Athlete Development Pathways

The Athlete Development Program has undergone a review and will be conducted a little differently in 2021 to provide the best opportunities to a wider group of Victorian athletes.

The 2021/2022program will consist of two tiers:

Sporting Excellence Program (SEP)

The SEP is focused on and designed to complement and extend the skills of committed participants by allowing them to train with the best Surf Life Saving athletes in Victoria and to be coached by quality coaches outside of their normal club environment. Athletes must be committed to the program with the aim to attend all sessions.

Program Aims:

– Develop the skills of our very best athletes to help prepare them for the upcoming 21/22 competition season.

– Establish links between clubs and coaches from all clubs within Victoria.

– Assist in the selection of the Victorian Team that will compete in the Interstate Championships

– Prepare athletes for the 2022 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships being held in Perth, WA

– Provide a pathway for developing athletes to elite level competition and exposure to competition against elite athletes

– Providing a training base here in Victoria for top athletes (instead of heading interstate for development and coaching)

About the Program:

– Athletes by Invitation – 40 athletes who meet criteria set and can show that they are deserving of a place in the program

– U17/U19 & Open athletes who commit to full program

– 5 Sessions (incorporating fitness testing/technique/skill development/athlete wellness/team bonding etc)

– Invited Discipline Specific Coaches (Ski/Swim/Board/Beach)

– Beach Athletes / Water Athletes

– Providing development for new Performance Coaches

– Possible travel to interstate competition after the program

Criteria:

– 2021 Australian titles results

– 2021 State titles results in individual races

– Commitment to 2021 Victorian Competition Season

– Commitment to State Team Trials

– Commitment to the Interstates Championships

Based on the 2020/2021 carnival season that we have had due to COVID, these are the only criteria we can utilise.  The usual points were not collected over the disrupted season.

Cost:

$200 per athlete (includes jacket)

Program Dates & Times:

Dates, times and venues are subject to change.

Invitations:

Forty (40) athletes will be initially invited to take a position into the SEP.  These invitations will be emailed on Thursday 1 July.  Application and completed survey must be completed by 9am Wednesday 7 July 2021.  If surveys are not completed, then applications will not be considered.  If there are remaining spaces in the squad, a second round invite will be emailed to athletes on Wednesday 7 July and applications and surveys to be completed by Tuesday 13 July.

2021 Sporting Excellence Program Athletes Announced

Winter Development Program

The Winter Development Program is available to all members aged U12-U17. The Squad provides athletes with additional coaching and skill training opportunities throughout the winter season. The program includes surf skills, cross training, and competition training and is directed to assist junior athletes in improving their skills and abilities.

Program Aims:

– Develop and improve lifesaving competition theory and technique skills

– Help athletes to understand what type and training and frequency is needed to compete successfully in Surf Lifesaving Competition

– Help them understand options for competing outside of Victoria

– Give them a head start for preparation for the upcoming summer season

– Encourage a positive approach to training and competition through process and performance goal setting, planning (long term and short) and training/competing with a Growth Mindset

– Provide skills in nutrition, first-aid, basic board maintenance

– Build friendships with coaches and athletes from other clubs in Victoria

About the Program:

– Open to athletes U12 – U17

– 5 sessions (incorporating general fitness/technical skills/dry land/recovery/athlete wellness/teamwork etc)

– Development/Performance/Club coaches to assist

– Initial bay sessions to involve fitness and basic techniques & beach skills

– Surf beach sessions – specific to disciplines (i.e. Beach/ board/ski etc)

– All athletes to be involved in all disciplines (e.g. board/beach/swim etc)

– Guest speakers (nutrition/physio etc)

– Approx squad numbers – 120 athletes (15 female & 15 males in each of U12/U13/U15/U17 age groups)

Criteria:

– Endorsement required from Club Committee Member & submitted with application

– Completion of Athlete Survey

– Commitment to the full program (5 sessions)

– Commitment to the Victorian 2021/2022 Carnival Season

– Interest in attending State Team Trials

– Interest in Pathway Cup/Interstates Championships

– Commitment from parents to assist in the conduct of the Program (e.g. water safety/group assistants/coaches etc)

Numbers may be reduced if we are unable to secure the assistance of club coaches.  This program will provide a development opportunity for coaches as well as athletes.

Cost:

$200 per athlete (includes hoodie)

Program Dates & Times:

 

Dates, times and venues are subject to change.

 

Expressions of Interest will be sent out to athletes, clubs, coaches during the week of 5 July 2021.  Applications will be open for 2 weeks.  Applications must be made through the online form.  Athletes must complete the survey and upload an endorsement letter from a Club Committee person.  This must be signed and dated.   Once applications have been received, they will be reviewed, and athletes will be advised if they have secured a position in the Squad. 

 

Victorian Pool State Training Squad:

All members who are interested in Pool Swimming are invited to come to Victorian Pool Squad Training on Sunday evenings at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

U14’s and beginners train from 5-5.45pm, the main squad trains from 5.45-7pm. All athletes are required to assist with entry and lane hire cost for the training via contributions before each session. The current fee for 2021 is set at $15 per person per session.

Please contact sport@lsv.com.au to register your interest or for any further questions in regards to the Victorian Pool Training Squad.

State Teams

The Victorian State Team is our ‘beach/surf’ state team which competes annually in the SLSA Interstate Championships. In 2020 the team will compete in Queensland, Alexandra Headlands against the rest of Australia.

Congratulations to the following members who have been selected to represent Victoria at the SLSA Interstates Championship in January 2020.

Victorian State Team

The Victorian RLSSA Pool State Team is our pool team which competes annually at the RLSSA Australian Pool Championships. In 2020 the team will compete against the rest of Australia in Perth, at HBF Stadium.

Congratulations to the following members who have been selected to represent Victoria at the RLSSA Australian Pool Championships in January 2020

Victorian RLSSA Pool State Team

Victorian RLSSA Pool State Development Team

 

The Victorian Surf Boat Team competes in the Interstate Championship section of the ASRL Open each year. In 2020, the ASRL Open will be held at Mollymook Beach in New South Wales.

The Victorian Team will be made up of crews from all divisions (Open Men’s, Open Women’s, Reserve Grade, Under 23 Men’s, Under 23 Women’s, and U19’s).

 

The Victorian IRB State & Development Team competes at the SLSA IRB Interstate Championships, held on the Friday before the Australian IRB Championships. The Victorian IRB Team is made up of 16 competitors plus 2 spares, enough to fill a team in the IRB Relay.

 

The Victorian Wieland Shield Team competes biannually against a team of Californian Lifeguards. The event switches host nation each time, meaning every 4th year Victoria hosts the event. Competition for the Wieland Shield was conceived during Melbourne’s 1956 Olympic Games. Since 1967, the Los Angeles County Lifeguards and Life Saving Victoria have been exchanging competitive and educational tours on a biennial basis.

A perpetual trophy for competition was awarded during the visit of the USA team to Australia in 1967, which was made from Victorian red gum wood, and is retained by the winning team until the next opportunity comes up for competition between Victoria and the California. The idea for the trophy came from the then American Consul-General in Victoria, Mr W. A. Wieland.

The competition is just as much about camaraderie and sharing ideas because there are significant differences in the way lifesaving systems worked in Australia and the US.

Nominations for the 2020 competition will open closer to the date.