The closing date for submissions is 07/08/2026. Any submissions received after 07/08/2026 will not be included in this year’s awards.

Please ensure that you complete all required sections of the application form:
All of Section B, one section of Section C

Section A

The Context

Please complete Sections A.9.1 to C.9.9 after you have read the following notes.

1. What is a Life Governor?
A Life Governor is a person from within or outside WSI, who has been supportive of the Organisation over several years.

2. What role do they play in Water Safety Ireland?
Life Governors have full voting rights in the WSAC that they are resident in and may take up the appointment as an officer of such WSAC if they are proposed and seconded in accordance with the WSAC Rules and Regulations. They will not be required to complete a membership form. The Council may at any time revoke Life Governor Membership in accordance with the revocation of membership that applies to members as outlined in the WSAC Rules and Regulations.

3. What qualifies a person to become a Life Governor?
3.1. A person or organisation being nominated as a Life Governor of WSI will have:
3.1.1. demonstrated substantial commitment and involvement in water safety.
3.1.2. made a significant contribution to the prevention of drowning and or water-related accidents.
3.1.3. promoted and/or worked in the development of water related activities that encourage activities that promote aquatics and safety in water through sport at a high standard over a prolonged period.
3.1.4. supported, promoted, and advocated the aims and objectives of Water Safety Ireland, safety in water and has made a significant contribution to the ethos and aims that WSI promote in this field.

4. How a person can be nominated as a Life Governor?
4.1. Nominations for the Award may be made by:
4.1.1. At least three Council members jointly.
4.1.2. The Chairperson of WSI.
4.1.3. An WSI Commission.
4.1.4. The CEO of WSI.
4.1.5. Any WSAC with the support of two other WSAC’s.
4.1.6. Any twenty-five members of WSI acting jointly, each of not less than five calendar years of continuous membership.
4.1.7. The Patron of Water Safety Ireland.
4.2. Nominations shall be made in writing in by completing this form and submitting it to the Audit Commission of Water Safety Ireland.

5. Decision Making Criteria
5.1. Nominations will be forwarded to the Audit Commission who will confirm that the criteria outlined in this document has been followed. Once criteria has been confirmed by the Audit Commission, they will forward the nomination to Council.
5.2. Those deemed to have met the criteria and who are deemed suitable for consideration and shall be proposed to the Council with an accompanying report outlining the case for acceptance, for consideration and ratification.
5.3. Contact will be made with the individual or organisation in question to ascertain if they are willing to accept the award.
5.4. The Award shall be made by resolution of the WSI Council.
5.4.1. Regard may be had in the consideration of a nomination for an award to the following factors:
i. The record of the nominee in the prevention of drowning.
ii. The record of the nominee in marine and/or aquatic activities.
iii. The record of the nominee in marine and/or aquatic safety.
iv. The record of the nominee in Water Safety Ireland.
v. The supports given to Water Safety Ireland as an organisation, or it’s ethos and objectives.
vi. The suitability, achievements and standing of the nominee.
vii. The potential benefits to WSI of making the award, including local, national and international goodwill.
viii. The strategic interests of WSI and the work it is engaged in.
ix. Contributions made at an international level on bodies or through activities that are aligned with those that are compatible with the work of WSI.
5.5. Who makes the final decision?
The final decision shall be made by Council subject to the procedures outlined in this document.

6. Limits to the number of Life Governors
6.1. The awarding of Life Governor is a senior award of WSI and should be limited, thus enhancing its importance and relevance.
6.2. There shall be no limit to the number of Life Governors awarded in any given year.
6.3. The names of Life Governors are displayed on the roll kept for the purpose at the Head Quarters of Water Safety Ireland. These details are also recorded on the web page and in the Annual Report of the organisation.

7. The Award
Persons who awarded a Life Governorship will receive a certificate and a gold service medal of honour on a red ribbon.

8. Withdrawal of the Award
The Council of Water Safety Ireland may revoke an award for stated reasons, which may include consideration of the repute and prestige of the Award and of Water Safety Ireland.