Update for States
November 2011
Tackers Summary
- November 2011
• Yachting Australia preferred national junior (under 12s) sailing
program.
• Major component of Yachting Australia funding from Australian
Sports Commission for Participation 2011-2014.
• Target 5,500 kids per year in 3 years and 10,000 in 5 years.
• Four years of development and piloting in Victoria 2007-11.
• Yachting Australia now rolling-out with other States - Tasmania &
ACT in 2011.
The objective
The objective of the “Tackers” program is to attract a
significantly increased number of primary school age
children to sailing, especially those who would not
otherwise, and have them participate in an initial “fun”
sailing experience before progressing on a pathway, to
a full learn to sail course over 3 main levels, then non
competitive participation, and long term club
membership.
Why? Victoria 2005
• Stagnant (at best) participation in sailing - declining junior & youth.
• Over 80 competitor sports - many with strong junior programs &
plenty of other leisure options.
• Fragmented approach - few clubs with junior programs and limited
consistency or marketing.
• Club junior programs generally not based on research or a sound
child-based strategy.
• Clubs said juniors & youth were highest priority.
Why - National 2011?
• Australia Bureau of Statistics and Australia Sports Commission data
confirms sailing is under-represented in young age groups.
• gemba Project confirms
- Lack of children
- Sailing starts too late as a sport (compared to other sports)
- Strength of other sports junior programs
- Expectations of existing club members – they want juniors targeted
- Building a fan base for life needs to start early
• Resources available from Australian Sports Commission funding
How? Tackers Development
• Methodology
- Research with other sports, & overseas
- Piloting of concepts & ideas
- Initial 3 locations now 18 (varying sizes of clubs)
- Improvements will be completed with Australia Sports
Commission funding
- An overarching Tackers Mission & Eight guiding Tackers Values
• Funding in the past
- VicHealth - $300k +
- Australian Sports Commission, Australian Sports Foundation,
several private donors & Yachting Victoria - $100k +
Tackers Values
1. Kid centric - recognizes kids’ learning styles & behaviors are
different to adults
2. Non competitive - fun & social
3. Professional young instructors
4. Program delivery consistent at every location
5. Branded modern presentation - in all regards
6. Targets kids outside existing club membership
7. Value for money relative to other sports - all inclusive fee
8. Graduated pathway over several steps & seasons - fundamental
skills foundations & enthusiasm for long-term participation
What is Tackers?
• Different to other junior learn to sail programs
- Targets younger - 7 year olds for Tackers
- Games-based learning
- Young professional instructors
- Contemporary presentation & branding
• Similar to YA ‘Get into Small Boat’ sailing
- Must be a YA Training Centre
- Core syllabus = YA Small Boat (GISBS) = adapted = Tackers
- Multiple levels - Pathway based, Tackers 1,2 and 3 - each
20 hours leading to Green Fleet
Ozi Optimist is the preferred
boat but - It’s not about the boat!
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For non-sailors its like Ikea - out of the box, available to buy online
Affordable - inexpensive!
Colorful - no white sails!
No Maintenance
Universal - identical for everyone
International - Provides a pathway to Optimist or others
Modified to suit the program - 20% < sail and 20% more hull weight
than Optimist, modified to fit 2 + kids
The Victorian experience
YV Tackers
numbers
– Pilot Program
2007-08
3 Clubs
Total
2008-09
5 Clubs
Total
2009-10
7 Clubs
Total
2010-11
10 Clubs
Total
Tackers 1
286
292
694
884
Tackers 2
40
30
245
356
Tackers 3
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110
158
326
322
1049
1398
Total
Add for 2010-11 Little Tackers Pilot (4-6yo ) = 73
Tackers Introduction = 2579
Note the Boat Shed incl . Mobile = 50% = 663
Where to after Tackers
= The Pathway
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Ideally start at 7 years old (no later than 12).
Clearly defined & well communicated pathway.
Kids progress at own pace - one level per season.
During Tackers kids practice between levels.
Green Fleet (Level 4) - After Tackers 3 & before Club Racing (ISAF
Modified Rules for introductory racing - No Blue Book, & OziOpti).
• After Green Fleet = recreational sailing or club racing (Level 5) in
any class of boat.
Tackers - other points
• Tackers 1 - Having Fun is 2 kids per boat.
• Tackers 2 - Tricks & Techniques and Tackers 3 - Sailing Fast is 1 kid
per boat.
• There is a ‘Tackers Intro’ session of 2.5hrs.
• Has been trialed with Australian Sports Commission for their Active
After School Program.
• Club expected to supply boats right up to club racing.
• Retail Price for programs to be $300 (+/- $50). In survey of
customers in Victoria 95% said this was good value.
What do Tacker’s Clubs
Commit to?
• Following the Tackers guidelines – strictly.
• Being a Yachting Australia Training Centre and following the
requirements – strictly.
• Funding instructor training & uniforms.
• Providing the resources and infrastructure - including all boats,
facilities organisation etc.
• Appointing a Tackers Club Leader who will liaise with State
Tackers Leader.
• Free Temporary Club Membership Category for participants for the
duration of the program (e.g., 8 weeks for an 8 week program).
• At least 100 students per year.
Other benefits to Clubs
• Youth retention & engagement as they enjoy & earn income from the
Tackers Instructor Pathway.
• Community & government profile as being active in encouraging
junior sport.
• Involvement of non-sailing families in the club.
• Range of local marketing materials.
• Profitable to run & return from membership.
Local Marketing Materials
Yachting Australian Training
Centre Guidelines
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Risk Management & Insurance.
Safety & safety boats.
Qualified (including Assistant) Instructors.
MyCentre - entry of all students & issue of merchandise and
certificates.
• The YA Small Boat (GISBS) syllabus.
Fees & Costs to Clubs
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Supply of OziOpti’s - minimum 6 ideally 10 or more.
Supply of Safety Boats - fuel etc…
Instructor & Assistant Instructor qualifications
Instructor uniforms (approx. $27 per instructor)
Tackers fee to Yachting Australia for 2011-12:
- Tackers 1 = $80 plus gst, Tackers 2 = $75 plus gst, Tackers - 3 = $75
plus gst.
- Includes insurance, kit & certificate for participants (different at each
level)
- Instructor Manuals & resources
- Includes for Club promo materials such as posters, banners,
activity sheets etc…
- 5% on line enrollment fee (optional)
What do Instructors Commit
to?
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Having Fun
The mantra “I want kids to come back”
Tackers guidelines (Instructor Manuals)
Completing the Tackers Instructor & Assistant Instructor Induction
YATC requirements
Tackers advocates & ambassadors
Wearing the Tackers outfit & having a nickname!
(Victoria has inducted over 100 young instructors and helped retain
them in sailing).
Parents & families
• Tackers is about attracting families to clubs.
• Parents are not encouraged to be directly involved in delivering the
program.
• Possible involvement as a Tackers Club Leader.
• Provide a social viewing environment - at least an
espresso machine.
• If they want “kid” sitting - provide it.
• School holiday programs are important & very popular.
The Yachting Australia
Roll-out
• States have a Tackers Agreement with YA (as Clubs have with
State Association).
• There will be a passionate Tackers Leader in each state (as at
each club).
• Australian Sports Commission via Yachting Australia is helping fund
the State Tackers Leader.
• The values and guidelines will not be compromised but will be
continually improved.
• Yachting Australia will be providing all State Tackers Leaders with
training & support & conduct the initial Tackers Instructor & Assistant
Instructors Inductions.
Next Developments
• All current materials updated for Yachting Australia.
• More guidelines on Green Fleet & the Sailing Pathway.
• Better IT support as part of MyCentre re-development:
- Online entry.
- Customer surveying & research.
- Online Shop for all materials, merchandise, & boats.
• Increased marketing presence
- National plan materials & website
• Little Tackers - 4-6 year old program, guidelines, resources, &
support.
More Information?
• See ‘Tackers Information and Application Guide 2011-12’
• Email Daisy Brooke, Participation Manager, Yachting Australia
dbrooke@yachting.org.au