National Leaders’ Masterclass

 What is the National Leaders’ Masterclass? 

The National Leaders’ Masterclass (Masterclass) is an annual program for members aged 30+ years who currently hold a senior leadership role in Surf Life Saving (SLS). Participants come from a variety of clubs, roles and SLS backgrounds.
In late 2017, SLSA established a strategic partnership with the University of South Australia (UniSA) to assist in the facilitation of Masterclass. We deliver Masterclass in collaboration with UniSA and participants have the opportunity to enroll in a Graduate Certificate of Business Administration (Graduate Certificate) following completion of Masterclass.
The purpose of Masterclass is to provide participants with strategy and strategic thinking concepts and tools, as well as equipping them to better lead within their club or workplace. As well as learning new skills and creating opportunities for personal growth, Masterclass will open new networks with other like-minded and passionate members from across the country who are committed to making a difference within the movement. The program will challenge participants intellectually; build strategic thinkers and advocates for change. The skills gained are designed to be taken back to clubs and into other areas of the participant’s daily life, with the purpose of contributing to SLSA’s mission statement of saving lives, creating great Australians and building better communities.
Participants will benefit from exposure to the larger national movement. Networking with members from clubs nationally is a highlight as they share ideas and create new friendships and networks. Participants can see the big picture for SLS as they gain greater exposure to national goals and aspirations. Through the sharing of ideas, resources and future directions, Masterclass provides an opportunity to create an effective national movement. 

Benefits of Masterclass 

• Refreshed and extended leadership capabilities in strategy and strategic thinking. 
• A raised awareness of the issues, responsibilities and accountabilities within SLS. 
• An understanding of the alignment between the challenges of leading and managing a club and addressing some of the current societal issues. 
• An increased awareness of the requirement for leaders within SLS to think at a strategic level. 
• The opportunity to network and share ideas with other like-minded members from around Australia. 
• Exposure to Surf Life Saving at a national 

When and where is the Masterclass program?
Where: University of South Australia, Adelaide SA When: Wednesday 24 July – Sunday 28 July 2024 

Who can apply? 

Participants must meet the following requirements: 

•  Be a minimum of 30+ years of age as of January 2024 
•  Be a current financial member of an SLSA affiliated surf lifesaving club 
•  Demonstrate leadership training/experience, preferably from within the SLS movement • Currently hold a senior leadership role within SLS  
•  Possess a healthy desire to influence our organisation’s future direction. 

Participant allocation 

There will be a rigorous screening process for applications, with a limited number of participants selected from around Australia. There is no state/territory allocation, and members will be selected based on their suitability for the Program.
It is recommended that only one nomination be received from each club, encouraging clubs to nominate a member with the greatest current engagement and potential.
Participants need to be endorsed by their club, branch (where applicable) and state, however, please note that this endorsement does not guarantee acceptance. The final decision remains with SLSA. 

What type of applicant are we looking for? 

• Courageous and innovative thinkers. 
• Enthusiastic with a strong capacity to learn. 
• Individuals committed to SLS for the longer term. 
• Emerging influencer in the club. 
• Team orientated. 
• Highly motivated and self-aware. 

Participant Fee
Masterclass is predominately funded by SLSA as part of building the national leaders of the future fund. The participant fee is $950 (including GST) if the individual is flying to Adelaide, or $500 (including GST) if they are making their own way by car, bus or train. This fee covers all tuition, flights, meals, transport and accommodation in a shared apartment (own bedroom). Full attendance is a requirement for all participants at all sessions, and for Adelaide locals, accommodation and parking will be provided.
We encourage all those who are interested in Masterclass, and who meet the criteria to apply. Many clubs and/or states/territory assist with the fee, however, applicants should discuss this with the relevant contact, before applying.
There are two Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarships available from SLSA for those members who qualify (please see further information below and complete the Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarships application form). There is no participant fee for those members who are successful in securing the Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship. 

Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarships
As part of Surf Life Saving Australia’s strategy to encourage diversity within the movement, we are offering two Scholarship opportunities to members from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) backgrounds to take part in Masterclass 2024. 

Who can apply? Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship Applicants must: 

• Be culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) 
• Be a minimum of 20 years of age and a maximum of 30 years on 1 February 2024 
• Be a current financial member of an SLSA affiliated Surf Life Saving Club 
• Demonstrate potential as a future leader within SLS, with a desire to influence our future direction and their local Indigenous or CALD community. 

How does the Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship help SLS? Without educational opportunities and role models from their own community, members often do not realise the possibilities available to them. The Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship provides opportunities to emerging leaders within Indigenous and multicultural communities to gain the skills and confidence to become future leaders within their communities and strengthen the links between all Australians.
In addition to helping students achieve their educational aspirations, the Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship will help contribute to the development of a pool of positive role models and future leaders from Multicultural and
Indigenous communities, to inspire other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and CALD students to become involved and engaged within SLS and illustrate the successes that can be achieved through education. 

How to Apply
As Masterclass is predominately funded by SLSA and we receive many applications for the limited positions, we ask that participants respond to a few questions before their SLS state/territory endorse the application. 

Supporting Documentation The following documents must be uploaded to the Masterclass application form, before it can be submitted: 

• Club and Branch (if applicable) endorsement form. This form can be found on the last page of this circular (click here), or it can be downloaded separately from the SLS Members Area (click here). 
• A current CV or resume. 

Application Form
Click the relevant link below to access the application form: 

•  SLSA Leaders’ Masterclass 2024 Application form 
•  Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship Application form* 

*If you wish to apply for the Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship, please ensure you complete the Multicultural and Indigenous Scholarship Application form only. All other applicants should complete the SLSA Leaders’ Masterclass 2024 Application form. 

State/Territory Endorsement
Once the application form has been submitted, it will automatically be sent to the relevant State/Territory for their endorsement.