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SWIMMING AND LIFESAVING
Duke 4 Sport
Are you Ready to build your skills?
Duke 4 Sport
Program Background
The Duke 4 Sport initiative is Royal Life Saving’s pathway for young people to complete the internationally recognised Duke of Edinburgh’s Award through lifesaving activities. It provides opportunities for participants aged 14–24 to engage in swimming, lifesaving sport, skill development, and volunteering that count towards the Physical Recreation, Skills, and Voluntary Service sections of their Award. By linking aquatic and lifesaving programs with the Duke of Ed framework, it gives participants the chance to build lifelong skills while making a meaningful contribution to their community.
This program highlights lifesaving not only as a physical pursuit but also as a discipline that develops resilience, leadership, and teamwork. Whether through Pool Lifesaving Sport, Junior Lifesavers, first aid and rescue training, or community volunteering, young people are supported to achieve their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award levels. The result is a pathway that celebrates individual achievement while promoting safety, service, and the spirit of giving back.
Duke 4 Sport
Benefits of Duke 4 Sport
Participants enjoy multiple benefits including:
Enables young people to complete Duke of Ed Award sections through lifesaving activities.
Builds swimming, rescue, first aid, and leadership skills.
Encourages teamwork, resilience, and service to the community.
Provides flexible options in both physical and skill-based activities.
Strengthens links between youth, lifesaving clubs, and aquatic organisations.
Promotes long-term engagement in volunteering and aquatic safety.
FLEXIBLE DELIVERY
A program that works in different places.
Our programs can support structured programs at aquatic facilities, swim schools, schools and community settings.
Bronze 14yrs
The Bronze Award introduces young people to new experiences, personal goals and community involvement. Through Royal Life Saving activities, participants can build aquatic skills, improve their physical wellbeing, volunteer their time and complete an adventurous journey while working towards their first Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award level.
Participants can:
Develop swimming and water-safety skills
Work towards a lifesaving award
Improve fitness through aquatic activities
Volunteer at programs, clubs or events
Build teamwork and communication skills
Set goals and record their progress
Complete an adventurous journey
Gain confidence through new challenges
Explore aquatic-industry pathways
The Bronze Award is generally available from 14 years of age. Activities must be approved by the participant’s Duke of Ed Leader before commencing and completed over the required period.
Silver 15yrs
The Silver Award enables young people to build on their experience through longer-term activities and more challenging personal goals. Royal Life Saving pathways can support participants to extend their swimming and lifesaving ability, take greater responsibility and contribute more actively to their club, facility or community.
Participants can:
Extend survival and rescue skills
Work towards advanced lifesaving awards
Improve aquatic fitness and endurance
Volunteer in programs, clubs or events
Support younger or less-experienced participants
Develop leadership and decision-making skills
Complete a more challenging adventurous journey
Build consistency and personal responsibility
Explore teaching, coaching or officiating pathways
Participants can progress from Bronze or enter Silver directly from 15 years of age. Each activity must meet the Award requirements and be approved by the participant’s Duke of Ed Leader.
Gold 16yrs
The Gold Award is the highest level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award and challenges young people to demonstrate sustained commitment, leadership and personal development. Royal Life Saving activities can help participants develop advanced skills, support their community and prepare for further education, employment or aquatic-industry leadership.
Participants can:
Develop advanced lifesaving capability
Pursue teaching, coaching or lifeguarding pathways
Maintain a long-term physical activity goal
Take on meaningful volunteer responsibilities
Mentor and support other participants
Strengthen leadership and problem-solving skills
Complete an advanced adventurous journey
Participate in a residential project
Prepare for future study or employment
Participants can progress from Silver or enter Gold directly from 16 years of age. Gold requires the greatest level of commitment, including completion of the additional residential project and all activities approved through their Duke of Ed Centre.