Eight North Coast youth nominated for Junior Lifesavers of the Year accolade
Surf Lifesavers from the Far North, North, Mid North and Lower North Coasts are nominated for the prestigious award.
Mid-North Coast
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Eight local junior lifesavers have been nominated for a prestigious award.
They will join more than 50 of the state’s most promising young lifesavers when they come together on the Northern Beaches next month for two of Surf Life Saving NSW’s (SLSNSW) flagship youth development programs.
Held from 12-14 April at The Collaroy Centre, the Ingenia Holiday Parks Junior Lifesaver of the Year (JLOTY) Program and the Youth Opportunity Makers (YOM) Workshop assist young lifesavers to grow networks, establishing lasting connections and building knowledge through fun and interactive activities.
The JLOTY Program brings together all 22 of the Junior Lifesavers of the Year, nominated by the 11 Branches.
At the end of the program, the overall NSW Junior Lifesavers of the Year (male and female) will be awarded.
Local nominees represent Surf Lifesaving Clubs (SLSC) from the Far North, North, Mid North and Lower North Coasts.
They are: Ruby Yantsch, Jayden Matthews, Larnie Mordue, Jack Barry, Milly McGrath, Jarvis Lineham, Gemma Eady-Muxlow and Lucas Guiney.
The Lower North Coast’s Gemma Eady-Muxlow is thrilled to be a finalists for the 2022 title and is ready to make new friends at The Collaroy Centre.
“I am so excited to be a finalist for the Junior Lifesaver of the Year because it is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about Surf Life Saving and meet new people,” she said.
“I have made so many great friendships through Surf Life Saving and I have learnt so many skills.
“Surf Life Saving is a huge part of my life – my family has always been involved in the surf club, and I am so happy that I am a part of it.”
The Mid North Coast’s Jarvis Lineham has had a similar experience in his time as a member of SLSNSW.
“Surf Life Saving is such an important part of my life – our community is like a big family,” he said.
“I love the camaraderie, fitness and competition, but most of all I love having the ability to save lives on our beautiful beaches.
“I feel like it’s my way of giving back to the community that has supported me.”
Like Gemma, Jarvis is looking forward to the youth development opportunities that lie ahead.
“I’m so excited to attend the JLOTY leadership camp in Sydney next month,” he said.
“It’s such an amazing opportunity to learn more about Surf Life Saving, meet new people from all over the state who share my passion, and build on my leadership skills.
“I’m so grateful for this experience and I hope I can do my club and branch proud.”
The eight locals will further develop their skills by working with the other like-minded young members in the 50-strong program, building a greater awareness of opportunities and individual abilities within SLSNSW.
Former JLOTY program participant, Lily Gazzard from Kiama Downs SLSC, said the class of 2022 can expect plenty of personal growth as part of the program.
“They will get to meet a lot of influential people and they’ll have a lot of fun and just learn a lot,” she said.
“They can expect a lot of advice.
“We have so many connections now, when we want to help our club, we can.”
The Junior Lifesavers of the Year will be awarded at a presentation on Thursday, April 14.
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