The Lifesaving World Championships (LWC) is an event that is contested biennially, consisting of events spread across the pool, beach and ocean in both Open & Youth age categories. For the LWC2022 Campaign all athletes wishing to be selected to the following squads must complete the below nomination form:
- Australian Life Saving Team Squad
- Australian Life Saving Team Pathway Squad
- Australian Youth Life Saving Team Squad
- U14/U15 Talent ID Squad
Given the continued restrictions relating to International travel the 2022 campaign will be significantly impacted. For 2021 we have already seen Sanyo Cup (Fukuoka, Japan) and International Surf Rescue Challenge (Daytona Beach, USA) cancelled with potential likelihood that the ALT will also be unable to travel to German Cup (Warendorf, GER) and Orange Cup (Eindhoven, NED). Updates regarding ILS events will be continue to provided as more information is available.
Squads
For the LWC2022 Campaign, the Australian Life Saving Team High Performance Program will be made up of 4 squads:
Australian Life Saving High Performance Squad (ALT)
Athletes with the capacity and point scoring capability to represent the Australian Life Saving Team at pinnacle international events, which may include but are not limited to;
- New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships 2021
- German Cup & Orange Cup 2021
- World Games 2022
- Life Saving World Championships 2022
Australian Pathway Life Saving Squad
Once again, the Lifesaving World Championships 2022 Campaign will feature a “Pathway Life Saving Program” for those athletes outside the Australian Life Saving High Performance Squad but with potential to represent Australia at World Championships in 2024 and beyond. This Pathway squad will be invited to and attend specific team / squad camps and training sessions of which pathway coaches will be responsible for the planning and delivery of these camps, along with on-going performance and progression monitoring. Athletes within the Pathway Life Saving Squad may be selected to represent the Australian Life Saving Team at international events, which may include but are not limited to;
- New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships (Oct 2021)
- German Cup & Orange Cup (Nov 2021)
- Sanyo Cup 2022 (June)
- World Games (July 2022)
- Life Saving World Championships 2022 (September)
Australian Youth Life Saving Squad (AYLT)
As per International Life Saving (ILS) regulations, to be eligible for the AYLT athletes must be born between 01/01/2004 – 31/12/2007. Athletes selected will have the capacity and capability across the LWC suite of events (https://www.lifesaving2020.it/event/37/competitions-and-results/disciplines) with the primary goal of winning World Championships. The Australian Youth Life Saving Squad will be made up of the top 30-42 athletes with the capacity and point scoring capability to represent the Australian Youth Life Saving Team at pinnacle international events, which may include but are not limited to;
- New Zealand Pool Rescue Championships (Oct 2021)
- Life Saving World Championships 2022 (September)
U14/U15 Talent ID Squad
For the Lifesaving World Championships 2022 Campaign a talent ID squad for identified U14/U15 athletes who will be eligible for youth world championships in 2024 and beyond will be introduced to assist with the development and understanding of International Life Saving events while also rewarding the exceptional results produced by these athletes at state and national carnivals. A range of online sessions catering toward these athletes will be delivered to assist with continued growth and development of these athletes.
Athlete Levies
With lifesaving sport still falling outside of Sport Australia’s funding categorisation model as we are not an Olympic, Paralympic or Commonwealth Games sport, there is no available high performance funding. As a result, some touring teams will have to assist with travel and touring costs in the form of athlete levies. These are;
- New Zealand Pool Rescue Champs (Development Team) 2021: $1,500
- Sanyo Cup 2022; Japan - $1,750
- Life Saving World Championships (Youth) 2022; Riccione, Italy - $4,000
However, there will be no levies for open teams including New Zealand Pool Rescue, World Games and Life Saving World Championships (Open) 2022. Levy structure in 2024 campaign and beyond may differ from the above where open, capped teams may be charged athlete levies.
Nomination process
Open, Pathway, Youth, U14/U15 Talent ID Athletes Nomination Link
To be considered for any High Performance Squad as part of the Australian Life Saving Team all athletes must nominate through the below link by no later than 5pm, Friday 28th May, 2021.
Nominations at this point in time will only be for Ocean and Beach athletes due to a significant timeframe without any pool rescue competition. Pool athletes will be added to squads following Australian Pool Rescue Championships in August 2021.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ALT_2022_Athlete_Nominations
Further Information
Caitlin Turner
Senior Project Officer – Lifesaving Sport and Development, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia
Email: cturner@rlssa.org.au, Mobile: 0421 143 217, Phone: (02) 8217 3154
Brad Dean
Sport & Participation Pathways, Surf Life Saving Australia
Email: sport@slsa.asn.au
