National Leadership College

The National Leadership College is a week long intensive training course for approximately 24 participants from around Australia, focused on the guiding participants to finding their own leadership style. The focus of the College is for participants to develop skills and capabilities that they will enable them to play a key role in the future of their the SLS movement. The program is designed to challenge participants intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically, creating valuable opportunities for both personal and professional growth. The skills and insights gained support SLSA’s 2030 Strategic Priorities and building a stronger, united movement.

Each day offers a mix of keynote speakers, interactive electives, activities, and themed challenges. Participants are paired with mentors, providing valuable guidance and ongoing opportunities for reflection and development.

The program is designed for people who have recently moved into leadership positions, including:

• Team Managers, Team Captains, Coaches, Integrity Officers and Athlete Support Personnel
• Patrol Captains, Lifeguard Supervisors and Club Captains
• Event Managers
• Volunteer Managers, Age Managers, Program Managers
• Officials, Scrutineers, Sectional Referees
• Club Training Officers, Facilitators, Mentors
• Support Operations personnel
• SurfCom Operators

For all information around this Program, please refer to the Circular 16/25-26 National Leadership College 2026.

Where and when

Where: Sydney Harbour YHA – The Rocks, 110 Cumberland Street, Sydney NSW
When: Sunday 1 to Saturday 7 February 2026

Prerequisites

National Leadership College participants must meet the following requirements:

• Be 20 to 30 years old on 1 February 2026
• Be a current financial member of an SLSA affiliated club
• Have some previous leadership experience or training (ideally within SLS)
• Show strong potential as a future SLS leader with a drive to shape our movement’s direction

Cost

SLST will subsidise up to two Members to attend National Leadership College. All tuition, flights, meals, transport, and shared accommodation are included. Please note, attendance at all sessions is mandatory.

As part of Surf Life Saving Australia’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, SLSA are also offering four fully funded scholarships for members from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) backgrounds to participate in the National Leadership College 2026. Successful recipients will not pay the participant fee. More information is available in the Circular (link above).

Application Process

Click the following link to access the application form: National Leadership College Application Form*
A Club and Branch (if applicable) endorsement form must be uploaded to the NLC application form, before it can be submitted. The endorsement form can be downloaded separately from the SLS Hub (click here).
*If you would like to apply for the Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship, you will need to select ‘yes’ on page 2 of the application form.

Key Dates

Applications Close 28 September 2025
State/territory centre recommendations due to SLSA 3 October 2025
Successful applicants notified the week of 24 October 2025
National Leadership College 1 - 7 February 202

SLSA Women's Mentoring Program

SLSA embraces the importance of a diverse and inclusive organisation, including gender equality, and seeks to increase the number of women who hold leadership roles within SLS nationally. The Women’s Mentoring Program supports and encourages confident, strong and skilled women within SLS, to strengthen leadership skills, and identify, and develop the next generation of leaders to position SLS for the future.

SLSA Masterclass

The SLSA Leaders Masterclass is a specially designed workshop focusing on building skills for anyone with a volunteer management role in SLS. People who would benefit from attending the SLSA Leaders Masterclass include:

• Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Treasurers, Advisors, Directors and Committee Members
• Club Captains, Team Captains, Team Managers, Volunteer Managers, Duty Officers
• Event Managers
• Referees and Sectional referees

What qualifications and/or prerequisites do I need?

None. This supports all volunteers in the organisation.