2027 National Youth Squad

2027 Australian Sailing National Youth Squad

The Australian Sailing National Youth Squad is a national development program that supports youth sailors who demonstrate potential, commitment, and a desire to progress within the sport toward high-performance. The program is focused on domestic development and aims to equip sailors with the habits, mindset, and tools for long-term success.

The AS National Youth Squad aims to:

Support the development of high-potential youth sailors
Build consistency in learning, preparation, and reflection habits
Promote a collaborative national culture among sailors, coaches, clubs, and classes
Develop stronger alignment between club and class coaching and youth participation across Australia
Expand opportunities for sailor depth charting by Australian Sailing Performance Pathway staff and provide additional coach development opportunities nationally.

The program is not a replacement for regular club or class coaching, it complements these by offering structured opportunities across physical, technical, and psychological development, while also building a connected, performance-minded national community of sailors and coaches.

Eligibility & Development Focus

The Australian Sailing National Youth Squad is for sailors under 19 years of age (as of 31 December in the year of selection) and in the case of the ILCA 4 (female and under the age of 17 as at the 31 December in the year of selection). To be considered sailors should be actively training and competing in one of the following Classes: 420, 29er, ILCA 6, ILCA 4, Nacra 15, iQFOiL, Kitefoil.

Sailors should demonstrate a commitment to training and development, a desire to be part of a connected, performance-minded community, and a willingness to learn and contribute in a team environment.

Sailors in the program are encouraged to foster a commitment to the following key qualities, which form the foundation of our development approach throughout the program:

Good Racers
Squad-minded
Curious Learners
Physically and Mentally Capable
Committed to Developing as Skilled Sailors

Selection

Sailors will be invited to join the Australian Sailing National Youth Squad in accordance with the Selection Guidelines. Offers will be made to sailors via email at the conclusion of the selection process, this is anticipated to be February 2027 for all classes, except the Nacra 15 class where offers will be made early April 2027 after the completion of the Nacra 15 selection regatta..
To accept an offer, sailors must commit to participating in all Australian Sailing National Youth Squad activities throughout 2027.

Selection Criteria and Process:

Download 2027 Australian Sailing National Youth Squad Selection Guidelines (PDF)

Program Inclusions

The Australian Sailing National Youth Squad includes a structured calendar of development activities designed to support long-term sailor progression. The following touchpoints are included in the Program cost:

2027 Australian Sailing National Youth Squad Activities
Activity	Timing	Details
National Performance Camp	TBC - 9-11 April 2027	Three-day residential camp at the AIS in Canberra. Includes goal setting, cross-class development, sports performance education and squad culture. Fully inclusive – flights, accommodation, meals, transfers and all activities are covered in the program fee.
Class specific Technical Camps	July–Dec 2027	Up to two technical coaching activities led by the appointed Youth Squad Coach. Locations and formats will be determined following squad selection in consultation with selected sailors to maximise participation and minimise travel. Sailors are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and logistics.
Online Webinars	Monthly July–Nov 2027	Delivered by Class Coaches, Performance Pathways Coaches or other relevant presenters. Covers topics such as; mindset, physical prep, reflective learning, and planning.
Sailor & Wellbeing Development Program	April-Dec 2027	An optional program that complements the technical activities by supporting sailors in their personal development. Includes Individual Development Plans (IDPs), educational workshops, bi-yearly check-ins and resources focused on wellbeing, leadership and life skills. Sailors may engage with the program as much or as little as they choose.

Sailor Contribution: $1,500 This covers:

Full AIS Performance Camp (all-inclusive)
Coaching at all Class-Specific Technical Coaching Activities
All online webinars and learning resources
Optional Sailor Wellbeing & Development Program
Program management, planning and coordination

Youth Squad Coaches

Led by the Youth Pathways Head Coach, each class will have an appointed Youth Squad Coach responsible for leading class-specific technical coaching activities and working closely with sailors, Class Associations and club coaches to ensure alignment, consistency and progression through the Youth Pathway.

Australian Sailing Performance Pathway staff may also attend selected activities to support both sailor and coach development.