Sailing
Sailing has a proud history at Westminster and remains one of the School's longstanding flagship sports. The program has enjoyed sustained success at State Championships and has regularly represented South Australia at the National level, including in each of the past three years.
A distinctive feature of Sailing at Westminster is its strong team environment, bringing together students from Year 7 to Year 12. Senior students and team leaders play an important role in creating an inclusive and supportive environment where all squad members feel welcome and valued.
Squad Numbers and Selection
Due to the nature of the sport and the number of boats available, places in the Sailing program are limited.
In previous years the squad has been restricted to 24 students with existing sailing experience. Unlike most Westminster sports, where we aim to provide opportunities for students of all abilities, Sailing has traditionally prioritised experienced sailors when positions become available. These opportunities generally arise when senior students graduate or existing squad members choose not to continue.
For 2027 we are pleased to expand the program to 32 students, creating eight additional places specifically for students who are new to Sailing.
The squad will consist of:
- 24 experienced sailors who will participate in training and competitive regattas.
- 8 novice sailors who will develop their sailing skills through training before progressing to competitive regattas when ready.
All 32 students will train together at the same time and venue, operating as one Westminster Sailing team. Novice sailors will not participate in competitive regattas until they have developed the necessary skills to progress into the main competition squad.
Nominations and Selection Process
Submitting a nomination through Clipboard does not guarantee a place in the Sailing program.
Once nominations close, the Sailing Coordinator and Head of Sport will review applications and select up to 24 experienced sailors and eight novice sailors.
Priority within the experienced group will continue to be given to students with established sailing experience. The additional novice positions are intended to provide a pathway for students who are interested in learning the sport.
Depending on the number of nominations received in each category, some students may unfortunately miss out on selection.
Expectations and Opportunities
We encourage students who are interested in Sailing but are unable to secure a place in the squad to explore opportunities through the Brighton Seacliff Sailing Club, which offers excellent introductory programs for those looking to develop their skills and experience.
Our aim is to maintain the proud tradition of competitive Sailing at Westminster while creating more opportunities for students to discover and enjoy the sport.
Team Information
Season: Term 1 and 4 (Summer) – Term 1 only for the novice group
Regattas: Sunday (Term 1)
Training: Wednesday 4.00 pm-6.30 pm (bus departs school at 3.20 pm)
State Championships: Friday April 9 – Monday April 12
National Championships: July school holidays
Uniform: Westminster wet weather sailing jacket, Westminster sailing rash vest and beanie (optional)
Team Manager: Ros Sayers
Enquiries: rsayers@westminster.sa.edu.au