The Yachting New Zealand Emerging Coach of the Year award celebrates coaches who make a real difference at club level, outside the high-performance system. Introduced in 2023, it recognises the people building the sport from the ground up. The 2025 recipient is Sophia Morgan, honoured for her outstanding work at the Royal Akarana Yacht Club.
Morgan, a dual Olympian who represented Fiji in the ILCA 6 class at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, has become a key figure in developing youth sailing at RAYC. As the club’s Academy Co-ordinator, she oversees programmes ranging from introductory “Sail & Play” sessions to structured youth performance groups. Her role includes guiding the coaching team, shaping training pathways, and ensuring a safe, enjoyable environment for young sailors.
Her influence is already evident across the club. The youth fleet has grown under her leadership, driven by her ability to translate Olympic-level experience into clear, age-appropriate coaching. Parents and sailors frequently praise her supportive approach, steady communication, and the confidence she brings out in younger athletes.
Morgan’s success as a coach reflects the values the award seeks to highlight: commitment to community, passion for developing the next generation, and a genuine belief in sailing as a lifelong sport. Her presence at the helm of the academy provides strong role-modelling for young sailors, particularly young women entering the sport.
With previous winners including Wade Tresadern (2024) and Matthew Rist (2023), Morgan joins a short list of coaches recognised for shaping the future of New Zealand sailing. Her 2025 award acknowledges both her professional skill and her dedication to fostering participation, learning, and enjoyment at grassroots level.
