Club RLSS UK Honours

The Clive Holland Trophy – awarded to a club that:

This trophy is to be awarded to an RLSS UK affiliated club which has done the most to carry out the objectives of the Society in their local area.

It might recognise club development; growth in numbers of members or awards; collaboration with other groups; innovative use of programmes; development of lifesaving sport locally; community involvement or service or a mixture of all or any of these. We are looking for a club which shows considerable impact in the promotion of the Society and its aims.

Specific examples relating to people’s activity on behalf of the Society, for which the nominated club has been directly responsible, must be given, such as details of the club’s programme of activity, impact of the programme such as the number of awards taken, newspaper articles pertaining to the group and its involvement and impact in the community; letters of thanks may be included.

Proposed Honour

RLSS UK Merit Honour -The Clive Holland Trophy

Name

Hastings & St.Leonards Voluntary Lifeguard Club

Citation (limited by number of words)

Hastings & St.Leonards Voluntary Lifeguards celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2022. They had an exceptional year – bullet pointed below. Club weekly pool training sessions had been as low as 6 members weekly – they have increased their weekly membership at pool sessions to 30. Club hosted and delivered 3 x NVBLQ courses enabling the local RNLI to facilitate the local beach lifeguard service. Club hosted and delivered 2 x OWL courses enabling Bewl Water Aqua Park to have qualified lifeguards. The club delivered monthly in-service training too. Two club members were honoured to receive the Platinum’s Champions Awards during the Queens Platinum Jubilee – one solely for their volunteering for the Club and RLSS UK Sussex Branch, the other for their volunteering for the Club and Guiding. Club provided first aid and water safety cover for local events utilising their 4.6m rescue boat – including rowing regattas, sea swims and music events on Hastings Pier of which there were 6 events which were 10 to 12 hours each. Some were challenging with even a couple threatening suicide. Safety and First aid cover a professional film shoots mainly for music videos. Safety in Action – a week long programme of young people in years 5 and 6 who are given scenarios to resolve – ours was water safety in the home and on the beach. Over 1000 young people attended during 5 days. Carnival – supported our local event to promote the Club and water safety. Meeting our local MP Sally Ann Hart and neighbouring MP Huw Merrieman – separately about our role locally and the importance of water safety. 50th Anniversary celebrations – Club held it’s own Lifesaving Competition, massive raffle and celebration day inviting local dignatories, current and past members to showcase all areas of the Clubs' work. A team of 5 club members successfully completed a cross channel relay swim. The team was inclusive – one member who is a wheelchair user. All activities promoted on the website, monthly newsletters and social media. Representation on local Coastal User Group – local group of all coastal users, businesses, groups and volunteers. 

Pictures – Dean Baker – Club Chair – who attended the 2023 RLSS UK Honours presentation at Coventry to receive the Clive Holland Trophy from Clive personally.

Pictures – The other two photos are Cavell Burchell, (RLSS UK President’s Ambassador for South East, Commonwealth Trustee and Deputy Chair of Drowning Commission, Europe Region) who came to present the Clive Holland Trophy to the club members