Nipper numbers are booming at Ocean Grove Surf Life Saving Club thanks to generous support from hard-working volunteer coaches after the commencement of a new season.
Numbers have continued to swell for the club’s busy Surf Sport program on Fridays and Sundays despite no clubhouse as the Ocean Grove Surf Beach complex re-development works continue.
During October on average more than 100 Nippers attend Surf Sport Program’s two sessions a week from Under 8s to Under 13s.
The club also offers Iron Training on Tuesdays and Running Training and Board Specialisation on Wednesdays.
Last season, Ocean Grove SLSC were crowned State champions at the Life Saving Victoria Junior Championships held at Warrnambool.
A new Nipper sub-committee was formed during the off-season to cater for the club’s growing junior number base.
Of the club’s total 932 members in 2017/18, there were 316 junior members aged between 5-13 years.
Ocean Grove SLSC Nipper Assistant Coaching and Training Coordinator, Peter Walsh said the club’s junior development was in strong hands with a dedicated group of coaching volunteers and parent helpers.
“We are very pleased with the coaching team that has been assembled and the passion they have for the Nipper development,” Walsh told the Voice.
“Our parent volunteer group is supported by our head coaches and we have trainee coaches who are being mentored by these coaches.”
Ocean Grove SLSC Nippers will take part in the season’s first Life Saving Victoria junior carnival at Altona Life Saving Club on Sunday 25 November.
The Voice caught up with some of its head coaching group and age group coaches for the 2018/19 season.
Profiles supplied by the club and coordinated by Nipper sub-committee member Peter Walsh.
Junior Activity Manager, Darren Ball: Has kids in both the junior and senior program with a passion for junior development. Was a big part of the club’s junior development success last season.
Coaching Coordinator, Konrad Slavinskis: Has two kids in the Nipper program with a background in Sports Medicine and Sports Science and a general love for junior development.
U/13, Joffa Young: Long involvement in the Nipper program with kids in the Nippers and senior program.
U/12, Shane Bird: Now has three children in the Surf Lifesaving program and has covered many roles in the surf sport program with a passion for water sports.
U/11, Amenah McDonald: Mother of kids in the Nipper program, patrolling member and competitor in the surf program. Passionate and active with club’s social activities and Ocean Grove SLSC social media contributor.
U/10, Brendon Confoy: Avid surfer and ex Ocean Grove footballer with two kids in the Nipper program. In his second year of coaching Under 10s.
U/10, Scott Crabtree: Has a passion for all sports, two kids in the Nipper program and held previous committee roles at the Carrum Surf Life Saving Club.
U/9, Nick Watson: Two kids in Nipper program, background in physical education and school leadership. Active participant in lifesaving from time as a Nipper.
U/8, Adam Foord: An avid lover of water sports has a child in the U/13 age group but just engages the kids with his infectious enthusiasm and support.
R&R/Belt & Reel, Lyndie Freestone: Coaches both Belt and Reel and Rescue and Resuscitation to kids from U/10 and above. Her own daughter went through Nippers. She is the current Ocean Grove SLSC club secretary.
Beach events
Peter Walsh: Two kids in the Nipper program and previous experiences coaching the sprints on the athletics track and has been able to transfer that to the sand.
