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Noakes Group Backs the Next Generation in Major Youth Sailing Partnership
Published Fri 11 Sep 2026
Australian Sailing has today announced Noakes Group as its new Official Youth Sailing Partner, committing its support to the development of young sailors across Australia from grassroots participation and emerging talent through to national youth teams on the world stage.
The landmark partnership will see Noakes Group become the naming partner across Australian Sailing’s key youth programs, including the Noakes Group Australian Sailing Youth Squad and Noakes Group Australian Youth Sailing World Championships Team.
The partnership will also see the introduction of the Noakes Group Female Youth Sailor of the Year and Noakes Group Male Youth Sailor of the Year Awards, replacing the current singular Youth Sailor of the Year Award category. The inaugural national winner will be announced this year, with the changes flowing through to the State Awards from 2027.
The announcement comes as Australian Sailing places an increased and dedicated focus on strengthening youth sailing and creating clearer, better-connected systems for young sailors across the country.
Australian Sailing Director Olivia Price and Noakes Group Managing Director Sean Langman
The partnership with Noakes Group will provide additional support for this work, including the newly established Australian Sailing Youth Pathways Team and the recently announced Youth Pathways Coach, who will play a key role in supporting the development of young sailors and strengthening connections between clubs, classes, coaches and Australian Sailing’s national programs.
Australian Sailing CEO Malcolm Page OAM said the partnership represented a major commitment to the future of the sport.
“Young sailors are the future of Australian sailing, and this partnership is about giving them the support, opportunities and systems they need to reach their potential and, importantly, to enjoy a lifelong connection with our sport,” Page said.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome Noakes Group as our Official Youth Sailing Partner. This is about much more than supporting a team or a single event. It is about investing in young sailors across Australia and creating an environment where talented and passionate young people can thrive.”
Noakes Group Managing Director Sean Langman said the partnership was an opportunity to invest directly in the future of the sport.
“Sailing has given so much to generations of Australians, and we want to help make sure the next generation has every opportunity to experience the sport, develop their skills and chase their ambitions,” Langman said.
“There is enormous talent and enthusiasm among young sailors across Australia. We are proud to stand alongside Australian Sailing, the clubs, classes and coaches supporting these young people and to play our part in building the future of Australian sailing.”
From emerging sailors developing their skills at clubs and class events through to the Noakes Group Australian Youth Sailing World Championships, the partnership will support young sailors at multiple stages of their development.
The announcement marks an important new chapter in Australian Sailing’s commitment to youth development and its ambition to build a stronger, more sustainable future for sailing in Australia.
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