Kay Cottee Sailing Program

The Kay Cottee Sailing Encouragement Award provides an opportunity for young people to try sailing.

The Award is an all-expenses paid, four-day program for teenagers aged 13 to 16 years.

Open to young people with little or no experience in sailing, program selection is done by ballot.

Honouring a legend

The program was created in honour of legendary sailor Kay Cottee, the first female to perform a single handed unassisted non-stop circumnavigation of the world. 

After returning from her journey, Kay wanted to give something back to the sport she loved and in conjunction with Sport and Recreation the Award was born. 

2009 success

The 2009 program involved over 20 young people, who traveled to the picturesque lakeside Point Wolstoncroft from areas right across NSW.

The program included four days of sailing tuition from Sport and Recreation Program Officers who are qualified sailing instructors, and coaches with Yachting Australia. 

This year, a program highlight was the visit from Kay Cottee, who chatted with the teenagers about the opportunities and goals that can be achieved when determination and ambition combine. 

Another memorable moment was the opportunity to explore different yachts, organised by Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, who are enthusiastic supporters of junior sailing.  The group climbed masts and learnt about the differences of each craft.

Point Wolstoncroft the ideal venue

Once again Point Wolsoncroft Sport and Recreation Centre proved itself to be an ideal venue for the Award program.

Great deep water sailing on both the east and western shorelines’ and consistent winds for the young students practice in.

The program culminated in a regatta style series of races on the final morning. All students tested their newfound skills by racing one another. The prize was an impressive trophy, built and donated by the Centre staff. 

Lasting impact

Despite the cooler weather conditions, the Award program was enjoyed and highly successful in 2009.

As it does each year, the Award proved that when the enthusiasm of sporting bodies and the community combine, an opportunity for youth is created that will have lasting impacts on their young lives.

Great thanks go out to all who helped make the program a fantastic opportunity for the teenagers.

Sailing towards the future

This is a bi-annual event planned to next run in 2011, further details to follow.