Pool lifesaving coaches are fundamental to the development of swimming and lifesaving skills, teaching people of all ages and abilities and encouraging ongoing participation for fun, fitness and social inclusion. You can start out as a Foundation Coach for athletes at the grassroots level – if you find your passion in coaching, you then you have the opportunity to progress further, coaching more elite athletes at State, National and International Competitions.

Why Become a Coach?

Enjoy the Social Environment

Gather your friends and start your coaching journey together, or join in on your own and meet a great network of enthusiastic and sport-loving people from all across the country.

Professional Development

Coaching experience is an esteemed attribute for an individual to posses. Learning new skills and starting new connections opens doors to unique and enriching pathways for leadership development and ongoing success in not only sport but across other workplaces.

Opportunity to Travel

Maturing to an elite level coach presents travel opportunities, being able to coach pool lifesaving teams in competitions across the country and all over the world. Combine coaching with your love for travel and do it with like-minded people.

Coaching Pathways

Royal Life Saving offers three levels of coaching accreditation, providing individuals with the knowledge and skills to coach grassroots participants at local lifesaving clubs to elite athletes competing at national or international events.

To become an active coach, it is recommended that candidates have a background in swimming instruction and hold one or more of the following qualifications or awards:

• Swimming and Water Safety Teacher

• School Teacher

• Swimming Coach

• CPR, First Aid and Basic Water Rescue qualifications

• Bronze Medallion

The Foundation Coaching Course provides a basic understanding of pool lifesaving sport, including its connection to swimming and lifesaving principles, explanations of core skills and events, and ways to modify pool lifesaving to cater for all abilities and facilities.

The Development Coaching Course progresses further, teaching a coach how to effectively plan and deliver training programs, with particular focus on athlete development, nurturing talent and preparing pool lifesaving athletes for ongoing success in competitions. You must be an accredited Foundation Coach to be eligible for the Development Coaching Course.

The High Performance Coaching pathway focuses on coaching athletes for selection in National and International Representative Teams, as well as playing a key role in the assessment and mentoring of aspiring coaches.

To begin your coaching journey, please contact the NSW Royal Life Saving office.

Upcoming Coaching Courses:

Royal Life Saving NSW offers coaching masterclasses, whereby those interested can register to participate and learn the basics in coaching lifesaving and get their Foundation Coaching Accreditation. Details of upcoming courses will become available here.

High Performance Coach Profiles