Young Leaders Program

Applications open 7 September 2026

Highlands Sports Centre is launching a new six-month development program for young members who are ready to take the next step in their personal growth.

The Young Leaders Program will give selected members aged 10–16 the opportunity to develop confidence, responsibility, communication and practical leadership skills through sport.

This is not a competition program and selection will not be based on who is the strongest athlete or who has won the most medals.

We are looking for young people who demonstrate effort, respect, reliability, coachability and a genuine willingness to support others.

What is the Young Leaders Program?

The program is a structured 26-week pathway delivered alongside the participant’s regular training at Highlands Sports Centre.

Each Young Leader will receive a participant workbook containing a simple and achievable task for every week. Tasks will focus on areas such as:

• preparing and arriving ready to train;

• responding positively to feedback;

• communicating clearly;

• encouraging teammates;

• welcoming new or younger members;

• demonstrating responsibility;

• understanding how coaches organise activities;

• assisting with approved club activities under supervision;

• completing a small contribution project.

  
  

Participants will also meet regularly with an assigned mentor, reflect on their progress and receive feedback from Highlands Sports Centre coaches.

The goal is to help young people develop leadership habits they can use in sport, at school, in future work and in everyday life.

Practical leadership experience

As participants progress, they may be invited to assist Highlands Sports Centre coaches during selected younger classes, events, birthday parties or school holiday activities.

This may include helping prepare equipment, welcoming participants, supporting simple games, demonstrating a familiar movement or assisting with pack-up.

All responsibilities will be appropriate to the participant’s age, maturity and experience. They will be completed under direct supervision and with parent or guardian approval.

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Who can apply?

The first intake is open exclusively to current Highlands Sports Centre members who:

• are approximately 10–16 years old;

• have trained at Highlands Sports Centre for at least six months;

• attend training consistently;

• demonstrate respectful behaviour;

• follow club rules and safety instructions;

• respond positively to coaching;

• want to develop and support others;

• can commit to the six-month program;

• have parent or guardian approval.

  
  

Each intake will include only three to six participants so every Young Leader can receive meaningful mentoring, individual feedback and genuine responsibilities.

How participants will be selected

Applications will include questions that require the young person to think and write about leadership, responsibility and how they would respond in different situations.

Highlands Sports Centre coaches will also consider the participant’s attendance, effort, behaviour, reliability, maturity and readiness for additional responsibility.

Selection will be completed carefully.

Because places are limited, some suitable applicants may not be selected for the first intake. This does not mean they are not capable of becoming a Young Leader.

A child who is not selected for the first group may be placed on the reserve list, given areas to continue developing or considered for the next intake.

We want the selection process to encourage growth rather than make children feel that one decision defines their potential.

What participants will receive

Selected participants will receive:

• a 26-week Young Leaders Participant Pack;

• an assigned Highlands Sports Centre mentor;

• weekly leadership tasks;

• regular coach feedback;

• six structured mentor meetings;

• supervised practical experience;

• a mid-program and final review;

• an opportunity to complete a leadership contribution project;

• formal recognition upon successful completion.

  
  

Future pathways may include continued involvement as an experienced Young Leader, event support, holiday-program assistance or a junior coaching pathway when age-appropriate.

A serious opportunity for young people

The Young Leaders Program has been designed as a meaningful commitment.

Participants will be expected to maintain their regular training, complete weekly tasks, attend mentor meetings, follow clear standards and take responsibility for their role.

They are not expected to be perfect. They are expected to be honest, respectful, prepared and willing to improve.

Leadership begins with how a young person behaves when no one is praising them, how they respond when something is difficult and how they treat the people around them.

That is what this program will help them practise.

Applications

Applications for the first Highlands Sports Centre Young Leaders Program intake open on 7 September 2026.

Places will be limited to three to six participants.

Application information and forms will be available through Highlands Sports Centre. Parents and members may also speak with our staff to learn more about the program and selection process.

Applications open: 7 September 2026

Eligibility: Current Highlands Sports Centre members aged approximately 10–16

Minimum membership period: Six months

Program duration: 26 weeks