Duke of Edinburgh International Award at SPASC

SPASC has been recognised as a Duke of Edinburgh International Award Centre to allow our participating youth sailors to build credit towards their award while they sail and volunteer at SPASC.

The Duke of Ed program aims to acknowledge the role of non-formal education to build learning and leadership in the scheme participants. With three levels of award participation our youth sailors can achieve recognition for their sailing skills development, leadership, adventure and volunteerism at the club level.

To be eligible to participate in the scheme you need to be aged between 14 and 24 years of age.

There are three levels of participation Bronze, Silver and Gold, with age and activity requirements in each level

Read further details of Duke of Ed at SPASC below;

Find out more about the Duke of Edinburgh International Award

SPASC Becomes an Official Duke of Edinburgh Award Centre

A fantastic new opportunity for our junior and youth sailors

Speers Point Amateur Sailing Club is excited to announce that we are now an officially accredited Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Centre. This is a significant milestone for our club, and it opens an exciting new pathway for young people aged 14–24 to grow, learn and challenge themselves through sailing and club involvement.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (often called “Duke of Ed”) is a globally recognised youth development program that encourages young people to build confidence, resilience, leadership, responsibility and independence. We are thrilled to be able to deliver this program directly through SPASC.

What this means for our young members

Participants can now complete the key elements of the Award through activities already available at the club:

Physical Recreation:

Sailing, training sessions, fitness on the water and race days all count.

Skill Development:

Rigging, knots, navigation, boat handling, racing rules, weather knowledge and seamanship are all recognised Duke of Ed skills.

Voluntary Service:

Assisting junior sailors, helping with race management, supporting club events, and contributing to the SPASC community.

Adventurous Journey (AJ):

Age-appropriate supervised journeys on Lake Macquarie will be offered based on experience and readiness.

This means our young sailors can progress through their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award within the safe, supportive and friendly community they already know.

Why join the Duke of Ed at SPASC?

Encourages independence and personal growth

Helps young people set goals and achieve them

Builds real-life skills and leadership qualities

Enhances school portfolios, job applications and resumes

Strengthens community values and confidence

Creates lifelong friendships and positive memories

Families often describe the Duke of Ed as “life-changing” — the kind of program that helps young people discover what they’re capable of.

How to get involved

Young people who wish to complete their Award through SPASC will:

Select Speers Point Amateur Sailing Club as their Award Centre

Pay the Duke of Ed NSW registration fee

Contact Our Award Leaders

Our accredited Award Leader team is ready to support new participants:

Mandy Maddock – 0468 326 720

Ellena Park – 0433 680 907

Hal Dobbins – 0438 141 032

Sonia Estens – 0448 483 912

Email: doe.spascsailing@gmail.com

We encourage all junior and youth members to consider joining this fantastic program.

It’s a wonderful chance for young people to grow through challenge, adventure and service — all while being part of the SPASC family.