I Said I Needed Help — This Is Your Chance.

In my last post, I said it plainly: I need help.

Not the kind of help that gets lip service. Not well-meaning encouragement from the sidelines. Real, hands-on, sleeves-rolled-up support.

Because this mission – getting sailing reinstated for the Paralympic Games, building a truly inclusive global sport, creating opportunities for sailors with disabilities everywhere – is bigger than me, bigger than my job title, and bigger than World Sailing. And right now, it’s running on fumes, held together by the sheer willpower of a few people who refuse to give up.

I’m proud of what we’ve achieved already. The Inclusive Development Programme (IDP) is now in its third year, bringing coaching, equipment, and national development support to countries that had never seen Para Inclusive Sailing before. I’ve travelled to places where access to sport for people with disabilities is nearly non-existent, and I’ve worked side-by-side with amazing coaches to show what’s possible – not in theory, but on the water.

Through the IDP, I’ve supported over 180 sailors from 36 countries – from young athletes discovering sailing for the first time, to experienced competitors who had been told they didn’t belong. I’ve helped national federations create their first inclusion programmes. I’ve found equipment, I’ve trained coaches, I’ve written development plans, I’ve hosted webinars, I’ve fought for funding, and I’ve kept showing up – even when it felt like I was screaming into the void.

Having the privilege to create the IDP and to share my experiences with sailors from around the world reminds me of why I took on this role.

I’ve watched sailors grow in confidence, enter international events, and dare to dream about representing their countries. I’ve seen the sport change lives – not just of the athletes, but of the families, the communities, and the federations around them.

Then there’s the World Sailing Inclusion Championships, which we launched to give these athletes a platform to race, to be recognised, and to show the world what inclusive sailing really looks like. We’ve opened the doors to sailors who’ve never had a world stage before. This event wasn’t easy to build – there was resistance, doubt, red tape – but it’s happening. And it’s only going to grow if you help it grow.

Now we’re at a critical point. The Paralympic reinstatement campaign for Brisbane 2032 is underway. But make no mistake – this isn’t just about submitting a bid. This is about delivering proof: that our sport is global, organised, inclusive, and aligned with the values and standards of the Paralympic Movement.

We’re making progress:

We’re aligning with IPC classification code requirements and delivering education and reform.
We’re addressing anti-doping with new testing protocols and education tools.
We’re tracking participation and identifying gaps in global activity.
We’re building strategic pathways, with buy-in from stakeholders around the world.

But progress isn’t enough. We need action. We need unity.

We need the sport to step up.

So I’m hosting a series of three open webinars to tell you exactly where we are – and more importantly, how you can help.

These webinars will share:

Our progress against IPC criteria
Our strategic roadmap to Paralympic reinstatement
The vital role of MNAs, Classes, Coaches, Sailors, and Event Organisers
How you can support, amplify, and contribute to the campaign
Your questions answered live

This is not a passive update. This is a call to action.

🔹 Webinar 1 – Thursday 24 July, 08:00–09:00 BST / 09:00–10:00 CEST
🔗 Register here

🔹 Webinar 2 – Friday 25 July, 12:00–13:00 BST / 13:00–14:00 CEST
🔗 Register here

🔹 Webinar 3 – Friday 25 July, 18:00–19:00 BST / 19:00–20:00 CEST
🔗 Register here

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, MNA representative, class association, official, supporter or just someone who cares – your voice matters.

We are One Sport. Inclusion is the solution, we just need to show the World that Sailing can do it.

You want inclusion? Then be part of building it.
You want Paralympic recognition? Then help us prove we deserve it.
You want to be heard? Then show up, speak up, and get involved.

Stop critiquing from the outside. Stop assuming someone else is handling it. Because often, no one is – and I’m one person trying to keep all the plates spinning.

This is your chance to join the movement. Not just in words – in action.

I’ll be there. I always am.
Now I need you to be too.