Major Changes for 2025/26 season

Age Manager Course

The SLSA Age Manager Course has been updated with a refreshed look and improved content including interactive learning modules on diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as information on supporting neurodiverse children. There is no requirement for existing Age Managers to complete this course, however Age Managers must complete annual proficiency by watching the SLSA Age Manager video.

Removal of proof of age

This season, a key change will be introduced to the new member sign up process. Proof of age, such as a birth certificate, is no longer required to be sighted for new members joining a club. This change will simplify the sign-up process, and aligns with other community sport sign-up processes, simplifying the process for members.

Water safety policy changes

As part of the regular policy review cycle, Policy 1.01 – Water Safety has been reviewed for implementation in the 2025/26 season. No changes were made to the Policy; however, two minor changes have been made to the SLSA Water Safety Procedure:

1. Water Safety Shorts: Shorts are now optional rather than a mandatory requirement for Water Safety Personnel and Nipper Safety Assistants.
2. Nipper Safety Assistant: The restriction of water depth at knee depth has been removed. Instead, responsibility is placed on the water safety coordinator to ensure that the Nipper Safety Assistant can safely assist.
   

Nipper Safety Assistant (NSA) Award

A new Nipper Safety Assistant (NSA) Award has been created nationally to assist clubs with additional resources for water safety during Nippers. NSAs can support water safety personnel during Nipper activities when it has been deemed suitable by the Water Safety Supervisor and when:

• Conditions are confirmed as low risk conditions with an assessment completed in the Surf Risk Rating tool.
• The age group is U8 or below.
• Activities are shallow water only.
• NSAs do not make up more than 50% of the water safety team for the Nipper activity.

The award is available for members aged 13+ and requires completion of a 50m swim, 2-minutes of treading water, signals and rescue tube orientation and practice in its usage.