Australia’s sailing future looks even brighter

Australia’s Olympic and Paralympic sailors will be given even more support to aim for gold and chart a course to success with the stage two upgrade of the National Training Centre in Sydney, the Minister for Sport Kate Lundy announced yesterday.

Senator Lundy visited the training centre at the Middle Harbour Yacht Club to formally launch the $1.3 million redevelopment funded by a Federal Government grant which will improve training facilities for our sailors and fully integrate the Olympic and Paralympic programs.

“Our sailors achieved outstanding results at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and this redevelopment funded by the Gillard Government will ensure they remain on course to win gold in Rio and pursue continued success on the water,” Senator Lundy said.

“The team’s outstanding achievements at the London Games were a direct result of the hard work and determination of our athletes, coaches and support staff. But we know that there’s still room to give our sailors a boost on the water and ensure smooth sailing to Rio in 2016.

“Stage two of the development funded by the Gillard Government will ensure our sailors have world-class facilities and they continue to have a competitive edge that places them ahead of the international sailing pack.”

Senator Lundy said the first phase of the Middle Harbour Yacht Club redevelopment was opened late 2011 and consisted of a refurbishment and fit-out to provide office accommodation, meeting and performance analysis rooms, a small kitchenette, boat storage and an indoor open rigging area.

“Phase two will include a large rigging deck space and crane access to provide disability and wheelchair access allowing for the Olympic and Paralympic athletes and coaches to fully integrate,” Senator Lundy said.

“In addition improvements will also enable the yacht club to run community Sailability disabled sailing programs and expand its youth dinghy training programs by including Yachting Australia keelboat training schemes such as Adult Learn to Sail.”

The Australian Government is a proud supporter of Yachting Australian and Australia’s sailing team providing approximately $6 million in annual funding to grassroots and elite sailing programs.