our team
New Plymouth Yacht Club is supported by a dedicated team of committee members and volunteers who help keep the Club running and our sailing community thriving.
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Get to know the people behind NPYC and who to contact if you need a hand.
club leadership
Sacha McGregor
Sacha McGregor became Commodore in August 2025, becoming the first woman to lead New Plymouth Yacht Club in its 86-year history, and one of only a handful of female commodores across New Zealand's 106 yacht clubs.
But Sacha's connection to NPYC goes back much further. She grew up at the yacht club, giving her a lifelong connection to the sailing community before life eventually took her in other directions. She circled back to the club when her own children started sailing, rediscovering the place that had played such a formative role in her younger years.
It was through her children's Optimist campaigns that Sacha became increasingly involved in race management, initially starting out on the start boat so she could stay close to her son Ethan, who has type 1 diabetes. Race management stuck. She qualified as a national race officer in 2023 and has since worked at regattas from Australia to CORK in Kingston, Canada, while pursuing international certification with the Olympics in her sights.
For Sacha, returning to NPYC has also highlighted something special about the club's enduring community. After years away, it has been wonderful to come back and still see familiar faces, a testament to the friendships, families and generations of members who have made the club part of their lives over many decades.
commodore
vice commodore
Mark Jones
Mark Jones is the Vice Commodore of the New Plymouth Yacht Club and has been sailing since he was nine years old. His first yacht was an Optimist, built at home with his father, which kicked off a lifelong passion for being on the water. Over the years, Mark has sailed a range of classes including the Optimist, P-Class, Starling, ILCA (Laser), and now races a Paper Tiger catamaran that's more than 30 years old.
Alongside his role at NPYC, Mark is the current President of the New Zealand Paper Tiger Association. When he's not sailing, you'll often find him learning to wing foil. While it's been a humbling experience starting a new skill from scratch again, he's enjoying the challenge to learn a new wind-powered sport.
Mark is a strong supporter of helping people get involved in sailing and regularly assists with NPYC's Adult Learn to Sail programme. He enjoys seeing new sailors build confidence and develop their skills on the water and is always happy to share his knowledge and lend a hand. As part of the club's leadership team, Mark is committed to ensuring the club remains a welcoming and inclusive place for sailors of all ages and abilities.
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