example

• Date: Tuesday 5 August 2025
• Time: 7pm AEST
• Presenters: Grant Willmott (National Participation Officer) and Emily Vivian (2023/24 Instructor of the Year)

During this first webinar, we’ll hear from two leading professionals in the 'Learn to Sail' space. Grant Willmott, who has worked as a club support officer for many years in Queensland and is now working in the Sport Development & Growth department on the Sail Our Way Project, and has been all over the state observing different centres. Then Emily Vivian, current instructor at Humpybong Yacht Club, where they run the dinghy and powerboat program at a high level, where we saw Emily take out the national Instructor award last year.  

Watch online

Webinar: Utilising Instructor Resources

• Date: Tuesday 26 August 2025
• Time: 7pm AEST
• Presenters: Craig Ferris (Club Support Officer NSW/Chief Powerboat Instructor), Chris Goldacre (Chief Dinghy Instructor) and Nickie Jones (Chief Keelboat Instructor)

This session is all about utilising the instructor resources for all programs. Our resources are ever changing and growing as we continue to deliver best practice across the board, so hear about new and exciting developments. Learn about the big changes to our online e-learning portal, with discussions about how we can also use these to assist in our teaching.  

REGISTER HERE

Webinar: Considerations for Teaching Neurodiverse Participants

• Date: Tuesday 16 September 2025
• Time: 7pm AEST
• Presenters: Sue Phillips (National Participation and Inclusion Coordinator)

Did you know 1 in 5 people process information differently? 

We’ve partnered with AMAZE to create helpful resources for sailing instructors and coaches working with neurodivergent participants, particularly children. 

Join us for a practical session led by consultants with lived experience. You'll gain useful strategies and greater awareness to help ensure your sailing lessons are inclusive and supportive for everyone particularly neurodivergent children and adults.   

REGISTER HERE

Webinar: Child Safety Practicalities - Running an Inclusive Session

• Date: Tuesday 7 October 2025
• Time: 7pm AEST
• Presenters: Michael Arnold (National Officiating and Integrity Lead)

In our final webinar, we hear from Michael Arnold, who will discuss areas of interest around child safety. An ever growing and changing field where a lot of us are on the front line with child learn to sail participants. Learn about updates to clarify existing requirements, ensuring compliance with state/territory regulations and best practice risk management. 

REGISTER HERE