Positive start for new BP Leaders for Life structure

Changes to the structure of Surf Life Saving's BP Leaders for Life programme have proven to be positive after the first workshop was held in the Bay of Plenty over the weekend.

The 15 candidates from around the country took part in two days of activity at the Omanu Surf Club.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Member Development Manager Belinda Slement says the theme for the first workshop was around leading with integrity and understanding themselves.

"Each candidate completed a Team Management Profile which gave them all insights into their own leadership traits and Surf Life Saving New Zealand Chairman Brent Warner spoke to the group, offering some valuable insights into leadership and how the Board operates," she says.

The purpose of the BP Leaders for Life is 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.

While small changes have been made from year-to-year since the programme began in 2012, this year it underwent a major review and, as an outcome, a new format has been introduced for this season which involved identifying key leaders.

"The changes we made to the selection process have really paid off this year, says Mrs Slement.

"We have an amazing bunch of leaders who have already demonstrated their skill, knowledge and motivation over the weekend. I am very excited for this year's groups and can't wait to see things roll out during the year."

The candidates have been put into four groups and assigned a project to work on across the lifesaving, education, sport and membership spaces.

"Each group has started planning their project and we look forward to seeing how they are rolled out over the next 10 months."

The next workshop will be held in Auckland from September 23-24 where the candidates will also attend the Surf Life Saving New Zealand Awards of Excellence.

The remaining workshops will take place in Wellington in November, Christchurch in March and conclude in Wellington in May.

For more information about BP Leaders for Life, please visit /education/member-education/bp-leaders-for-life/

Leadership project groups:

Lifesaving
• Brook Smith, Opunake
• Felix Cook, Mt Maunganui
• Ella Boyens, Raglan
• Alex Beggs, Pauanui
• Natalie Wilson, Whangamata

Education
• Joanne Parry, Pukehina
• Casey Stevens, NPOB
• Rachel Oakley, St Kilda
• Mark Gordon, United North Piha

Sport Business
• Michael Buck, Mairangi Bay
• Ellis Hickson-Rowden, Worser Bay
• Brad Kehoe, Mangawhai Heads

Membership
• Paave Ruksaksakul, Lyall Bay
• Kathryn Stewart, Papamoa
• Sam Teteina, Bethells

For more information, please contact:

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