Issue date
The Yachting New Zealand Excellence Awards held at the end of November offered up a great chance to celebrate the athletes, coaches, volunteers and others who represent the very best of our sport, and also those who have played a part in contributing to their success.
We recognised outstanding people across performance, sustainability, officiating and community service. On behalf of Yachting New Zealand, I want to acknowledge all those teams and individuals who received awards.
But these awards, and my engagement with members up and down the country in recent months, have shown me where excellence in sailing truly begins: in our clubs.
Clubs, and the individuals and families who bring them to life, are the heart of our sport. Almost every person who was recognised at the Excellence Awards would have got their start at a club. These communities have helped our award winners achieve excellence, by offering the support, encouragement and belief that is needed to achieve in any given field.
I'm still a relative newcomer to this role and this organisation. But it hasn't taken long for me to realise that excellence in sailing isn't just something that appears only on a race day, or at a regatta. It also shows up in our incredible volunteers; in our dedicated club administrators; and in the parents and families who pour so much of themselves into helping others succeed.
We're incredibly fortunate to have a community that gives generously, believes deeply, and lifts people up, whether it's for a first-time junior on the boat ramp or an elite athlete chasing medals on the world stage.
Yachting New Zealand is focused on strengthening the support we provide our clubs and members.
We're also lucky to be working with partners who bring genuine value to the table, with a well-established and highly regarded group of partners and sponsors who we value and appreciate. They're also striving for and demonstrating success which we are proud to be associated with. Thank you so much for your steadfast support - we do not take it for granted.
I want to make special mention of Peter Thompson and his Barfoot & Thompson team for their continued commitment to grassroots participation and for being naming rights sponsor for the Excellence Awards.
For Yachting New Zealand, we're extremely focused on strengthening the support we provide our clubs and members, ensuring they have the resources, tools and guidance to thrive, and creating the conditions where excellence can do the same.
At our recent AGM, I spoke about the need for Yachting New Zealand to sharpen our offer to better reflect the evolving needs of clubs and members right across the country.
The pressures on club committees and volunteers are increasing, and our support must evolve to keep pace with these realities. This is a real priority for us, and work is underway to ensure that we are engaging with clubs and capturing their views and voice more regularly.
Pursuing excellence also means investing in our athletes, with clear pathways, world-class coaching and a supportive environment where their potential can be realised without barriers. It means deepening our connection with the wider community, growing participation by making sailing more accessible, visible and inspiring to all New Zealanders.
Collaboration is key to getting us there. Together - clubs, athletes, volunteers, families, the wider marine sector and the Yachting New Zealand team - we can ensure that our sport's incredible achievements and legacies become stepping stones to continued success.
Kind regards,
Steve Armitage
