Volunteering

VOLUNTEERING

Welcome to the Alfreds

Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club

Volunteering

At the heart of every Club are its volunteers.  The Club’s sailing program continues to excel with the enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers. The ability to continue to deliver a first-class and diverse sailing program depends very much on the assistance and support of volunteers. Whether it is volunteering on water or on land with a Club Committee, there is a task for you. 

Join a Club Committee
If you have an interest in joining one of the committees or might have an interest in standing for the Board or a Rear Commodore at some time in the future, we would encourage you to participate.

Join the on water Race Officials Team
If spending a free afternoon or an early summer evening on Pittwater, in good company, performing a highly valued club service sounds good to you, our sailing office would love to hear from you.  Maybe you are between boats, happy to support your partner racing, new to the sport and / or simply interested in learning how yacht racing or centreboard racing is conducted.

Any level of experience is welcomed, whether a beginner or an International Race Officer, a willingness to be part of a team and provide superb on-water management races is all this is required. 

Various roles are required on a weekly basis including;

  • Duty Race Officer
  • Scribes
  • Flag operators
  • Committee Vessel Boat Driver – Alfred’s I and Alfred’s II (the operator must be a Club Member)
  • Mark Layer / Support boat – Club ribs (the operator must be a Club Member)
  • Marshallers
  • Dolly/Launch Marshals
  • First aiders’
  • Umpires
  • Jurors
  • Measures
  • Special Regulation Auditors

RPAYC is dedicated to providing continuous training opportunities for all its Race Officials. Programs include Australian Sailing Race Officials Courses, online theory training that applies to on-water practises, additional seminars on Racing Rules, Weather, Mark Laying, and other courses (First Aid, Radio Operator Certificate, Person Overboard, Safety Boat Operator).

All volunteers whilst acting for the club are covered by the club’s insurance policy in addition to the Australian Sailing Membership insurance.

It is club policy that if you volunteer for a Keelboat activity you must be a club member which includes membership of Australian Sailing.

Those wishing to volunteer for centreboard (OTB) activities are exempt from this requirement to be club members. Please note though that Working With Children Checks conditions may apply.

For further information please contact the Sailing Office on 02 9998 3771 or email sailing@rpayc.com.au or complete the online Volunteer Registration Form or sign up directly for a club event at www.volunteer.net.au

RPAYC Volunteer Race Management Portal

RPAYC uses the volunteer.net.au system for managing the availability and allocation of volunteers for all sailing and racing activities at the club.

Through this online system volunteers can indicate their availability for events (including desired role) and receive assignments from the volunteer co-ordinators. 

Once you have made an account, your credentials will remain the same to log in each time. For volunteers registering for the first time, there is a simple 4 step process. Once logged in, the user will have options to register availability for upcoming events, and also view your current volunteering registrations. The website is cloud-based, meaning there is no requirement to download an app. It is recommended you view this on a computer or tablet for best viewing. 

If you have any questions, you can watch our recent club volunteer seminar, which features a demonstration on how to use the system for RPAYC events, or contact the Sailing Office for further guidance.

Race Official Policies, Resources & Training

Australian Sailing also publishes updates and recommendations for Race Officials, view updates and other useful information here:

Vessel Operating Guides for:
User Incident Guides and Training Material:

For further information please contact the Sailing Office on 02 9998 3771 or email sailing@rpayc.com.au, or complete the online Volunteer Registration Form. 

Australian Sailing National Officiating Program​

The National Officiating Program (NOP) has been developed to provide a clear and consistent pathway for volunteer officials in the sport of sailing.

The officiating streams within Australian Sailing are split into the following programs:

Australian Sailing e-Learning Courses

Mark Laying Course

a group of people on a boat

This series of modules shows the structure towards becoming accredited as a Mark Layer and the responsibilities that are associated with the role. It covers best practice for equipment selection and course-setting techniques. START THE MARK LAYING COURSE

Race Officer – Committee & Finish Boat Course

several people sailing on the sea

This series of modules shows the structure towards becoming accredited as a Race Officer – Committee and Finish Boat and the responsibilities that are associated with the role. It covers best practice, equipment selection and finish line setting techniques. START THE COMIITTEE AND FINISH BOAT COURSE

Judge / Protest Committee Member

a group of people posing for the camera

This series of modules shows the structure towards becoming accredited as a Judge – Protest Committee Member. The course includes education and best practice for being a Protest Committee Member and Club-level Arbitrator. START THE PROTEST COMMITTEE MEMBER COURSE

Club Equipment Auditor Course

a group of pencils and other objects on a table

The Club Equipment Auditor (CEA) online course is a free safety service provided to help ensure safety standards are consistently met through equipment compliance. The CEA online course reviews: the Cat 3-7 auditing forms, all category specific updates to the Special Regulations, procedures to be utilised whist auditing and where to obtain specific auditing information from the Racing Rules of Sailing and Special Regulations. START THE CLUB EQUIPMENT AUDITOR COURSE

'Play by the Rules' e-Learning Courses

Play by the Rules is a unique collaboration between Sport Integrity Australia, Sport Australia, Australian Human Rights Commission, all state and territory departments of sport and recreation, all state and territory anti-discrimination and human rights agencies, the Office of the Children’s Guardian (NSW) and the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW. These partners promote Play by the Rules through their networks, along with their own child safety, anti-discrimination and inclusion programs.

Play by the Rules provides information, resources, tools and free online training to increase the capacity and capability of administrators, coaches, officials, players, parents and spectators to assist them in preventing and dealing with discrimination, harassment, child safety, inclusion and integrity issues in sport.