Club & Program Handbook · Chapter 1

About Sailability Victoria & Affiliation

Who we are, what we believe about inclusive sailing, and what it means for your club or program to affiliate with Sailability Victoria.

Who is Sailability Victoria?

Our philosophy is simple: everyone should have access to the sport of sailing. We support the goal of inclusion — providing opportunities for all people to take part in the most appropriate way possible, regardless of skill level or physical, sensory or intellectual ability.

While our focus is on people living with disability, we encourage every club and program to build inclusive sailing that welcomes their whole local community. Sailability Victoria is the peak body and umbrella organisation for affiliated Sailability programs across Victoria, and is run largely by volunteers.

Our mission & objectives

“Sailability programs shall be available to an increasing number of communities, to introduce people of all ages and abilities to the joys of sailing in an easy to understand, fun and inexpensive way, and within a supportive environment.”

Our key objectives

As the peak organisation, Sailability Victoria works to:

1. Support sustainable programs — stay focused on the long-term sustainability of programs across Victoria and provide resources clubs and programs can actually use.
2. Secure ongoing funding — seek sources of funding to support key operational and strategic initiatives.
3. Keep inclusion central — integrate people with disability into the mainstream of sailing, including working with Australian Sailing on inclusive learn-to-sail programs and pathways.
4. Grow participation — increase participation across the spectrum, from purely recreational sailing through to all levels of competition.
5. Build development pathways — expand opportunities for sailors of all abilities in both racing skills and coaching.
6. Partner effectively — develop and maintain strong working relationships with key partners, particularly Australian Sailing, the class associations, and interstate Sailability programs.

What is inclusion?

Inclusion means ensuring all individuals are equally supported, valued and respected. It is best achieved by creating an environment where people feel welcomed, safe and able to fully take part and contribute. Belonging is the outcome of conscious inclusion — recognising, respecting and valuing the individual differences that make each person who they are.

In sailing, inclusion covers the full range of ways to be involved: participating, volunteering, administering and leading the sport. It often calls for adaptations to existing programs and practices — sometimes a small on-the-spot adjustment, sometimes careful planning with a range of people — to remove disadvantage for people of all abilities.

Why inclusion is good for your club

Being inclusive delivers real benefits, including:

• Long-term sustainability of the club
• A larger membership, volunteer and participant base
• Expanded sponsorship opportunities
• A stronger, more connected community and better public perception
• Greater consistency in achieving club goals, and a richer club culture

Include your whole community

Consider strategies to welcome people from across your community, including culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of all ages.

Three models of accessible sailing programs

Accessible programs in Australia generally take one of three shapes. There is no single “right” model — choose what fits your club:

Models of accessible sailing programs

Model	How it works
1. Stand-alone Sailability program	Promoted at the club but generally run separately — often sailing on different days to the club’s regular activities.
2. Integrated Sailability program	An integral part of what the club does. Sailability sailors and volunteers are recognised as club members (sometimes with a fee concession) and generally sail in normal club activities.
3. Inclusive sailing	No separate “Sailability” branding — the club simply has inclusion policies and practices, using Universal Design equipment within regular training and racing. Participants are involved but not separately identified.

What does affiliation mean?

Sailability Victoria is the umbrella organisation for all affiliated Sailability programs in Victoria. When a program applies for affiliation, it agrees to follow the administrative procedures recommended by Sailability Victoria. In return, affiliation brings a set of rights and a set of responsibilities.

Your rights & privileges

• A voice — one vote per branch on the Sailability Victoria Committee, through a Program Delegate.
• Support — access to the Sailability Victoria Executive Committee for advice and guidance.
• Funding access — sponsorship and grant opportunities (subject to availability).
• Tax-deductible fundraising — the ability to fundraise through Sailability Victoria’s DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status.
• Systems & tools — use of Sailability Victoria’s RevSport and Microsoft applications for records and communications, including a dedicated email address for your program.

Your responsibilities & obligations

• Provide documentation for any grant money received from Sailability Victoria.
• Keep accurate records of volunteer and sailor participation.
• Pay the annual affiliation fee.
• Share knowledge with other Sailability Victoria programs to promote and develop best-practice programs.

Becoming a Sailability club

Sailability Victoria is made up of affiliated clubs and programs — there is no individual membership of Sailability Victoria itself. If your centre, yacht club or community group is keen to start or affiliate a Sailability program, we’d love to hear from you.

Membership categories for your program

Separate from affiliation with Sailability Victoria, each affiliated branch (or its host club) sets its own membership structure and fees for the people who sail with it, based on local circumstances. The categories below are a guide only — pick and adapt what suits your program.

Suggested membership categories (indicative fees are a guide only)

Category	What it includes	Personal accident insurance?	Typical fee
Casual Sailor	One sailing session. Covered under Public Liability insurance. Can often be arranged via SailPass at your host club.	No	~$5 donation
Individual Branch Member	Participation in the branch’s regular program at no extra fee, plus voting rights at the branch AGM.	Yes	~$50–$80 / year
Family Membership	Covers additional family members at a reduced rate. Consider a broad definition (grandparents, aunts/uncles, and children/youth through to the end of study).	Yes	~$100–$150 / year
Group / Corporate Membership	Lets an organisation (e.g. a disability support group or special school) enrol a number of participants for the year.	Yes	~$200–$500
Associate Member	For supporters not involved as participants or volunteers; receive regular communications.	No	~$10–$20
Volunteer Member	Discounted membership for volunteers, who receive regular communications.	Yes	~$0–$20
Corporate Supporter	Annual financial support from a company or community organisation; may be acknowledged on newsletters, banners, a sponsor’s board or boats.	No	~$200–$1,000 / year