Issue date
Yachting and boating clubs remain highly valued by their members across New Zealand, with this year's Voice of the Participant survey showing strong results in several key areas.
The survey, conducted in March and April in conjunction with Sport New Zealand, provided an opportunity for members to share their views on the state of the sport in the country and to celebrate the many successes of our clubs.
The previous survey was conducted in 2021, and Yachting New Zealand has spent the past few years incorporating much of the feedback received into its national programmes.
This year's results are very similar to those from three years ago, indicating that overall, club members remain positive about the club environment.
Two-thirds (66 per cent) of respondents were very or extremely satisfied with their overall club experience. This is comparable to the average across all sports surveyed (65 per cent) but slightly below the 2021 result (69 per cent).
Almost four in five people (79 per cent) perceive good value for money from their yacht club (compared to 75 per cent for all sports), which is broadly in line with previous results.
Eighty-seven per cent of respondents intend to renew their yacht club membership next year, a rate higher than the all-sports average (84 per cent). Additionally, six in 10 respondents generally speak positively about their yacht club, with the net promoter score (NPS) at +43, in line with the all-sports average of +44.
Raynor Haagh, Yachting New Zealand's national sport development director, said this year's survey was a timely way to gauge the health of sailing by those at its core.
"Our clubs continue to do excellent work, despite an extremely challenging few years for many of our members," Haagh said.
"We are in the process of finalising our strategic priorities for the next four years, and the feedback from survey participants will help our clubs and Yachting New Zealand identify emerging trends to ensure we keep our fingers on the pulse of the sailing and boating community."
Raynor Haagh, Yachting New Zealand's national sport development director.
Haagh was particularly encouraged by the high score among female respondents, with around seven in 10 responding positively to each of the three gender equality statements.
"As always, there are areas where we can improve, and these will be a focus for us over the coming months and years."
These include improving sailor development programmes and better facilities.
Nearly all (94 per cent) of young people (and parents of young sailors) surveyed feel that the coach supports young people in growing confidence, while eight in 10 (85 per cent) respondents of all ages feel that the club provides a supportive and encouraging environment.
Yachting New Zealand is now working with Sport New Zealand to create a shorter version of the survey targeting our sailing community under 25.
"These sailors haven't been prevalent in the Voice of the Participant survey data to date and we would like to know from them whether they are having quality sailing experiences at clubs and in regattas, and if they are receiving quality sailor development through their club coaching programme," Haagh said.
"Having a better understanding of what they would like to see is essential to the future health of our sport at the grassroots."
For more information on the latest VOP survey results, please contact your local regional development manager.
