The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
NSW Sport and Recreation runs The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award program in NSW. The Award is an internationally recognised youth development program providing opportunities for personal and social development for 14-25 year olds.
Duke’s Philosophy
Available to everyone
Any young person aged 14 – 25 can do The Award, no matter what their cultural background, religious or political affiliation, or ability.
About experiencing, connecting, developing
Participants will get out of The Award what they put in. There is the opportunity for them to both grow personally and connect with others, through a range of new experiences. They have the chance to discover their potential through the encouragement and some individual programming provided by adult volunteers.
Not a competition
The Award is not a competition against anyone else, but rather a personal challenge. It offers the opportunity to work with others whilst focusing on individual unique abilities.
Flexible
The Award offers a framework for young people to focus their interests, improve their abilities and do something they’ve always wanted to do. The Award can be entered at any level (age permitting), and activities can be chosen that fit in with today’s busy lives.
Balanced
The different Sections of The Award offer the chance to experience a wide range of challenges. Existing abilities can be extended and new activities can be tried.
Progressive
Participants can improve their abilities and increase their personalisation of The Award with each level they do (Bronze, Silver, Gold).
About personal achievement
Participants set their own goals and work towards them. Achievements are individual, and are not bench-marked against anyone else.
A marathon, not a sprint
The Award is about showing regular commitment and perseverance. Efforts are recognised over time and achievements are individual improvements.
Voluntary
The choice to do The Award is entirely voluntary. Commitment to each Section and level is about setting personal goals and going about achieving them. Adult volunteers are there to guide and help recognise Participant abilities and keep them motivated when they need it.
Fun
The Award is fun. The activities chosen reflect individual interests and passions, so everyone involved can enjoy the challenge.
The Award: What does it involve?
The Award is an enriching program that invites young people between the ages of 14 and 25 to participate in a number of activities over a set length of time.
Participation is entirely voluntary and is structured so Participants can design their own unique program centred on their interests and passions.
There are three levels to The Award:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
Each level of The Award has four mandatory sections:
- Fitness/Physical Recreation - Break a sweat and improve your physical fitness. This could be through a team sport, individual pursuit or simply getting out there and working up a sweat.
- Skill - Unleash your talents and broaden your abilities. A skill is anything from refereeing, to DJ-ing to learning a musical instrument, to jewellery making.
- Volunteering - Connect with your community and realise your passions. Consider any area of interest in the community, such as youth work, the environment or charity work.
- Adventurous Journey - Discover your sense of adventure and bond with your mates. Learn the skills to enable you to then journey into an unfamiliar environment with a group – bushwalking, canoeing, cycling or an urban adventure.
There is an additional section for Gold only.
- Residential Project - Broaden your horizons and open your eyes to the world. Go on an adventure in Australia or anywhere around the globe, you are only limited by your imagination.
Where do I find out more?
For more details visit The Duke of Edinburgh's Award website - www.dukeofed.com.au
To contact the The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (NSW Division):
Telephone: (02) 9006 3700
Fax: (02) 9006 3888
