Women’s Sailing Charter

A Commitment to Gender Equity and Inclusion in Sailing 

Australian Sailing invites clubs and class associations across the country to join us in creating a more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible environment for women and girls in sailing. 

By becoming a signatory to the Women’s Sailing Charter, your club makes a public commitment to support gender equity and increase women’s participation and leadership in our sport. 

The Charter provides a flexible framework based on five key pillars from our national Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy. Whether you're a small regional club or a large metropolitan one, you can tailor your approach to suit your capacity, community, and goals—taking small steps or bold ones, at your own pace. 

Our Five Pillars of Commitment 

1. Environment 

• We will foster a safe, inclusive, and welcoming culture for women and girls at our club. 
• Encourage respectful behaviour 
• Create family-friendly, supportive environments 
• Promote male allyship 

2. Connection & Participation 

• We will explore ways to grow participation and engagement of women and girls in sailing. 
• Run inclusive and beginner-friendly programs 
• Offer flexible and affordable options 
• Use targeted outreach to engage new participants 

3. Leadership 

• We will support women in leadership and decision-making roles at our club. 
• Encourage balanced representation on committees 
• Support pathways into instructing, coaching, officiating, and governance 

4. Education & Awareness 

• We will promote a culture of respect, understanding and continuous learning. 
• Share learning resources with members 
• Use inclusive language and gender-aware policies 
• Raise awareness of equity principles at all levels of the club 

5. Visibility & Celebration 

• We will highlight and celebrate the contributions of women and girls in our club. 
• Share stories and images that inspire 
• Celebrate milestones and achievements 
• Promote female role models across the sailing community 

How Your Club Benefits 

The Women’s Sailing Charter is more than a pledge — it’s an investment in the future of your club. Benefits include: 

Increased Participation 
Attract more women and girls to your club by creating welcoming, inclusive entry points into sailing. A more diverse and vibrant membership base benefits everyone. 

Improved Retention 
Women and girls are more likely to stay involved when they feel supported, respected, and seen. A positive culture strengthens your community and volunteer base. 

Stronger Reputation 
Being a signatory shows that your club is progressive, inclusive, and aligned with the values of equity and fairness — helping attract new members, sponsors, and volunteers. 

Access to Tools and Resources 
Clubs receive practical tools, templates, case studies and SheSails promotional resources to make implementation easy and effective. 

Support from Australian Sailing 
You won’t be doing this alone. Our team is here to provide guidance and celebrate your progress every step of the way. 

Join a National Movement 
Be part of a growing network of clubs across Australia championing gender equity Shape 

Why Sign up to the Charter?
By agreeing to the Women’s Sailing Charter, you’re making a commitment to: 

• Advance gender equity in sailing 
• Create a culture where women and girls feel welcomed, supported, and seen 
• Be part of a national movement to transform sailing for future generations 

Support for Your Club
Australian Sailing will support your club with: 

• Ready-to-use checklists and templates 
• Case studies and examples from other clubs 
• Recognition of your work on the Australian Sailing website 
• Access to SheSails resources and national campaigns 
• Ongoing support and advice from our Grow and Local Club Support Teams 

Ready to Get Involved?
Every club’s journey toward gender equity looks different. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to lead the way, we’re here to help. 

Click Here to express your interest in becoming a signatory to the Women’s Sailing Charter