Issue date
Yachting New Zealand is calling on all youth sailors aged 11 to 18 to make their voices heard by completing the first-ever Voice of the Youth survey before it closes on May 16.
The nationwide initiative, in collaboration with Sport New Zealand, has been running for the past month and aims to capture the experiences of young sailors from across the country over the past year. The insights will help shape the future of youth sailing in New Zealand.
"This is the first time a survey of this kind has targeted youth sailing," said Raynor Haagh, Yachting New Zealand’s national sport development director. "It will give us baseline data and help direct where we can be doing more, whether that’s around coach development, club support or regatta experiences. We will share a report of the results with clubs and class associations."
The short online survey, which takes just 6 to 8 minutes to complete, is anonymous and open to all youth sailors, regardless of class or location. Sailors under 14 will need parental consent to take part, which is granted by ticking a permission box at the start of the survey.
Importantly, Yachting New Zealand wants to hear directly from the sailors themselves.
"We appreciate the honesty and openness our young sailors have already shown," Haagh said. “We want to ensure as many sailors as possible have their voices heard.”
All participants who complete the survey will go in the draw to win one of two one-on-one mentoring sessions with an NZL Sailing Team member, along with exclusive NZL Sailing Team merchandise.
"We're urging all young sailors who haven’t yet completed the survey to take a few minutes and do so before May 16,” Haagh said. “It’s your chance to help shape the future of our sport.”
The survey can be accessed here.
For any questions about the survey, email VOP@sportnz.org.nz.
