Congratulations to our finalists for the 2025 NSW & ACT Sailing Awards!

A record number of nominations have been submitted by clubs and members from across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. These include sailors who are performing at a high level around Australia and internationally, volunteers who put in incredible hours to help their club community, professionals who work in our sport, and promoters who ensure that sailing is seen and made accessible for all.

Australian Sailing thanks the members of the NSW & ACT Regional Advisory Committees who took the time to review and judge the award nominations.

Winners for all categories will be announced at the NSW & ACT Sailing Awards Presentation. The Awards Presentation will be held at St George Sailing Club, on Saturday 20th September, from 6:30pm.

Join us to celebrate all finalists by purchasing your ticket here.

NSW & ACT Sailing Award Finalists – 2025 

Female Sailor of the Year 

  • Annie Wilmot – RSYS  
  • Bridget Conrad – WSC  
  • Natasha Bryant – RPAYC  
  • Sylvie Stannage – HHSC  

Male Sailor of the Year  

  • Grae Morris – WSC  
  • James Mayo – RSYS/RPEYC  
  • Nathan Outteridge – WASC  
  • Tom Slingsby – GSC  

Team of the Year 

  • John Sanderson & Sarah Plunkett 
  • Andoo Team Australia Challenge – Olivia Price & Cole Tapper  
  • Smuggler Racing Team (TP52) – Sebastian Bohm 
  • Team Magpie – James Mayo, Graeme Taylor, Ben Lamb, Richard Allanson 

Youth Sailor of the Year 

  • Healy Ryan – DBSC 
  • Joel Beashel – B16’s/CYCA/M16’SSC/SLMASC
  • Louis Tilly – RPAYC 

Para Sailor of the Year 

  • Len Snowdon – AHCA/Sailability NSW 
  • Michael Katzakis – AHCA/Sailability NSW 
  • Sarah Plunkett – DAC/Sailability NSW 

Instructor of the Year 

  • Dennis Hume – NCYC  
  • Makenzie Mayne – LC12’SSC 
  • Scott Reynolds – SVSP  

Official of the Year 

  • Alex Palmer – DSC  
  • Ken Semple – NCYC  

Volunteer of the Year 

  • Ben Howell – HHSC  
  • James Hunter – MWF/CYCA 
  • John Whitfeld – MWF/CYCA 
  • Julia Hornsby – RPAYC  

SheSails Award 

  • Eleanor Cunningham – LMYC  
  • Emily McCutcheon – RPAYC  
  • Helly Hansen Women’s Challenge – MYC 
  • Katie Spithill – RPAYC  

Sport Promotion Award 

  • Making Waves Foundation 
  • Mark Rothfield – Promocean Media 
  • Nicole Douglass – Adventures of a Sailor Girl 

Lifetime Achievement Award 

  • Bruce Davis – MYC  
  • Ian MacDiarmid – RSYS 
  • John Kirkjian – CYCA/RSYS 
  • Ted Anderson – RPAYC  

Club of the Year – Category A 

  • Lake Macquarie Yacht Club 
  • Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club 
  • Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club 

Club of the Year – Category B 

  • Carcoar Dam Sailing Club 
  • Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club 
  • Saltwater Veterans Sailing Project 

The Coach of the Year and Sport Professional Awards will be announced at the Awards Presentation.