Expression of Interest
Coaching Team – 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships – Vilamoura, Portugal
Event Dates: 12 – 20 December 2025
Expected availability (including travel): 10 – 23 December 2025
About the Event
The 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships (YSWC) will be held in Vilamoura, Portugal, from 12 to 20 December 2025. This event brings together some of the world’s best youth sailors across multiple classes, fostering international competition and valuable international experiences. For full event details, visit the official event website: worldsailingywc.org.
Australian Sailing is preparing to send a team of youth sailors to represent Australia in all classes: ILCA 6 (Male & Female), 29er (Male/Mixed and Female), 420 (Male/Mixed and Female), iQ Youth (Male & Female), Kitefoil (Male & Female), and Nacra 15 (Mixed). We are seeking up to three experienced coaches to join the team, providing quality coaching, support, and leadership to create a positive and developmentally appropriate environment for these young sailors.
We're looking for coaches who understand that this event is just one part of a young sailor’s broader journey in the sport. The role is about supporting their growth, both in sailing and beyond.
We particularly encourage Expressions of Interest from coaches who are involved in Club or Class Association coaching programs who are already helping to develop the next generation of youth sailors.
Coach Role and Key Responsibilities
Australian Sailing invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from suitably qualified and experienced sailing coaches (up to three positions available) to support selected Australian Youth Sailors at the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships.
Coaches will play a crucial role in:
- Providing coaching and daily planning throughout the event, with a focus on sailor development, learning, and creating a positive regatta experience.
- Supporting multiple sailors across multiple classes. Strong communication, adaptability, and empathy are essential to meet the varying needs of sailors at this stage of their journey.
Delivering daily feedback in a supportive, developmentally appropriate way that reflects each sailor’s individual goals and learning style.
- Collaborating closely with Australian Sailing management, the Team Leader, Lead Coach, class associations, event organisers, and other support personnel before, during, and after the event.
- Monitoring event notices and liaising with event officials as required.
- Connecting with each sailor’s regular coach and relevant state associations prior to the event to help ensure that you can provide cohesive support before, during, and after the regatta.
- Assisting with team travel logistics and helping sailors navigate both the event environment and international travel, while encouraging positive interactions with peers from around the world.
- Participating in team preparation activities, including:
- Team meetings
- Sailor education and event preparation webinars
- Prioritising sailor welfare and upholding safeguarding standards throughout.
- Submitting a post-event report to Australian Sailing within 30 days of return, including individual sailor summaries and a one-on-one debrief with AS management.
- Approaching the role as a growth opportunity by reflecting on your own coaching practice and seeking ways to further develop through the experience.
Coach Requirements
We’re looking for coaches who meet the following requirements:
Mandatory:
- Current Australian Sailing Coach accreditation.
- Valid Working with Children Check.
- Valid passport for international travel with at least six months’ validity remaining beyond your planned return date.
- Availability to attend and participate in any required pre-event activities and travel to and from Vilamoura.
- Completion of relevant online integrity and safeguarding modules.
- Proven ability to work effectively within a team environment to provide high-quality sailor support.
- Ability to meet any relevant government regulations for domestic and international travel.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to connect effectively with sailors, support personnel, and other stakeholders across multiple classes.
- Represents the team and Australian Sailing professionally at all times.
Desirable:
- Experience coaching in YSWC classes (e.g., ILCA 6, 29er, 420, Windfoil, Nacra 15, Formula Kite).
- Prior international regatta experience.
- Confident communicating with media if required.
Remuneration and Expenses
- Australian Sailing will manage all payments and arrangements for coaching roles. These costs are funded through the team’s overall event budget, supported by contributions from sailors and their families.
- All reasonable and approved expenses related to coaching duties—including flights, accommodation, ground transport, event entry fees, and corporate travel insurance covering unforeseen circumstances.
- Indicative daily rates for coaches are $400 per day. Final remuneration will be negotiated based on experience and the scope of the role.
Application Requirements
When submitting your Expression of Interest (EOI) via the online form accessible here, please ensure you have the following documents and information ready. Your application cannot be completed without these items:
- Current coaching resume (maximum two pages).
- Two coaching references that Australian Sailing may contact before finalising appointments.
- Copies of:
- Valid Working with Children Check.
- Australian Sailing Coach accreditation.
- Sport Integrity Australia certificates of completion for the following e-learning courses, which can be accessed here:
- Anti-Doping Fundamentals
- 2025 Annual Anti-Doping Update
- Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport in Induction.
- A statement listing up to four sailors you currently coach who have competed at national or international youth levels.
- Your preferred class(es) to coach at the 2025 Youth Sailing World Championships.
- Your expected daily remuneration.
- Available to travel on set dates with the team from Australia and return.
- Scanned copy of the photo ID page of your valid passport, showing full name, passport number, and expiry date. This is required for event entry, travel bookings, and team documentation. Please ensure your passport has at least six months’ validity beyond the team’s return date.
Key Dates
- EOI Closing Date: Sunday 31st August
- Notification of Selection: Week of 8th September
- Pre-event Requirements: TBC (October–December 2025) – Participation in team preparation activities, including online team meetings and sailor education and preparation webinars.
- Event Dates: 12–20 December 2025
- Expected Availability (including travel): 10–23 December 2025
Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Ian Leeson, Australian Sailing – National Participation Manager
Email: ian.leeson@sailing.org.au
Summary
Joining the 2025 Australian Youth Worlds team as a coach is a rewarding opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of Australian youth sailing. This role is about creating a positive environment that supports the holistic development of young sailors—both on and off the water.
This event is about more than just results. It offers young sailors the chance to gain international experience, build confidence, form lasting friendships, and explore new possibilities and opportunities.
We encourage all suitably accredited and experienced coaches who share this vision to apply and help foster an inclusive and supportive pathway for Australia’s youth sailors.
