Zespri scholarship recipients grateful for BP Leaders for Life experience

The 2016 BP Leaders for Life programme will come to a close for all 18 candidates this weekend with the final round of workshops in Wellington where they will present their group projects that they have been working on since the programme began in June.

This year's Zespri scholarship recipients are unanimous that the programme has been a great experience for them in understanding their leadership styles.

BP Leaders for Life is part of a national strategy to support a wide range of development activity for member's right across the Surf Life Saving community. It aims to enhance the ability of current and emerging leaders within the Surf Life Saving community to make a real difference to their clubs and across the wider organisation.

Part of Surf Life Saving's partnership with Zespri, which was formed in February, sees a number of scholarships available for the BP Leaders for Life programme each year to cover the user-pays component of the course cost for Eastern Region candidates.

The three Eastern Region candidates, Jessica Blair (Waihi Beach Surf Life Saving Club), Kate Boersen and Daniel Gordon (both Pauanui Surf Life Saving Club) were this year's scholarship recipients.

In one of the previous workshops, candidates completed their personal profiles to better understand their work preferences and how they can contribute better as a developing leader.

Kate says seeing her personal profile helped her to learn more about her leadership strengths and areas where she can improve as a leader, both within her club and at a regional level.

"Being a part of the BP Leaders for Life programme has given me the opportunity to meet other like-minded lifeguards throughout the country," she says.

Jess agrees it was good getting to meet fellow club members from around the country. "Throughout the workshops, we have developed relationships and learnt how to work effectively with them on a project to solve problems amongst the organisation at a membership level. The project has taught us how to communicate in various ways and ensure we use our leadership skills in areas that will benefit the team the most. All of this has been complimented and achieved through the valuable workshops and the help of our senior members guiding us in the correct direction to achieve our goals," she says.

Overall, Jess says BP Leaders for Life has been an incredible experience and a huge learning curve. "A massive thank you for all the support we have received throughout the course," she says.

Dan says he has really enjoyed his experience so far. "Some of the highlights have included listening to guest speaker, adventurer Jamie Fitzgerald, learning in-depth about my own leadership style and meeting and hearing stories from all of the other candidates," he says.

For more information about BP Leaders for Life, click here.

2016 candidates:

• Shane Edwards, Sunset Beach
• Mark Edwards, Sunset Beach
• Samantha Ellis, Waipu Cove
• Catie Mulrennan, United North Piha
• Jessica Reilly, Raglan
• Jessica Blair, Waihi Beach
• Kate Boersen, Pauanui
• Daniel Gordon, Pauanui
• Tessa Bruin, Worser Bay
• Hannah Sturmer, East End
• Sarah Ball, Oreti
• Matt Bradley, St Clair
• Nic Brice, St Kilda
• Cameron Burrow, St Clair
• Libby Clifton, St Clair
• Brittany Jeffcott-Moore, Waikuku
• Shana Pohe, Brighton
• Heather Thompson, St Clair

Daniel Gordon, Kate Boersen and Jessica Blair.

For more information, please contact:

Lisa Smith, Media & Communications Manager, SLSNZ
Phone 09 303 9335 or 0276 488 823
Email lisa.smith@surflifesaving.org.nz