Spencer Park Wins Canterbury Surf Life Saving ‘Club of the Year’ 2014
Spencer Park Surf Life Saving Club (SPLSC) has won the commendable ‘Club of the Year’ award for the Canterbury region
for the first time in 26 years.
The Canterbury/Tasman Surf Life Saving Awards of Excellence were held on Friday 16 May, at the South Brighton Surf Life
Saving Club.
The awards are held annually in recognition of excellence in surf lifesaving, the Club of the Year award being the
premier award of the evening.
Mr Henry Lawson, the Canterbury Regional Club Development Officer, said “Spencer Park was extremely proactive in their
recruitment, retention and membership development over the 2013-14 season, with the highest number of new lifeguards
qualified in Christchurch”
“The day to day running of club patrols was faultless and the clubs sporting achievements over the season boosted their
overall standing.”
The award is based on a set of criteria that assess the clubs across a variety of factors such as recruitment,
retention, sporting achievement, general patrol operations, membership development, and overall club management.
SPSLC took home three medals at national sporting events this season.
SPSL Club Captain, Mr Samuel Baker, said the success was a huge boost in morale for the club:
“We are stoked to win this, our club is growing and we are all putting in heaps of effort to ensure a high level of
service to our community.
He dedicated this season to patron Russell Hayes, who passed away earlier this year.
“He would be incredibly proud of what the club has achieved.”
Over the season the junior club has doubled in size, and sixteen new voluntary lifeguards have been trained, making SPSLC the fastest growing club in the region.
The club recorded 393 preventative actions by lifeguards, zero drownings and a 100 per cent record in patrol audits
conducted during the season.
Spencer Park have also purchased new boards, surf skis, and for the first time surf boat and surf canoe equipment for
members to use at leisure and for competition.
A new building is also in the works to replace the current clubhouse which Mr Baker said are inadequate for the
expanding club.
“We are excited about our new building which will be a great multi-functional facility. A lot of infrastructure was
damaged in the surrounding area due to the earthquakes and we think our new building will provide a focal point for the
community.”
The new building will fill a hole in the community with a large function room with catering facilities for community
meetings and events which will be available to the public for hire.
Anyone interested in becoming a surf lifesaver can visit SPLSC’s webpage: www.spencerpark.co.nz
ENDS