Queensland’s sailing community has spoken — and the 2025 Queensland Sailing Awards finalists are officially announced!

From Aussie Sailing Team stars to grassroots volunteers, this year’s nominations are packed with passion, dedication, and community spirit. From 13 categories ranging from Female Sailor of the Year through to the ultimate Club of the Year, your Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron has got each category nailed, and then some!

In this year’s awards comprised of 13 categories, a total of 17 nominees from our club have been named as Finalists!  You heard that right – we have more than one finalist in several categories. WOW!

Congratulations and best wishes to the following, who will find out whether they have been awarded winner in their category at the official ceremony to be held at the Colmslie Hotel on Friday, 12th September:

FEMALE SAILOR OF THE YEAR

• Mara Stransky – RQYS
• Stacey Jackson – RQYS
• Ayal Barney – RQYS
• Annika Thomson – Whitsunday SC

PARA SAILOR OF THE YEAR

• Neil Rowsthorn – SYC
• Daniel Fitzgibbon – RQYS
• Naomi Ooue – Aus Hansa Class Association

YOUTH SAILOR OF THE YEAR

• Rory Meehan – RQYS
• Joshua Dale – RQYS
• Alyssa Matthieu – Townsville SC
• Jordan Barney – RQYS

TEAM OF THE YEAR

• Hayden Barney – RQYS
• Moreton Bay College
• Annette Hesselmans – RQYS

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

• Donnah Jordan – Mackay SC
• Heather Sutton – Whitsunday SC
• Sandra Byrt – Keppel Bay SC
• Louise Davis – RQYS
• Michael Mallan – RQYS
• Robert Preston – Sth Brisbane SC
• Allana Oates – Cairns YC
• Colin Dunne – Townsville SC
• Michael Wilson – QLD ILCA Association

INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR

• Amelia Doyle – Townsville SC
• Robert Deards – Keppel Bay SC

COACH OF THE YEAR

• Kate Baisden – RQYS
• Adrian Finglas – RQYS
• Raffael Trujillo – RQYS

OFFICIAL OF THE YEAR

• Louise Davis – RQYS
• Daryl Skinner – Keppel Bay SC

SHESAILS AWARD

• Doortje Joerst – WMSC
• ILCA Solidarity Program
• Tess Cooper – Cairns YC
• Sophie Baynton – Keppel Bay SC

SPORT PROMOTION AWARD

• Mark Dingley – RQYS
• Keppel Bay SC
• Andy Kanacachain – SYC

CLUB OF THE YEAR – CAT A

• RQYS
• SYC
• Keppel Bay SC
• Whitsunday SC

CLUB OF THE YEAR – CAT B

• Humpybong YC
• Cleveland YC
• South Brisbane YC