Record number of participants set for BP Leaders for Life programme

A record number of BP Leaders for Life participants have been selected for the highly successful Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) leadership programme.

16 applicants from around the country have been chosen to take part, from as north as Auckland to the southernmost club, Oreti in Invercargill, which will build their leadership skills while forging stronger community outcomes.

The purpose of the BP Leaders for Life is to enhance the ability of current and emerging leaders, which previous graduates say is "an amazing year long journey".

"BP Leaders for Life is a completely unique experience that gives you so many tools to have positive influences in your clubs and communities. I feel more confident, more willing to accept challenges, and face them when I would normally turn away," said previous graduate Joanne Parry.

Originally, a total of 15 places were on offer with the selection process involving the regions identifying key leaders, but had to be extended to 16 due to the high number of quality applicants.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand Member Development Manager Belinda Slement says she's really excited about this year's new programme structure and the group of selected candidates.

"It was a tough process to select only 15 from the dozens of applications we received, hence the increase to 16, but it shows how highly valued the BP Leaders for Life programme is. We had some outstanding applicants this year and we are looking forward to rolling out our first workshop in July."

BP General Manager Debi Boffa says BP is proud to be involved in the BP Leaders for Life programme again in 2018 as it has proven valuable to young people in developing lifelong skills.

"It really is so much more than just a leadership programme. We've seen how the benefits extend beyond the individual participant into their clubs and the local community and we look forward to seeing that benefit continue for this year's candidates," she says.

SLSNZ Eastern region based participants are also supported by Zespri who say they are proud to be involved in such a fantastic programme for future leaders.

BP Leaders for Life was created in 2012 as part of a national strategy to support a wide range of development activity for members right across the Surf Life Saving community.

The first workshop is held on July 7th and 8th, in the Bay of Plenty, followed by four other workshops around the country culminating in May 2019.

SLSNZ extends their congratulations to all the selected participants for this year's BP Leaders for Life Programme.

2018-19 BP Leaders for Life participants:
Mairangi Bay - Jonathan Reshef
Mt Maunganui - Julia Conway
Mt Maunganui - Philip Pirie
Muriwai - Mackenzie Cook
Omanu - Tyler Nitschke
Onemana - Phoebe Havill
Oreti - Timothy Bell
Piha - Paul Hardy
Raglan - Isaac van der Vossen
St Clair - Maddy Crawford
Sumner - Jake Simpson
Titahi Bay - Darryn (DJ) Stapleton
Titahi Bay - Georgia McLaren
Waihi Beach - Georgia Eldridge
Waihi Beach - Lucy Scown
Whangamata - Max Jones

For more information, please contact:

Alana McIsaac, Media & Communications Manager
Phone 027 515 7157
Email media@surflifesaving.org.nz 

Or: Belinda Slement, Member Development Manager
Phone: 027 233 4014
Email: belinda.slement@surflifesaving.org.nz