Athlete Development Pathways

Victorian Development Squad:

The Victorian Development Squad is available to all members aged U12-U15. The Squad provides athletes with additional coaching and skill training opportunities throughout the winter. The program includes surf skills, cross training, pool training and competition training and is directed to assist junior athletes in improving their skills and abilities.

Victorian Youth High Performance Squad:

The Youth High Performance Squad is selected based on results from U12-U14 athletes during the State Championships. The squad aims to provide athletes with coaching and skills training from some of the best coaches in the state, and prepare athletes for the Australian Youth Championships and the Southern State Challenge whilst competing for the Victorian Development Team.

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 2018 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 2019 the team will compete in New South Wales, at Newport Beach against the rest of Australia.

Congratulations to the following members who have been selected to represent Victoria at the SLSA Interstates Championship in January 2019.

Victorian State Team

The Victorian RLSSA Pool State Team is our pool team which competes annually at the RLSSA Australian Pool Championships. In 2019 the team will compete against the rest of Australia in Sydney at Pymble Ladies College.

Congratulations to the following members who have been selected to represent Victoria at the RLSSA Australian Pool Championships in January 2019.

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 2018, the ASRL Open will be held at Elouera 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.