The Royal Yacht Club of Victoria (RYCV) cast off in 1853 as the Port Phillip Yacht Club, located in Williamstown with spectacular views of the city skyline. Steeped in yachting history, RYCV now has more than 1000 members and over 200 yachts on its register. It is ideal for sailors of all abilities, from beginners to experts, with the Royals Training Centre offering courses for all ages.

Richard Black, General Manager of RYCV, stepped aboard with the Club in October 2025, but already “feels at home with people who are committed to creating value for a passionate sporting and boating community”. Richard has sailing in his blood. “I grew up holidaying on Phillip Island, where I learned to sail Mirror dinghies at Cowes Yacht Club. I later progressed to Top Cats and Hobie 12s and 14s. In my early to mid-20s, I sailed Lasers off the beach at Hampton, just down the road from home.”

One of the things Richard loves about the club is its people. “The staff, members and the club’s supportive culture have been the standout features of my first few months.” He also loves the focus on helping to bring young people into the club and the sport of sailing. “The club’s strong focus on junior sailing aligned perfectly with my background in junior development at the AFL. Our junior sailors are the future of RYCV, and maintaining a strong emphasis on participation, high-quality programs, development pathways and long-term retention will remain central to the club’s success. This focus is equally important for the broader sailing community across Victoria and Australia.”

THE FORMER COMMODORE

Doug Shields is a former Commodore of RYCV, and his father was also Commodore of the club. He has been sailing since he was eight years old, when his father would take him sailing on a Saturday afternoon on the yacht he crewed on. Doug has sailed in many different classes of yachts, “starting in dinghy racing and progressing into ocean racing. It is difficult to have a favourite, but I would say the International 12 Metre.”

With Doug’s father’s involvement at the club, Doug was always going to be heavily involved. “My father listed me as a Junior Member when I was 10. I have been a member at RYCV for 64 years. At different times I have served on the House & Social Committee, the Futures Committee, and the General Committee.”

According to Doug, the club has evolved, “developing its assets to meet the modern requirements of both off-the-beach classes and keelboats. It has grown socially, and contributes to the surrounding community, while respecting its 173-year history. With sailing as my lifetime passion, I find it extremely rewarding to see others take that path and seek the benefits and satisfaction it offers.”

THE YOUNG GUN

Jarvis Coyle is a 14-year-old sailor who has progressed through the youth program at RYCV and is now into keelboats. “My Dad, Daniel Coyle, is currently the 6th fleet president. My Mum Cat has trained to be a Race Officer. I sailed with my brother Hunter for two years before he stepped away from sailing and my current crew is Louis Ridgeway.”

Jarvis started sailing at Royals when he attended the Tackers Learn to Sail Program with a friend. After a pause, thanks to Covid, he eventually completed Tackers Three, and then became a crew in an International Cadet Class dinghy. He also owns and sails a Bluebird 22ft Keel boat, called Chief’s Voyage. Jarvis has goals. “My current goal is to eventually make the Australian International Cadet Class team and go to a world championship to represent my country. Other later on goals include things like seeing the world and traversing the different oceans in different boats, and then to also give back to the community and aid the next generation of youth sailors. The club has supported me by providing a lot of great coaches and a great community. It has also given me the opportunity to become an assistant instructor for the Tackers program, where I can now do my part to teach new generations how to sail and put them on the path that I took to this wonderful sport.”

Jarvis’s mum Cat said that she loves that Jarvis sails. “He’s outside in all weather conditions, sailing with both males and females of all ages. It is a beautiful and positive environment. It helps him grow and solve problems. He has developed some great goals. And it is so nice that all the members treat him as an equal.”

THE MEMBERS

Julie Standen and Megan Jackson are close friends and are both very active in RYCV’s social programs, being members for over a decade. Julie has sailed for over 40 years, and Megan for over 50 years, since she was seven. Megan has a Hanse 385 called Cocoon, and competes in the club series and other regattas around the bay.

Both Julie and Megan love ‘Happy Hour’ which is on Friday nights at the club. The club offers a variety of options, catering to all its members including long lunches, Sunday afternoons with bands on the deck, comedy nights, quiz nights, wine dinners, film nights, charity events, and even a book club. Megan and Julie love the camaraderie of the club most. They said: “Sitting on the deck or lawn, sharing a drink with friends and soaking in that awesome view – it never gets old.”

Visit rycv.com.au

Interviews by Helen Hayes.

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