Applications Open for ORSR Riverland Future Sports Leader Program

Published 1st June 2026

Expressions of Interest are now open for the inaugural free Office for Recreation Sport and Racing (ORSR) Riverland Future Sports Leader Program, providing 10 young people from across the Riverland with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and gain practical experience within local sport and recreation.

The program is designed to support young people aged 15–17 to develop leadership skills through volunteering, workshops and involvement within local sport and recreation clubs. The program also aligns with the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award framework and provides participants with the opportunity to attain 10 SACE credits upon successful completion of program requirements.

The program contains four key components:

Physical Recreation
Voluntary Service
Skill Development
Adventurous Journey

Participants will be required to complete:

A minimum of 13 hours of physical recreation participation (approximately one hour per week over three months)
A minimum of 13 hours of volunteering within a local sporting club
A minimum of 13 hours of skill development activities through workshops
An Adventurous Journey component, including an overnight leadership camp designed by the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing in partnership with AFL Max at West Beach, Adelaide, and a tour of the South Australian Sports Institute’s facilities at Mile End

Skill development opportunities will focus on:

Understanding how sporting clubs operate
Creating welcoming and inclusive club environments
Personal leadership and self-development
Assertive communication
Supporting the health and wellbeing of club members
Coaching and officiating courses

Two participants will be selected from each of the Riverland’s five major townships, including Berri, Barmera, Loxton, Renmark, and Waikerie, to ensure broad regional representation.

The program aims to identify and develop young leaders who are passionate about their local community and interested in contributing positively to the future of Riverland sport and recreation.

Expressions of Interest are open to young people aged 15–17 who currently attend secondary school within the Riverland region. To apply, please complete the online expression of interest form by clicking here.

Important Dates

Expressions of Interest Currently Open!
Expressions of Interest Close – Sunday 14 June 2026
Successful and unsuccessful applicants notified by Friday 26 June 2026
Proposed Program Delivery Period – July 2026 to April 2027

Important Links

For further information, please contact Travis O’Shaughnessy, Connected and Active Communities Project Officer:

0447 750 529
toshaughnessy@lwdc.sa.gov.au

Nominations close Sunday 14 June at midnight