Governance Tools & Training
Your role in supporting club governance is critical to the success of Surf Lifesaving in New Zealand. While we work to develop a bespoke training programme for our members it’s important that those looking to expand on their knowledge and skills have the resources available to do so.
This page provides a summary of training and development opportunities available to our members and the wider community.
Need additional support or resources? Reach out to one of the Club Capability team
- Dominic Sutton – Club Capability Manager, NZ
021 190 1727 / dominic.sutton@surflifesaving.org.nz - Gabriella De Latour - Club Capability Lead - Northern Region
027 906 8529 / gabriella.delatour@surflifesaving.org.nz - JD Daniels - Club Capability Lead - Northern Region
021 107 0331 / jd.daniels@surflifesaving.org.nz - Louise Calvert – Club Capability Lead – Eastern Region
027 655 5746 / louise.calvert@surflifesaving.org.nz - Phoebe Havill – Club Capability Lead – Southern Region
021 199 8663 / phoebe.havill@surflifesaving.org.nz
SLSNZ - Governance Fundamentals
This course gives an easy-to-follow overview of governance for Surf Life Saving clubs. It’s open to all members, but is especially useful for anyone currently on, or interested in joining, a club’s board or committee.
You’ll learn how governance teams are formed, the different roles within them, and what your responsibilities are as a board or committee member. The course also covers the key legal requirements for Incorporated Societies, managing conflicts of interest, and your club’s reporting and compliance obligations.
Access the Governance Fundamentals Module via eTrainU
Role Descriptions
SLSNZ has developed templates for common roles which can be downloaded and adapted to suit the needs of your governance team and club.
The available templates are:
- Club Captain
- Club Chair
- Club Patron
- Club President
- Independent Governance officer
- Junior Surf Officer
- Lifesaving Officer
- Sport Officer
- Treasurer
Governance 101 - Sport NZ
This online course covers the fundamentals of governance and is provided free of charge through Sport NZ, it takes 2-3 hours to complete.
The online modules available are;
- What's my job? The role of the director
- What's our job? The strategic role of the board
- Who does the job? Recruiting and retaining the best people
- Let's meet. Inside the boardroom
- Who do we work for? Accountability, ethics and integrity
- What's next? Actions and further resource
Thriving Under Fire
Thriving Under Fire (TUF) is an award winning programme used in retail and service industries that has been adapted for those involved with sport and recreation. This course gives you the skills and knowledge to deal with passionate (and sometimes difficult) people.
- How to understand and respond to an upset person
- How to manage your own emotions when faced with emotional people
- How to improve your emotional and social intelligence
- Skills and knowledge training in communication models
- How to train your brain to work better in difficult moments
- Real life examples with modelling and practice
- Dealing with special groups and situations
SLS Leadership Pathways
Surf Life Saving offers a variety of leadership development opportunities to members both internally and via partner organisations.
Find out more about these opportunities here
SLS Leadership Pathways