Youth Officers focus on engaging, recognising, and retaining youth members. Youth Officers work closely with club management teams and members to plan and coordinate the youth engagement program including lifesaving and social activities.
Discover a range of resources below to assist you in creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere at your club. Make sure to provide a diverse and engaging lineup of activities for youth, while effectively communicating the wealth of opportunities available for them to enhance their skills, gain recognition, and earn qualifications in exchange for their time and dedication.
Youth Officer Key Resources
Youth Officer Position Description
The Youth Officer Position Description outlining the roles and responsibilities of a Club Youth Officer can be found here.
Youth Officer Welcome Pack
The Youth Officer Welcome Pack offers a guide to your role with practical tips and advice for a successful set up and delivery of the Youth Program. Including a checklist for things to do before, during and at the end of each season.
How to Engage Young People - A Guide for Clubs
This Guide for Clubs provides practical advice and tips on working with young people within surf lifesaving. It shares information on effective youth communication and is a great resource for anyone looking to improve their engagement and outcomes with youth members.
Child Safe Program - Club Handbook and Guide
SLS is committed to creating and fostering a culture that protects the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
The Child Safe Handbook provides information and resources to support clubs, branches and members to protect children and young people from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
It includes the Child Safe Code of Conduct ‘Do’s and Don’ts’, which helps identify potential risks and provides child safe strategies to manage the risks.
Patrolling Support
Patrol Playbook
The Patrol Playbook provides key information for making the most of patrols Patrol Playbook, with role specific information for Patrol Captains, Patrol Members and Youth Members. A great resource to share with Club Captains and have printed, laminated and ready for every patrol.
Patrol Welcome Message
A fantastic tool to welcome and support new youth patrol members.
The Patrol Welcome Message provides a template for clubs to communicate with new youth patrol members (and their parents) before their first patrol – this can be customising with any club’s specifics to send a warm welcome to youth members embarking on a new club experience.
Pathways, Opportunities and Recognition for Young People
Youth Participation Pathways
The Youth Participation Pathways resource shares the opportunities available to members at every age of their surf lifesaving journey. A great resource to explore and communicate with youth members, with links and additional information embedded.
Youth Employment Factsheet
Understand the range of paid employment opportunities available within Surf Life Saving for members aged 16 and above. Learn about the available roles, their requirements, and information on how to apply. A great resource to share with youth members, click here to view the factsheet.
Youth Recognition Factsheet
Acknowledging the contributions of youth members authentically and genuinely shows that your organisation is appreciative and values their input.
This resource captures key information from the NSW Youth Volunteering Guidelines.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award
We are still planning our engagement at a state level with the Duke of Edinburgh Program. Watch this space for updates throughout the season.
Get recognition for your dedication through an internationally acclaimed award. Work together with friends to learn new skills, build confidence and complete an adventurous journey to complete the bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.