Although again impacted by the limitations and restrictions associated with COVID-19, I am pleased to report that the 2021/22 Nipper Seasons was a resounding success. Feedback from Nippers and their families was extremely positive. We thank our Nippers for their boundless energy and contagious smiles, and our terrific volunteers for their commitment and enthusiasm, without which we would have no Nippers program.

In terms of numbers, enrolments were fully subscribed within a week of registrations opening, with most age groups filling within an hour of registrations opening. After last minute withdrawals in December due to COVID-19 isolations, 283 Nippers completed the program delivered across 2 locations – Cleeland Bight Beach and Smiths Beach. Groups were capped at 20, with 2 to 3 groups per age group offered consecutively during the morning, making a total of 15 groups. Volunteer members supported Nippers in great numbers, with 109 Water Safety Crew, 42 Age Group Managers and Assistants, 16 Junior Age Managers, and 2 COVIDSafe Officers. Parent helpers from the almost 200 individual families involved assisted with equipment set-up and pack-up, beach organisation and admin, QR scanning and hand sanitising stations, first aid, equipment cleaning, merchandising, and fundraising (raffle), to name just a few.

A significant Nippers initiative of the last few seasons has been the Smiths Beach Nippers program, Involving our Nippers in the Dark and Light Green groups (U/12 and U/13). This season again cemented the benefit of this initiative in promoting the surf skills of our most senior Nippers, with the aim of this program being to extend lifesaving skills in surf conditions to prepare them for the Under 14 program – the Surf Rescue Certificate. This year, I was privileged to watch and assist Michelle Murphy on a few occasions at Smiths Beach. The conditions at Smiths were challenging, with many Nippers confronted with rips and large waves from day 1. Nippers were courageous and brave, and faced their fears head on, building confidence and resilience and as they developed skills of diving under waves and riding boards through the surf. A special 'shout out' to all those involved at Smiths, especially those involved in Age Managing and Water Safety. Keeping our Nippers safe is our priority, and you all worked in tough and cold conditions this year, so well done and thanks!

This season saw the trial of a new initiative - the Junior Age Manager program (JAMs). The JAM has an important role within the Nippers program, which is to care for and nurture our future Australian surf lifesavers. Under the guidance of an Age Manager, JAMs facilitated the development of surf life saving skills (movement skills, surf awareness) and personal development skills (e.g., confidence, teamwork, leadership). Sixteen of our active youth club members aged 14-17 years volunteered to participate in this program, which required them to hold a current Surf Rescue Certificate or Bronze Medallion, complete the Life Saving Victoria's Safeguarding Children and Age Manager programs, and attend an on-the-beach JAMs workshop prior to the start of Nippers. It was a privilege to watch these amazing young volunteers grow and thrive over the course of the Nippers program. It was also wonderful to observe how our young Nippers looked up to these positive role models and thrived with their one-on-one guidance. Thank you to Georgie Wettenhall, Michelle Murphy, and Kathryn O’Keefe who co-facilitated the JAMs workshop, and our Age Managers who supported the JAMs development each day. Special mention to our inaugural JAMs: Bella Giddins, Sophia Hungerford, Ella jones, Alannah Rudan, Jasmine (Jazz) leally, Oscar Goodger McGrath, Matilda (Tilly) Van Neuren, Bailey Lawton, Sienna Steiner, Sienna Woodmason, Penny Bernardi, Scarlett Blyth, Hailey Cameron, Lachlan Cameron, Ryan Guilmartin and Fletcher Brougham. We are pleased to have been able to launch JAMs this season, through the support of a Victorian Government Change our Game Activation grant.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been tough on many local businesses who have been great supporters of the Nippers program for over a decade. We repeated our 2020/21 initiative to ‘support the businesses who have supported us’. With endorsement from the Board, rather than asking for prizes to be donated, we purchased vouchers from these businesses. Raffle prizes were drawn remotely each day, with streaming of the draws posted on our Facebook page and winners contacted by SMS. Over 60 prizes were given away in our raffle, either purchased or donated by 21 businesses and individuals. All of this was made possible by the fabulous efforts of Donna Brunt, Jason Close, and their families.

After two children through the program and countless years of service, this season we said a sad farewell to Michelle Murphy as a Nippers stalwart. A huge contributor, Michelle has fulfilled numerous roles over the years and inspired all who have had the pleasure of working with her. To Michelle we are greatly indebted and say a huge 'thank you' on behalf of all Nippers families to the Murphy clan for sharing Michelle with us for so long. As Nippers age out of the program in the future, they may be fortunate to again cross paths with Michelle on patrol. We thank Michelle for her wonderful contributions to Nippers.

A picture tells a thousand words, and it's well in excess of a thousand 'Nippers in Action' shots that were captured and made freely available to all families by our very talented and generous photographers Ivan Webb and Athol Hill - we thank you both for your wonderful efforts. Those with a keen eye would have spotted many a Nippers backpack being carried around town and on beaches, a part of our new Nippers pack for the season. It's great to still see these be carried around to footy training and netball practice, and we thank Jason Coombs for arranging these fabulous bags.

I would also like to acknowledge the support of our major sponsors:

· Smash® who have provided us with re-usable drink bottles

· Westernport Water through their community support program

· Bendigo Bank community development funding

A final Thank You and Adieu

As my son ages out of Nippers, moving into secondary school next year, this season was my last as Junior Coordinator and Director of Junior Development. For me, this season was one of growth and continued learning. Fortunately, I was surrounded by the most amazing team of positive, talented, and committed volunteers, who demonstrated ‘can do’ attitudes and were solution focused. The last two seasons specifically were particularly challenging as we navigated the pandemic and all the uncertainties and restrictions that came along with it. My single focus throughout this period was to ensure we offered a Nippers program. Innovation was the key to confronting the challenges that we face, with many of our initiates being so well received they will remain for future years.

A special thankyou to those who have been involved on the Nippers committee who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes over the last three years to bring you our Nippers program. The hear working committee comprised of Jason Close, Bre McGrath, Jeremy Goodger, Donna Brunt, Kathryn O’Keefe, Michelle Murphy, Alex Webster, Maddie Hungerford, and Vicki Tuchtan. But it does not stop there, the willingness of parents to help with running the program and our amazing water safety crew of life savers has contributed enormously to the success of the program.

Charles Tuchtan

Director of Junior Development