For Noosa’s Sharlene Kelly, the year 2022 could not have been any better.
At year’s end, her position in the Surf Life Saving Association of Australia was at a level she thought was beyond her dreams.
It was in 1994 that Sharlene obtained her bronze medallion on Noosa’s Main Beach. In that era, a woman’s role and chances of achievement were still somewhat restricted for it was not until the 1980s that clubs were even allowed to admit women as active members.
Even then some kept the doors shut on women until 1985-86.
‘’When I joined, women were still struggling to have a strong voice in SLSC. It wasn’t until some years later, that a women’s mentor program came into being.
This was a great concept. To create a support group which would give us a strong voice in gaining knowledge in all aspects of surf lifesaving,“ she said.
Surf Life Saving created the first women’s mentor program in 2020, designed to strengthen and support females in positions of leadership in Surf Life Saving. The program pairs 21 mentors with 21 mentees who support each other across the next 12 months.
Facilitating empowerment, support and leadership skills were part of the program, which participants could then use, and apply to their paid roles inside and outside of surf lifesaving, volunteer activities and everyday life.
This was the second time that the program was drawn up.
“For us [the women] it was a massive step forward. I always thought that my achievements were limited to my surf club life.
“In the last two years I have discovered so much more that I could have achieved at Surf Life Saving national level”
After obtaining her bronze Sharlene was instantly attracted to the world of competition.
“My first involvement was in boats.
“However, after a few training sessions I decided it was not my bag so I switched to single racing ski.
“As a result, I represented Noosa in the ski events at the 1997 Australian titles.”
It was during the winter of ’97 that Sharlene, along with club mate Alison Olander, starting travelling to Mooloolaba surf club where she became very interested in the kayaks.
It was in 1998 that she switched to the Mooloolaba club.
Also, at this time that she met a young clubbie named Chris Kelly was not only to become her lifelong coach, but also her husband. Away from lifesaving, Chris worked as a plumber.
Then as a married couple in 2005, they became the proud parents of a son, Indra, and again in 2009 when their second son, Xander, was born.
However, her love for ski racing saw her win the bronze medal for the Noosa club at the Australiansin 1988 at Kurrawa Beach, on the Gold Coast.
It was what she described as, “One of the biggest surfs that I ever competed in. The break was full of upturned skis, they were all over the place: it was real – hairy.”
But then in the late ’98 season, she switched to the Mooloolaba club.
While in Mooloolaba she continued to be successful, winning two gold and two bronze medals at both state and national titles.
Then in 2003-2006 she competed for Kawana, adding another five medals to her tally with two gold, two silver and one bronze.
The highlight was winning the 2006 gold medal Interclub World Championship at Lorne Victoria.
“It was just an incredible feeling, the world championship.”
However, the year 1999 for Sharlene had to be the big year.
Not only was she made an athlete of the Queensland Academy of Sport, but also had her introduction to the sport of sprint kayaking. This again, saw Sharlene continue to achieve.
Not only did she win at both state and national level, but she was also chosen to represent her country in the K2 and k4 division and tour Europe for the World Cup.
“However, on looking back over everything, I came to realise that it was a QAS scholarship that I had been awarded back in 1998, that really became the stepping stone to my successes.”
In the meantime her husband Chris had also made an outstanding contribution to surf life saving.
He drew up a surf education program for juniors. This enabled them to receive a properly structed training program. So successful and well received was this, that it was adopted Australia wide.
On returning to the Noosa club, she continued to coach.
One young lady in particular really caught her eye. Her name was Lana Rogers and she was “incredibly motivated.”
Ably assisted by two fellow coaches, Clint Irwin (skis) and Brian Sehr (swim), Sharlene’s positive and aggressive attitude to coaching took Lana to great heights, among them the Open Iron Women Championship of Australia and the legendary Coolangatta Gold.
‘’Sharlene’s approach to the vital aspects of being mentally prepared taught me so much and for that I am grateful,” said Lana.
Then in September 2022 Sharlene was appointed QAS sprint kayak coach.
This appointment made her the first
full- time paid coach on the Sunshine Coast.
When she received this appointment, she was over the moon.
“Part of the QAS role is to coordinate the YOU FOR 2032 Talent Identification Program, in preparation for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.”
As a future goal, her ambition is to become the national women’s sprint kayak coach.
“Within Surf Life Saving this works as a part of SLSA women’s mentor program, a network to support and connect all over Australia.”
The success of Sharlene Kelly as a competitor and coach, and her husband Chris as a coach and educator, is something in which we can all take pride. Well done to both.
I think that it goes without saying that the women’s mentor program would have to be one of the best incentives that has come out of Surf Life Saving Australia’s think tanks, in the last 50 years. To let women into the life saving movement without having them catered for would have to be the no brainer of all time.
From all of us in the Noosa community to the women’s mentor program team, to which Sharlene Kelly has made an outstanding contribution, keep up the good work.
