LSA HIGH PERFORMANCE STRATEGY 2017 – 2025
Preamble:
2016 proved to be a relatively successful year for LSA surf, rescue and pool teams
competing internationally. Whilst our performances were reasonably competitive
across both disciplines more needs to be done to ensure that our athletes and teams
become world class. In order to do this a multi-pronged approach is required which
brings on board the coaches, athletes, selectors, management teams and the LSA
Management Board and sports committees. Whilst we continue to operate with a
lack of resources to fully support our athletes within the provincial and national high
performance (HP) structures, the development of a common vision which everybody
has bought into is key for a strong foundation of this structure.
Team selection was the biggest influence on Rescue 2016 results. Selectors require
a clear mandate from LSA (which should align to this vision as well as the selection
policy and criteria) that clearly states the results the governing body is looking for at
each international event (individual medals, Rescue results, highest possible overall
results etc.)
This vision is a long term one (8 years) which is then broken down into medium term
4 year, a short term 2-year Rescue World Championships cycle and an immediate
yearly cycle of international competition. Within this vision performance goals and
outcomes need to be developed, assessed and monitored. This becomes part of the
HP management system which includes the HP manager, national coaches and
team management. However, it is vital that the identified HP athlete’s own club and
or personal lifesaving coaches form part of the HP athlete management system to
ensure that the training goals and objectives can be attained and aligned with
performance goals and objectives at a provincial, national and international level.
This alignment has been lacking and shows in our performances internationally. This
vision encompasses the results at Rescue World Championships where the primary
aim is the improvement in team and individual world rankings.
LSA high performance vision with performance outcomes:
Performance outcomes for each cycle require input from: national coaches, director
of sport director, surf and pool convenors of selection. (This will entail alignment to
the 2017 selection policy and criteria).
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Long term (8 year cycle - 2025)
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To develop athletes who can successfully compete on the international stage and
deliver performances which place Lifesaving South Africa within the top 4 ranked
teams in the world across both disciplines. This will be primarily determined by
overall position at Rescue 2024.
Medium term (2 x4 year cycle)
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First cycle is from 2017 –2021, second cycle from 2022 - 2025
To develop athletes who can successfully contribute to LSA being ranked in the
top 8 teams across both disciplines.
To continue to develop and assist athletes who can consistently deliver
performances ranked in the top 8 and above in the world.
Short term
This cycle is divided into four two year cycles culminating in the Rescue World
Championships. There is continued development and support of athletes and
coaches to produce quantifiable performances that show consistent improvement.
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Cycle 1 (2017-2018).
o Performance objectives for the senior team across both disciplines.
These to be set by the National coaches and HP manager.
o Performance objectives for the junior team – same applies as for the
senior team.
Cycle 2 (2019 – 2020).
o Performance objectives for senior team – (finish 9th place in the pool,
3rd in the surf, 3rd overall at Rescue 2020).
o Performance objectives for the junior team – to be decided upon by
National coaches and HP manager.
Cycle 3 (2021 -2022)
o Performance objectives for senior team - (finish 6th in the pool, 2nd in
the surf and 2nd overall at Rescue 2020).
o Performance objectives for junior team – to be decided upon by the
National coaches and HP manager.
Cycle 4 (2023 – 2024)
o Performance objectives for senior team - (finish 4th place in the pool,
win the surf competition, 2nd overall at Rescue 2022)
o Performance objectives for the junior team – to be determined by
National coaches and HP manager.
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Immediate (refer to calendar of events for 2017)
Cycle 1 of short term plan.
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Team management need to be announced for all teams in January. This
allows sufficient time for coaches to work closely with the HP manager
(regarding HP athlete performance management, training etc. at club and
provincial level). Team managers that are travelling to Japan, New Zealand,
Netherlands and Germany have sufficient time to plan, do preliminary
bookings, budgets etc.).
Performance objectives for each tour to be identified by the team coaches and
HP manager.
Athletes will be held accountable for performance and training outcomes
within each calendar year. Performance objectives will be negotiated and set
for each team member with a review taking place annually.
LSA International events for 2017.
Performance objectives still to be determined and finalised for certain events. Criteria
for each competition as per competition rules should be included for each
competition as it should influence selection i.e. number of team members, number of
events each individual can swim, relays etc.
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Sanyo Cup – Japan (surf)
o Performance objectives (Protea team) 3rd overall, 3 team golds, 6
individual golds.
o Identify medal winning performances from athletes selected.
o Number of team members TBC.
Commonwealth – Durban (pool)
o Performance objectives (Senior Protea & uncapped President’s team)
o Senior team to place 3rd overall with medal performances (team and
individual) identified within the team.
o President’s team – to provide international competition opportunity to
any uncapped athlete (must be 15 in the year of competition).
Performance objectives to be set for each swimmer.
o Number of team members TBC.
Orange Cup - Eindhoven, Netherlands (Presidents teams)
o Performance objectives (Senior & Junior team - TBC).
o Provide international exposure for athletes.
o Identify potential medal winning performances.
o Number of team members TBC.
German Cup (Protea team)
o Performance objectives (Senior team + U/18 if they meet criteria)
o Identify potential medal winning performances.
o Number of team members TBC.
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International Surf Rescue Challenge (Protea teams)
o Performance objectives - Senior 3rd overall & Junior team TBC.
Implementation planning
In order to lay a strong foundation for a sustainable and successful HP programme,
the alignment between the selection policy, performance outcomes and the HP
vision needs to be transparent, inclusive and made available timeously. Both
disciples require consultation and agreement to structures and selection policy
adjustments for 2017. This planning is inclusive of both disciplines where pool
selection can be based on a quantifiable system (using performance times and
German Cup scoring points), whilst surf selection will be based on performances at
identified competitions throughout the calendar year. Thus a tiered approach will be
implemented for selection of international teams which is dependent on identified
performance outcomes within a calendar year.
The awarding of President or Protea colours will be determined by the levelling of
identified international competitions. This is based on the level at which the
competition is pitched (i.e. top international completion vs. “B” team or club
international competition). The levelling of competition (President team vs Protea
team) does not exclude team members who have already received national colours
from participating in an event identified at the level of a Presidents team.
At a provincial level there will be Academy and HP squads whose criterion for
selection is left to the discretion of the provincial HP manager/coach. Guidance to be
provided by LSA HP management.
PROVINCIAL LEVEL
Academy & HP squads
Academy Squad
Include 14 & 15 year olds who show HP potential and meet the provincial qualifying
criteria.
Development of athletes into the HP system
High Performance Squads
POOL
SURF
 Selection to be based on qualifying  Selection
based
on
Carnival,
times for each event.
Provincial and National results.
 Qualifying times and selection criteria  Selection criteria at the discretion of
to be at the discretion of the province.
the province.
 Aim is the development of athletes  Aim is the development of athletes
into the LSA HP structure
into the LSA HP structure
At a National level there will be no Academy squad as the focus will be on High
performance development as well as the introduction of an elite OPEX (“Operation
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Excellence”) squad for senior and junior athletes. It is anticipated that a funding
model be developed for a tiered athlete support system based on individual
performances. Athletes may be eligible for selection into the HP and or OPEX
squads during the calendar year if they have met all relevant selection criteria.
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NATIONAL LEVEL
HP & OPEX squads
High Performance Squad
Must be part of a provincial HP squad and endorsed by the province.
15 yrs of age (in the year of LSA Nationals)
Juniors will be classified as those athletes 18 years or younger in the year of LSA
Nationals.
Seniors – those athletes 19 years + in the year of LSA Nationals.
Performances and “membership” within the squad will be reviewed annually
(during December).
Aim is the development of athletes into the OPEX squad.
POOL
Qualifying times to be introduced 
across all events based on the
German Cup scoring & ranking 
system. (Differentiated senior and
junior scores and ranking will be 
used).
Need to be ranked in the top 8 at LSA
Nationals using cumulative scores
across 4 events OR attain the predetermined minimum qualifying points
(based on German Cup rankings TBC).
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SURF
Individual Top 8 at Rescue 2016
(International) age group.
Individual top 16 at Rescue 2016
(Interclub) age group.
Individual Gold Medal at SA nationals
in 2 events (in age group).
OPEX SQUAD
Must have met the eligibility criteria for the LAS HP squad.
Junior and Senior athletes to be selected based on performances within the
calendar year.
Focus on international rankings and medal winning performances.
Developing a winning culture and athlete “hero’s” within LSA
German Cup (Pool) and Rescue teams to be selected from this squad.
POOL
Junior and Senior qualifying times
to be based on top 16 world
ranking performances from
Rescue 2016 (with associated
German Cup points).
Need to qualify with this criteria
over 2 events.
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SURF
Open Individual Medal at Rescue
2016 (International)
Open Individual Top 8 at Rescue
2016 (Interclub)
Open Individual Gold at SA
nationals in 2 events
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Impact on pool athlete selection
This tiered approach for athlete selection allows for progressive development of
athletes. Incentives need to be found for athletes eligible for Opex selection –
which will be fund dependent. It may also impact on the number of team
members who qualify for international teams. Depending on performance
objectives and selection criteria for identified international competitions, it may
not be necessary to send a full team of athletes. However viability for this type of
selection process should also be considered.
Impact of surf athlete selection
As with pool selection both development of prospective athletes and incentives
for OPEX athletes is key. Surf is not as quantifiable as pool, so, solid
performances need to be recognised in context within the calendar year of the
identified international and national competitions.
Proposed 2017 selection criteria for national teams (to have alignment to the
LSA selection policy document)
1. Sanyo Cup – Japan (Surf)
 Need to meet HP & or OPEX squad selection criteria.
 Full strength Protea team regardless of age.
 To be used as a stepping stone for athletes selected to go to New Zealand
for ISRC. (This will be fund dependent).
 Team performance objectives have been identified (refer to pg.3).
Individual performance objectives to be set once team has been finalised.
2. Commonwealth – Durban (Pool)
 Need to meet HP or OPEX squad selection criteria.
 2 teams – Senior & Presidents team.
 Selection of Senior team will be prioritised from Opex squad and then from
HP squad.
 Senior team performance objective has been set (refer to pg.3). Individual
performance objectives to be set once team has been finalised.
 President’s team – any HP squad member who is an uncapped athlete will
be eligible for selection.
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3. Orange Cup – Eindhoven, Netherlands (Pool)
 Need to meet the criteria of Opex or HP squad selection.
 Development competition to provide international competition
 Presidents teams (Senior & Junior teams - TBC).
 Selection from OPEX squad (if athlete is available to go to both Orange &
German Cup) otherwise ONLY from HP squad.
 Individual performance objectives to be set once team is announced.
4. German Cup – Warendorf , Germany (Pool)
 Need to meet selection criteria for Opex squad, including U/18 athletes
 Individual placing in top 10 across 3 events.
 Individual performance objectives to be set once team is announced.
5. International Surf Rescue Challenge – New Zealand (Surf)
 Need to meet selection criteria for OPEX or HP squad selection
 Protea team (Senior & junior teams).
 Team performance objectives set (refer to pg.3).
 Individual performance objectives to be set once team is announced.
Coach & management team planning
In order to assist with the national HP performance objectives, the national
coaches, provincial structures as well as the athlete’s coach/es need to plan and
periodise training and strength and conditioning programmes. Greater synergy
between training partners as well as athlete medical, psychological and testing
support is required, which is funding dependant. Coach education becomes an
important aspect of athlete development and will become more of a focus for LSA
during 2017. A sustainable funding model for national team management also
needs to be prioritised. Team members should cover the costs (either total or
partial) of management.
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