Meet our coaches

Head Coach
Mel Hitchen-Haw 
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Mel has a strong background in two MYC classes, the Optimist and the Laser. As a junior Mel was a member of the Victorian Sailing Team 5 times, and a member of the Australian Optimist (junior) Sailing Team 3 times, where she has represented Australia at overseas events. With a smooth transition to the Laser Mel quickly made the Australian Laser 4.7 World Championships team where she came 2nd in the Under 16 Girls division. With 10 years of experience coaching at many clubs and schools across Victoria as well as being the Head Optimist Coach at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron in 2017, Mel brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to the coaching team. In 2019 Mel was recognised for her outstanding coaching over a number of years, being awarded the 2019 Victorian Coach of the Year. 

Optimists

Mel Hitchen-Haw (State Coach)
As well as being our Head Coach, Mel is on the Victorian Optimist (junior) Coaching team where she works with sailors from across the state at major regatta's and training camps organised by VIODA, the state Optimist Dinghy organisation. Over her 4 years at MYC Mel has worked with sailors from Green Fleet through to the top Open fleet sailors. Mel loves working with and developing club sailors to reach their personal goals, some which strive for and have become members of the Australian Optimist (junior) Sailing Team. You will also see Mel coaching the Laser fleet every now and again as she shares her winning knowledge in her youth and adult class with our talented sailors. Having attended and been part of the largest and long running successful sailing schools in Victoria St Leonard's College, Mel is the Peninsula Grammar Sailing Coach. 

Jess Harper
Jess has been coaching at Davey's Bay Yacht Club for the past 4 years and Mornington over the last 2 years. Jess was a successful junior sailor in her own right, being a member of the Victorian Optimist Sailing Team for 2 years before achieving second place at the 2015 Bic World Championships. Jess was also a vital member of Toorak College's successful sailing team in which she competed in many National School's Teams Racing Championships. ​​

Laser
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Rhett Gowans (State Coach)
Rhett is a part of the fabric at MYC. Being a member of the first group of Optimist sailors at the club Rhett is often the face of success at MYC. In 2016  Rhett won the Australian National title for the Laser Radial class, and spent the following 12 months in the Australian Sailing Squad and Victorian Institute of Sport. Rhett is a Laser class state coach for Victoria and is the long time coach of an extremely successful Toorak College Sailing Team. Rhett is a valued member of the club, and coaching team with his leadership and organisation being an asset to us all. ​

420
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Sophie Jackson (State Coach)
As well as being our Head Instructor, Sophie is our lead 420 coach for 2019. Sophie is a regular competitor at the national level, being a member of many Victorian Sailing teams. In recent years Sophie has come 6th at the 420 world Championships, gaining her entry to the Victorian Institute of Sport and becoming a member of the Australian Sailing Squad in the 470 class. Sophie was an intergral part of the successful Toorak College Sailing Team which attended multiple National School's Teams Racing Championships, to which she is the new Woodleigh Sailing Coach. With 4 years of coaching under her belt and plenty of sailing experience at the top level, Sophie is a much respected and appreciated member of our coaching team. ​

Chris Jackson 
With a keen interest in junior and youth development, Chris is passionate about seeing kids around the club, learning about and most importantly enjoying our great sport. With stints as Head of Coaching for Victoria and for Tasmania, Chris is a guiding light and mentor for our developing coaches. You will see Chris on the water throughout the year as he coaches in our programs when needed, and spending time working with our coaches. Please say hello to Chris when you see him around the boat yard.