Alan McCormack and Warren Staite from RLSS UK discussed the topic of DEVELOPING A LOCAL CLUB on Saturday 24 June at the RLSS UK Conference 2023. 

Click here to download the slides from the presentation.

Alan McCormack

Hi, my name is Alan Mc Cormack, and I am the newly appointed Development Executive in Ireland for the Royal Life Saving Society UK. I am really excited to join the RLSS UK family and be a part of their mission to drive a rise in Lifesaving and Lifeguarding training through our clubs, sport, and training proposition in Ireland. Focusing on Building a community, so more people can benefit from the pleasure of swimming and water-related activities in, on, and around water safely. Because every life is worth saving.

I am here to support, develop and advise RLSS clubs, potential clubs, and facilities with:

• Growing the number of RLSS clubs, as well as increasing support for and engagement with existing clubs.
• Creating opportunities to compete in a lifesaving sport through our clubs.
• Engage and support our facilities partners to increase our ability to deliver more Lifesaving and Lifeguarding training.

I have been involved in Aquatics in some shape or form all my life, participating from a young age with my father. I have been a swimming teacher and lifesaving instructor delivering all levels from water safety classes to Lifeguard courses. I am a swimming tutor, teacher/coach, and also an RLSS Trainer Assessor. Learning to swim, Lifesaving, and Lifeguarding are serious subjects, but I love delivering these courses and classes in a fun and safe way so that the candidates enjoy learning and look forward to coming back for more.

I am looking forward to meeting with everyone involved or who would like to get involved in the RLSS UK community and engage with you, so that we can work together to achieve our goal to keep everyone safe in, on, and around water.

Warren Staite

My name is Warren Staite and I am the newly appointed Club Development Executive for the Royal Life Saving Society UK.

I am here to support, develop and advise Royal Life Saving Clubs to achieve the following:

• Growing participation in our well-known lifesaving clubs to all ages, abilities, and diversities.
• Engage and support the local communities, affiliated clubs, and other aquatic partnerships.
• Creating opportunities to compete in a lifesaving sport.

Like anyone in the industry, I started out being a Lifeguard. From there, I pursued being a Swimming teacher and coach whilst obtaining a degree in Bsc Water Sports Science and Development. From there, I built my aquatics journey being a Team Leader/Supervisor, Swim Manager, Tutor (Both RLSS and Swim England), and then in Regional Development roles.

Aquatics has been my pride and passion throughout my 16-year career. I have worked with many public and private sectors to develop and manage over 20 swim schools across the UK and even Dubai. My one and only goal is to grow the nation to swim in a fun and safe environment.

It is a huge honour to join the RLSS UK family and be part of an important mission to enhance communities, so everyone can enjoy being in, on, or near water safely – because every life is worth saving. I truly believe our clubs play a key part to introduce, develop and even master these lifesaving skills to all of our members and volunteers.

I also believe that our Clubs play a vital role in creating a new generation of working lifeguards, instructors, managers, and any other aquatic roles that will continue to grow and build our industry.

Click here for more information about other speakers at the RLSS UK Conference 2023