Issue date
Bolstering club coffers, further increasing engagement with local communities, and Yachting New Zealand's future strategy are three of the topics that will be discussed at the club conference in May - and the 2025 edition of the popular biennial event will have an even greater focus on connecting club leaders and information sharing than ever before.
This year's conference is free and takes place at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club on Saturday, May 24, 2025. It will start at 9.30 am and conclude at 4 pm.
"The Yachting New Zealand club conference is a valuable event for commodores, providing an opportunity to connect with other club leaders, share knowledge, plan, and network," said the organisation's national sport development director Raynor Haagh.
"Feedback from previous conferences has highlighted the value of networking and sharing ideas and experiences with other attendees and this year we will allow ample time for that."
As in previous years, the conference will canvas a wide range of topics relevant to yacht clubs. Survey data collected after the last club conference in 2023, highlighted areas of particular interest and these will be a big focus of this year's conference.
It includes presentations by and discussions with experts in areas including gaming and grant funding, environmental sustainability, Yachting New Zealand’s school and community engagement programme RŪNĀ, safety systems for clubs and keelboats, women and girls in sailing, Sport New Zealand’s new integrity code, Yachting New Zealand’s strategic direction for 2025-2028 and club communication and social media.
The Yachting New Zealand club conference will take place at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club in Auckland on May 24, 2025.
"We will conclude the day with a facilitated Q&A session with Yachting New Zealand board directors and leadership team members, who will answer questions from clubs," Haagh said.
"This invitation is extended to the commodore of each of our affiliated yacht and boating clubs. If in 2025 your club has a new incoming commodore, we encourage you to consider sending them."
There may also be an opportunity for a second club representative to join the conference and clubs with employed managers are encouraged to invite them as time will be allocated for this group to discuss issues specific to larger clubs. These clubs will, however, be required to cover the additional cost of a second representative or manager attending the conference. If numbers are limited, priority will be given to a representative from each club before confirming a second participant.
Haagh urged young people who are active in their club's committees to also attend.
"We want to see more young people in club leadership roles and any clubs who would like to bring a young leader to the conference should apply, outlining the individual's role and how the club supports them.
"Successful applicants may receive a contribution towards travel and accommodation costs."
Yachting New Zealand will contribute as follows to travel and accommodation costs for clubs outside Auckland:
- North of Auckland (clubs north of Auckland, including Sandspit Yacht Club) - $150.
- South of Auckland (clubs south of Auckland, including Thames Sailing Club) - $150.
- Lower North Island (clubs in the central region) - $300.
- South Island clubs - $450.
This contribution will be deposited into a nominated bank account three weeks before the conference, once the club's registration is confirmed.
Commodore and club representatives can register online here.
Registration closes on Friday, May 2, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact your regional development manager.
