SheSAILS@NCYC

The SheSAILS@NCYC group encourages women and girls of all ages to try sailing through Women’s Sailing courses offered by the NCYC Sailing Academy, then progressing to our popular SheSAILS@NCYC Development Regatta, and getting involved in events where they can join a crew on one of the yachts racing at the club.

Women are often inspired when they can see people who are like themselves getting involved in sailing.

NCYC has a very positive culture. Women being actively involved in all aspects of sailing (participating, volunteering, officiating, instructing) is very much part of our Club.

Our Vision:
Empowering and connecting the women and girls of Newcastle through the community and sport of sailing.

Our Mission:

To empower and connect the women and girls of Newcastle with opportunities in sailing through:

Pathways: creating and promoting pathways for womens and girls participation and development in sailing to build confident and competent female sailors.
Connection: creating opportunities for women and girls to connect with the sailing community in Newcastle and beyond to build a sense of belonging, and open doors to new opportunities.
Inclusion: promoting and supporting the inclusion of women in all aspects of sailing, benefiting women’s health, wellbeing and sense of belonging in the community.

We hope to inspire women of all ages to step outside of their comfort zone, learn to sail and experience the physical, psychological, social and health benefits of the sport.

Womens Sailing Courses

Learn to sail with other women under the guidance of our Instructors.

Development Regatta

Build Your Skills with one of our Mentor Skippers

Open Regatta

Bring your own Team and Race in the Open Regatta!

Other Women’s Regattas

Other regattas & events around Australia supporting women’s sailing

Calendar of Events

Stay up to date with what’s on and what’s coming soon!

SheSAILS Learning Hub

A place to find information and links to keep learning

SheSAILS Study Group

Coming soon!

Get together with likeminded sailors to learn & study online courses

SheSAILS Merchandise

Represent, Promote and Identify!

Where did SheSAILS@NCYC Start?

Veteran Sydney to Hobart sailors, Jan Howard and Mary Holley, had a vision to get more women involved in the sport they love, sailing.

In 2010, based at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, they began taking women out on their yacht’s teaching them to sail in a supportive and encouraging environment surrounded by other like-minded women.

From these humble beginnings the group has evolved into SheSAILS@NCYC. This brand now incorporates formally recognised women’s sail training programs, involvement in regular club racing and the participation of all female crews in many successful regatta campaigns.

In 2019 the SheSAILS brand was adopted nationally by Australian Sailing under which all of the amazing sailing programs for women and girls around the country are now united with a common goal.

Mary Holley & Jan Howard winning the inaugural Australian Sailing National SheSAILS Award

SheSAILS@NCYC Committee

SheSAILS@NCYC is for all the women of NCYC and our supportive community.

SheSAILS@NCYC strategic plan 2025-2030

SheSAILS@NCYC activities are coordinated by the SheSAILS Committee with support from the club. Committee membership is by invitation to current female members of NCYC.

Committee Members as of March 2025, are:

Maureen Rae
Janease Graham
Nicole O’Donnell
Emily Sellens
Courtney Smith
Bronwen Crosby
Peta Rose

If you wish to get in touch with the Committee, you can email the sailingacademy@ncyc.net.au and we will pass on your message.