SLSNSW Club Guide

Junior Activity Teams

Junior Activity Chairs

Junior Activity Chairs (JACs) are the volunteers who work closely with the Club Management Team to plan and coordinate the program of junior activities for the SLSC each season. They work closely with Age Managers, Patrol Captains and Water Safety Personnel. They assist them in carrying out their roles effectively during the Junior Development Program’s Surf Education awards and other junior activities.

SLSNSW recommends that the JAC organises an Annual Age Manager Skills Maintenance session before the start of each season that covers the following topics:

  • Age Manager responsibilities
  • Best-practice sharing
  • Updates to SLSA, SLSNSW, branch, SLSC and junior development program policies, guidelines, SOPS and resources.
  • Water safety signals.

A JAC course is available for new and existing JACs to participate in. This course helps them to prepare for the role and follow current best-practice guidelines to ensure the effectiveness and success of junior activities at their SLSC. JACs are encouraged to speak with their Branch Director of Member Services and Branch Director of Junior Activities for further course information.

They should also refer to the latest SLSA Age Manager’s Learner Guide for information about programming a Nipper season in addition to the following resources that provide an overview of the key information that JACs need to be aware of concerning the Junior Development program:

Refer to the Junior Activity Chair Role Description for more information about this role.

Age Managers

Age Managers are the volunteers who deliver the Junior Development Program to children aged between 5–13 years. They create a fun, safe, learning environment while developing future surf lifesavers by building knowledge, skills and confidence.

The key responsibilities of Age Managers are to:

  1. Administer the Junior Development Program resources available within the SLSA Junior Development Resource Kit (JDR Kit)
  2. Provide instruction and impart knowledge by facilitating fun learning programs that encourage and develop young surf lifesavers
  3. Embrace each junior member’s prior knowledge and unique learning style.

Financial members over the age of 15 with a current WWCC who want to become an Age Manager need to complete the SLSA Age Managers course. SLS members can complete the course through online or face-to-face theory training and an on-the-beach practical session followed by two on-the-beach mentoring sessions with an Age Manager Mentor.

SLSCs are encouraged to promote a uniform for Age Managers to ensure they are easily identifiable for Nippers, parents and members of the public. Age Manager uniforms are also a great sponsorship opportunity! Uniforms should follow sun safety guidelines and include a broad brim hat, long sleeve shirt or rash vest branded with ‘Age Manager’, long shorts and protective sunglasses.

For more information about the role of an Age Manager, refer to the latest SLSA Age Manager’s Learner Guide that outlines:

• Programming a Nipper season
• The Age Managers course
• The role of an age manager and age manager mentor the SLSA Junior Development Program
• What’s in the JDR Kit.

Also, refer to the SLSNSW Junior Activities website for more information about being an Age Manager in NSW.

Water Safety Supervisor

A Water Safety Supervisor is responsible for the safe conduct of the SLS surf sports activities in the water. Refer to the Water Safety section of this Club Guide for more information.

Supporting Roles

Many roles support the delivery of the Junior Development Program. For example:

  • Age Manager mentors
  • Parents and guardians
  • Patrol Captains, surf lifesavers, lifesaving cadets and award members on patrol
  • Surf Sport Officer and coaches
  • Water Safety Personnel.

Refer to the SLSNSW Junior Activities for more information about these roles and how they support the junior development program.