Woollahra Sailing Club acknowledges that we are on the land of the Birrabirragal people, the traditional custodians of the land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Woollahra Sailing Club Review and Strategic Plan
Published 13:57 on 15 Dec 2025
Dear Members,
Your Board is pleased to confirm the next steps in the Strategic Planning process, which was announced at Club's AGM in October 2025. A draft report will be presented in the new year. Member and staff input will be key throughout this process, which will commence with an independent external review.
The Club is in a good position with strong growth in our junior and youth sailing programs and stability and continuity within the Board. This provides a strong foundation for long-term planning. In an environment where sailing clubs are facing increasing challenges being proactive is critical to address ongoing structural and cultural change.
The recent National Participation Review by Australian Sailing highlights the need for clubs to adapt to changing lifestyles, strengthen the member experience, and build sustainable pathways for participation. Our Strategic Planning process will help ensure the Club develops a forward-looking and sustainable plan to guide us confidently through the next five to ten years.
We are pleased to confirm the engagement of two highly experienced consultants with deep knowledge of sailing, community sport, and high-performance environments: Phil Jones most recently CEO of Paddle Australia, CEO Athletics & CEO Australian Sailing and Elise Rechichi Strategic Consultant and Olympic Gold Medallist (470 Class). This project will commence prior to Christmas, with an initial update and member feedback opportunity scheduled for February 2026.
Overview of the Review and Next Steps - The review will be delivered across three key phases to develop a robust 35-year rolling Strategic Plan for WSC. The approach combines data analysis, commercial review, and meaningful stakeholder engagement, ensuring the final plan reflects the needs and aspirations of our members.
Phase 1: Comprehensive Audit and Operational Review
This foundational phase focuses on gathering accurate information and assessing current operations. Key areas include: Commercial Review, Sailing School Programs and Operational Delivery, Other Programs and Activities delivered by WSC and Governance and Management Structures
Phase 2: Member Consultation and Feedback
Member input is critical to shaping the future of WSC. This phase provides multiple opportunities to engage meaningfully and share ideas. Consultation will include: Online Member Survey and Targeted Focus Groups. This inclusive consultation process ensures that the strategic plan reflects a diverse range of experiences, expectations, and aspirations from across our membership.
Phase 3: Strategic Plan Development
Building on insights from Phases 1 and 2, this phase will define WSC's long-term direction, focusing on Strategic Pillars for Growth, Sailing School Development, Member Programs and Experience, Member Benefits (e.g., storage and access arrangements), Revenue Diversification, Governance and Management Frameworks
Output: A comprehensive Final Report and Strategic Plan (Early May 2026), supported by a 1-year Operational Action Plan to guide immediate implementation.
We look forward to having you as part of this planning process. The Board believe this is a timely and important investment in the Club's future. We strongly encourage all members to participate in the consultation activities as they arise and help shape the direction of WSC for the next decade.
If you have any questions, please contact Paul Bruce, Acting General Manager.
On behalf of the WSC Board
Matthew Moore
Commodore
Last updated 13:59 on 15 December 2025