Applications for the 2027 BSA Sailing Program
The BSA Sailing Program supports young sailors from the Barwon Region, including the Bellarine and Western regions, with opportunities to develop their skills, physical preparation and understanding of the sport while progressing toward State, National and international representation.
In partnership with Royal Geelong Yacht Club and Australian Sailing, BSA provides athletes with sailing-specific development alongside strength and conditioning, athlete education and pathway support.
Develop your sailing. Build your pathway.
The BSA Sailing Program is designed for young sailors who are committed to developing their performance and want to understand what it takes to progress through the sport.
The program combines sailing-specific coaching and development with broader athlete support, helping sailors become more skilled, resilient and independent both on and off the water.
The program recognises the Sailing Victoria pathway and the opportunities available through Royal Geelong Yacht Club, Australian Sailing and the wider regional sailing community.
Our Sailing Program Philosophy
The goal of the BSA Sailing Program is to develop well-rounded, skilled and resilient young sailors who are equipped to progress through the sport — whether toward elite competition, lifelong participation or leadership roles.
The program focuses on:
- Skill development and progression
- Physical conditioning and preparation
- Mental resilience and race-day mindset
- Tactical decision-making
- Independence and discipline
- Goal setting
- Pathway integration
- Leadership and communication
- Safety and responsibility
- Enjoyment and long-term engagement with sailing
What You'll Develop
Sailing Skills
Build strong technical foundations in:
- Boat handling
- Sail trim
- Racing tactics
- Seamanship
- Racing rules
- Class-specific skills
- Decision-making on the water
Development is tailored to the athlete's sailing class and stage of development, with class-specific opportunities including Optimist, Open Bic, ILCA and 29er.
Tactical Development
Learn how to make better decisions on the water and respond to changing race conditions.
This includes:
- Racing tactics
- Strategic decision-making
- Reading conditions
- Competition awareness
- Problem solving
- Race-day preparation
Physical Development
Sailing requires strength, flexibility, endurance and the ability to maintain performance throughout competition.
BSA supports physical development through:
- Age-appropriate strength and conditioning
- Flexibility and mobility
- Endurance
- Recovery
- Injury prevention
- Understanding training loads
Mental Development
Develop the mindset and resilience required for training and competition, including:
- Focus
- Resilience
- Goal setting
- Race-day mindset
- Confidence
- Managing pressure
- Independent decision-making
High Performance Testing
Access to the BSA High Performance Testing Series, with two testing windows each year.
Athlete Profiling & Screening
Athlete profiling and musculoskeletal screening to help identify areas for development and support.
Goal Setting & Athlete Development Planning
Two goal-setting and Athlete Development Plan sessions to help establish priorities and track progress.
Your Sailing Pathway
BSA Sailing sits within the broader Australian Sailing pathway and the Victorian long-term athlete development framework.
The pathway progresses from foundational sailing through talent development and into elite competition.
Foundations → Talent → Elite → Mastery
At the Talent level, opportunities can include Youth Sail events, club racing, State Performance Programs and the Australian Sailing Futures Program.
At the Elite level, athletes can progress toward Australian Sailing Squads and Teams, with high-performance coaching, regatta planning and international competition.
BSA provides a regional pathway into this broader system, supporting athletes as they develop toward State, National and international opportunities.
More Than Sailing
Being a developing athlete is about more than what happens on the water.
BSA helps athletes understand how to prepare, train effectively, look after their bodies and take responsibility for their development.
Education includes:
- Goal setting
- Nutrition for competition
- Injury prevention
- Understanding your body and training loads
- Recovery
- Sports psychology and mindset
- Strength and conditioning
- Understanding the sailing pathway
- Insights from sailors, alumni and families
Athletes also have opportunities to take part in broader BSA education and Q&A sessions with alumni and elite athletes from multiple sports.
Safety, Responsibility & Life Skills
Sailing comes with unique responsibilities.
The program places an emphasis on:
- Water safety
- Risk awareness
- Equipment responsibility
- Emergency procedures
- Responsibility for teammates
- Environmental awareness
- Communication
- Leadership
The program philosophy also recognises the importance of balancing school, sport and the wider life of the athlete.
What's Included?
BSA Sailing membership provides access to sailing-specific development through Royal Geelong Yacht Club, alongside BSA's broader athlete development program.
Sailing Development
- Sailing-specific coaching and development
- Up to 6–8 off-water development sessions
- Access to sailing pathway information and opportunities
- Presentations and insights from elite and experienced sailors
- Additional opportunities through Sailing Victoria as they become available
BSA Athlete Support
Athletes also have access to:
- Strength and conditioning sessions
- Sport-specific S&C where appropriate
- Home-based S&C support through the Lumin App
- Athlete education
- BSA uniform items
- Selected member partnership benefits
- Supporting athlete services
Strength and conditioning is designed to complement the athlete's sailing program and seasonal competition demands.
Who Can Apply?
The BSA Sailing Program supports young sailors from the Barwon Region.
Applicants must:
- Be within the program's eligible age range
- Be affiliated with Royal Geelong Yacht Club or another association recognised by Australian Sailing
- Reside in the Barwon Region
- Commit to training, competitions and development programs
- Demonstrate performance in Australian Sailing-sanctioned events
- Demonstrate potential for State or National selection
The selection process also recognises athletes who demonstrate strong development potential and commitment to progressing through the sport.
What Are We Looking For?
Selection considers both performance and potential.
Performance
Consistent high-standard performance at Australian Sailing-sanctioned events.
Development Potential
Your capacity to continue progressing within your sailing class and pathway.
Coachability
Your willingness to listen, learn and apply feedback.
Attitude & Commitment
Your approach to training, competition and ongoing development.
Pathway Progression
Selection can consider State and National team involvement, recommendations from coaches and clubs, and qualification for recognised World Championship events.
How Selection Works
Applications are reviewed through a selection process involving the BSA Program Manager, sailing coaches, Royal Geelong Yacht Club representatives and Australian Sailing officials.
Athlete performance, recommendations from partner clubs and coaches, and pathway potential are considered as part of the process.
The selection process can also recognise athletes who demonstrate potential beyond the standard selection criteria.
Successful and unsuccessful applicants are notified by email.
Program Leadership
Program Manager & Head Coach
Tony Bull
0438 212 930
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Tony works with Royal Geelong Yacht Club, BSA and pathway partners to support the development and progression of BSA Sailing athletes.
