2024/25 Program

Rookie Passport

• Records all activities Rookies do throughout the year and encourages Rookies to actively seek experience in Surf Life Saving and the community.
• Provides on the job experience to patrols before becoming full patrol members
• Partnered up with a patrol buddy to guide and engage with while on patrol.
• Runs for the entire patrol season

Rookie Challenge

• A team-based lifesaving competition where Rookies compete in events which simulate specific lifesaving skills.
• A fun and interactive competition
• A date for this event will be confirmed early in the 2023/24 season.

What is it about?

Surf Life Saving introduced the Rookie Lifesaver Program during the 1993/1994 season. The Program was developed to assist with the education and retention of our 12 – 14 year old members through a structured development program. The Rookie Lifesaver Program is aimed at developing our future surf lifesavers in the areas of surf education, beach management and related career paths within the surf life saving movement.

The Rookie Lifesaver Program has been developed for youth in U13-U14 age groups. Every Rookie is matched to a “Patrol Buddy” who will guide their development throughout the program. The experience to work with knowledgeable and qualified lifesavers to be accepted as an integrated part of a team in the patrol environment, which will ensure each of our Rookies undergoes the best training experience. The opportunities and experiences our Rookies receive will provide a positive footing for future development and training.

Aims of the Rookie Program

• Develop the hands on surf lifesaving skills of young members
• Provide a transition and bridge the gap between the nipper and senior lifesaving ranks
• Provide a structured career path in surf lifesaving
• Develop strong ties between Senior and Junior Members as a result of involvement in this program
• Club patrols will become more efficient as patrol members become involved with the development of juniors whilst on patrol.
• Understand the surf lifesaving philosophy
• Encouragement to complete the Surf Rescue Certificate, and ability to gain the Bronze Medallion (Cert II Public Safety – Aquatic Rescue).
• Have fun!

Junior Lifesaver of the Year

Surf Life Saving Central Coast Newcastle Permanent Junior Lifesaver of the Year award is an ideal opportunity for Clubs to recognise their Under 14 member’s achievements in Surf Life Saving and the contributions they have made to Surf Life Saving at all levels and in the community. All under 14 members who believe they could be the next Junior Lifesaver of the Year should apply through their Club. The male and female Branch winners will then progress to the SLSNSW Junior Lifesaver of the Year Development Camp

Key Dates
2024/25 Dates – TBC

The Nomination Process

Clubs are invited to submit one female and one male nominee for the Junior Lifesaver of the Year award. Nominations must be completed with a questionnaire and medical information attached. (Resumes will not be considered by the judges, and should not be included with the nomination forms). All nominations are to be endorsed by clubs and returned to Surf Life Saving Central Coast.

The Interview Process
The interview process is divided up into four sections

• Theory test
• Signals
• CPR scenario and
• An interview which will be conducted by independent SLSCC assessors/personnel and Newcastle Permanent staff.

The results are recorded and tallied up to give a score out of 102. The breakdown of results are as follows

• Theory Test – 12
• CPR – 12
• Signals – 8
• Interview – 70

The male and female with the highest scores become the Newcastle Permanent Junior Lifesavers of the Year.

The criteria during the interview will be based on the nominee’s achievements in the following areas:

• Contribution to Surf Life Saving
• Demonstration of leadership roles in club activities
• The contribution made to the club
• Awards received in Surf Life Saving and the community
• Involvement in community events outside of Surf Life Saving
• Awareness of club events and current affairs
• Initiative applied to cub and community activities
• Promotion of Surf Life Saving to the community
• Attendance record at club activities
• Encouragement of new members
• Demonstration of surf lifesaving knowledge and skills

** Please note nominees must have completed their SRC and be proficient to be eligible for the Newcastle Permanent Junior Lifesaver of the Year award.

The Newcastle Permanent Junior Lifesaver of the Year winners will be announced at the SLSCC Junior Branch Championships.

Leadership is a vital factor in the continued development of Australian communities. Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) is committed to the personal development of identified leaders within its membership and the wider community.

The Newcastle Permanent Youth Development Program is aimed at Youth members within the U13 and U14 age groups with potential to become a leader and have an interest in improving their surf club.

The Program

The Program is structured as a one off weekend in a camp setting and is aimed at members who have qualities that can be developed to enhance their future and that of surf lifesaving.

SLSCC presents a range of leadership and team-building activities along with topic focussed presentations. The program also incorporates a workshop session aimed at allowing participants to develop events, functions and activities that they believe will increase Youth participation and satisfaction in surf life saving on the Central Coast.

Aims of the Newcastle Permanent Youth Development Program include:

• Create situations that promote fun learning experiences
• Create an awareness of current issues, pathways and opportunities
• Promote teamwork, communication skills and networking
• Form new friendships with other like-minded youth within the Central Coast Branch
• Develop confidence, self-esteem and empowerment in a supportive environment whilst positively recognising members
• Provide opportunities for ideas to be exchanged
• To gain knowledge of the structure of surf lifesaving
• Have fun!

Commitment

It is expected that each participant will be fully committed and available for the Development Program over the whole weekend and are willing to contribute to the activities to their fullest potential.

Who Can Apply?

The Newcastle Permanent Youth Development Program targets current and financial U13-U14 age group members who have qualities that can be developed to enhance their future and that of surf lifesaving. It is also geared toward creating greater awareness of opportunities for these members. Potential participants can come from a range of different backgrounds, interests and areas of focus within the club environment.

The SLSCC Youth Development program provides youth members with a structured engagement program to keep them motivated and involved in Surf Life Saving.

The program also offers them the opportunity to explore and become involved in a range of areas within the movement which they may not have previously considered.

The Youth Engagement Program aims to:

• Engage and expose participants to a variety of activities and pathways available within surf life saving
• Increase the retention of members between over the age of 15 years of age – assisting the transition from the junior movement into the senior movement
• Encourage continuous development of youth
• Promote increased participation and commitment of youth
• Increase the recognition of members through the identification of contributions and activities of our youth members
• Positively promote youth as respected members and citizens within their local community

Leadership is a vital factor in the continued development of Australian communities. Surf Life Saving Central Coast (SLSCC) is committed to the personal development of identified leaders within its membership and the wider community.

In 2007, SLSCC introduced the Youth Leadership Program targeting 17-19 year old members. It was recognised that this age bracket was vital in completing an effective Leadership and Development Pathway for SLSCC, and thus the Program was developed.

The Program

The Program is structured as a series of workshops in a team based setting which is aimed at youth members who have leadership qualities that can be developed to enhance their future and that of surf lifesaving. Participants will take part in workshops and presentations for focused learning, in addition to some physical activities and challenges. They will also complete problem-solving exercises, face personal challenges and participate in team-based activities, all delivered under the guidance of active leaders from lifesaving, business and the community.

Aims of the Youth Leadership Program include:

• To provide basic training in leadership and development
• To create situations that promote fun learning experiences
• To create an awareness of current issues, pathways and opportunities
• To promote teamwork, communication skills, networking and goal setting
• To develop confidence and self-esteem in a supportive environment
• Positively recognising youth members and provide opportunities for ideas to be exchanged
• To gain knowledge of the structure of Surf Lifesaving
• Have fun !

Who Can Apply?

The Youth Leadership Program targets current and financial 17-19 year old members who have qualities that can be developed to enhance their future and that of Surf Lifesaving. It is also geared toward creating greater awareness of opportunities for these members. Potential participants can come from a range of different backgrounds, interests and areas of focus within the club environment.

Our programs centre around the idea that Surf Life Saving is more than a club; exploring the next steps in participants’ leadership journey – from self-leadership to small team leadership, developing their social network within the movement, and highlighting pathway and opportunities within and external to Surf Life Saving.

These programs offer an opportunity for you to build confidence and skills to lead and facilitate others, foster connections with like-minded people from around the Central Coast and further and to have a positive influence on others experience within Surf Life Saving.

We want to ensure participants feel empowered and valued, leaving with improved leadership and problem-solving skills, and expanded network of friends, and are motivated to achieve their goals. Our primary objective is for our participants and facilitators to find these programs valuable and enjoyable.