AST Partners with YPO Sydney to Develop All-Round Champion

AST and YPO Sydney Launch High Performance Mentor Progam © Australian Sailing Team

The Australian Sailing Team (AST) in partnership with Young Presidents' Organisation (YPO) Sydney, has launched a High-Performance Athlete Mentor Program, a 12-month pilot initiative designed to connect elite sailors with some of Australia's most accomplished business leaders.

The program brings together eight high-performance AST athletes and experienced YPO Sydney members in a structured mentoring framework. Its purpose is clear: to support athletes in their pursuit of sporting excellence while also equipping them with the skills, perspective and confidence to thrive beyond elite competition.

The initiative recognises that Olympic campaigns demand more than physical preparation. Athletes are required to make high-stakes decisions under pressure, manage uncertainty, build high-performing teams and navigate complex environments, competencies that closely mirror the demands of executive leadership.

Australian Sailing Team Patron and YPO Member Rory Hunter said the program reflects a shared commitment to developing well-rounded leaders beyond the podium and the boardroom.

"I am incredibly proud of what we have created here. This program is about building leaders for life, not just medals or markets. It creates a meaningful bridge between two high performance communities who rarely have the opportunity to learn from one another in a structured way. For me, it represents service by leveraging the experience and network of YPO to support Australia's next generation of Olympians as they pursue excellence both on and off the water."

He continued, "The synergy is powerful. Elite sport and business both demand clarity under pressure, long term vision combined with disciplined execution, and the resilience to navigate setbacks. Athletes understand marginal gains and preparation. Business leaders understand strategy, capital and scalable impact. When you bring those mindsets together, you create an exchange that elevates everyone involved."

AST High Performance Director Iain Brambell said the program aligns strongly with the team's holistic approach to athlete development.

"High performance is not just about what happens between the start and finish lines. It's about building well-rounded individuals who can lead, adapt and make strong decisions in complex environments. Providing athletes with access to lived business experience at the highest level, people who have built organisations, managed risk and led through uncertainty, is an exceptional opportunity. Learning from these perspectives and experiences is invaluable, both for their Olympic campaigns and for life beyond sport."

Athletes and Mentors at the AST and YPO Sydney High Performance Mentor Progam Launch Event - photo © Australian Sailing Team

The pilot cohort includes two-time Olympic gold medallist Matt Wearn, World Championship bronze medallist Zac Littlewood, Paris Olympians Brin Liddell, Zoe Thomson and Evie Haseldine, AST ILCA sailor Elyse Ainsworth, 49erFX sailor Laura Harding, and athlete-turned-coach and Paris Olympian Jim Colley.

Each athlete has been carefully matched with a YPO Sydney mentor, creating a confidential and trusted space for strategic thinking, career planning, leadership development and personal growth.

As the Australian Sailing Team builds toward LA 2028 and beyond, the High-Performance Athlete Mentor Program represents a forward-thinking investment not only in medals, but in people.