Queensland Women & Girls Upskill as Officials Project (2024–2025)

Officiating in sailing presents a unique set of challenges, and historically, there has been a low percentage of female representation in these roles. To address this, we launched a series of dedicated information sessions designed specifically for women and girls. The aim is to educate and guide them through the officiating pathway, helping volunteers gain the necessary knowledge and accreditation through Australian Sailing — all within a supportive, female-only environment. 

These sessions focus on delivering a clear, structured introduction to officiating, and offering a safe and welcoming space to begin their journey. Participants are supported through entry-level qualifications, enabling them to apply their newfound skills at their local sailing clubs or nearby events. 

We initially reached out to female club members, inviting them to attend mid-week evening sessions to explore whether officiating might appeal to them. Research has shown that women and girls often respond positively to inclusive, social learning experiences, which we incorporated into our format. 

We focused on two key officiating roles: Judge and Race Officer. The first session explored the Judge pathway, with a focus on becoming a Protest Committee Member — a role that involves handling racing protests and appeals. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Most had responded to email invitations rather than social media promotions and expressed that the female-only format was a major drawcard. Grace Murphy, an accredited Judge, joined the session to provide context and explanations, helping participants navigate the technical content and better understand the Racing Rules of Sailing. Many noted that without this support, the material could have felt overwhelming. 

The second session covered the Race Officer role, and attendee reactions mirrored those from the first group. This session, however, appeared to spark even more enthusiasm, with many expressing an interest in the practical aspects such as flag signals, timekeeping, and racecourse setup. Participants were excited about the hands-on potential of being on the water and found that this would greatly enhance their understanding of the eLearning component. The guided learning approach and shared sushi platter also contributed to a fun and engaging evening. 

With four sessions still to go, we’re hopeful that we’ve ignited a genuine interest in officiating roles among the women and girls who have joined us — helping to increase their presence in this vital part of our sport. 

A special thank you to Grace Murphy for her ongoing support and for sharing her expertise at each session, and to the Queensland Government for funding this invaluable initiative.