New Junior Lifesaver of the Year FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Nearly 60 of the state’s brightest young lifesavers will come together on the Northern Beaches in April for the Ingenia Holiday Parks Junior Lifesaver of the Year (JLOTY) Program and the Youth Opportunity Makers (YOM) Workshop – two of Surf Life Saving NSW’s flagship youth development programs.

Held from 11-13 April at The Collaroy Centre, the programs 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.

Collectively, the group will further develop their skills by working with like-minded young members and the program aims to build a greater awareness of opportunities and individual abilities in the membership.

INGENIA HOLIDAY PARKS JUNIOR LIFESAVER OF THE YEAR PARTICIPANTS:

Zoe Hope – Far North Coast

Lachlan Thomas – Far North Coast

Ned O’Donnell – North Coast

Lillian Lougher – North Coast

Gabby Turner – Mid North Coast

Jack McGrath – Mid North Coast

Jack Drury – Lower North Coast

Lucy Miller – Lower North Coast

Kaylah Broadhead – Hunter

Gabe Widseth – Hunter

Rebecca Lawer – Central Coast

Samuel Terry – Central Coast

Chanelle Humel – Sydney Northern Beaches

Ewan Humphreys – Sydney Northern Beaches

Sophia Garvin – Sydney

Calum Reiter – Sydney

Darcy Weber – Illawarra

Nate Jennett – Illawarra

Isabelle Hourigan – South Coast

Cameron Campbell – South Coast

Luke Drewsen – Far South Coast

Rosie McPartland – Far South Coast

“I always wanted to be part of surf lifesaving when I’m older and going through things like this program has been a dream to me,” 2022 co-Junior Lifesaver of the Year, Jayden Matthews of Lennox Head-Alstonville SLSC said.

“It’s given us the tools to show the next generation how they can be involved on so many different levels of lifesaving and build confidence in your ability and those around you,” fellow winner, Briella Gyler-Dial of Caves Beach SLSC said.

Ingenia Holiday Parks is once again on board as Naming Rights partner of the JLOTY Program, with General Manager of Tourism, Matt Young stating the East Coast holiday park operator was proud to be supporting our future leaders.

“We are extremely proud to support the Junior Lifesaver of the Year program again in its 33rd year and recognise the next generation of volunteer lifesavers and lifeguards,” he said.

“We love to see these kids keeping our beaches and communities safe –especially as so many of our holiday park guests go swimming at the beach.

“These kids make Australia a better place, and we are grateful.”

The Junior Lifesavers of the Year will be awarded at a presentation on 13 April.