AVALON BEACH SLSC

Nipper Competition

What about competition?

Nippers encourages healthy and friendly competition to develop the safety and lifesaving skills we teach during the season.
Inter-club:
  • Formal surf-life saving carnivals are held for the U8s and older.  All proficient Nippers are encouraged to attend and compete.   These are held on various northern beaches throughout the season, culminating in the State carnival, this year again being held in Ocean Beach near Umina on 6-8 March. Please look at our Calendar of Events for more details.
  • A full variety of surf and beach events are held at each carnival, allowing all kids to partake. Announcements are made nearer to each carnival to communicate locations and times.  Where possible, a team bus is arranged to help kids (and parents) get there on time.
  • For those children not attending the carnival Nippers continues as normal on the beach.  Age groups may be combined if Age Managers are unavailable because they are attending the carnival.
  • This year we will once again be taking part in the Peninsula Challenge at Newport Beach on Sunday 3rd November. This event is for Nippers from all our age groups and we will be joined by Nippers from Mona Vale, Newport and Bilgola.
Intra-club:
Nippers holds its own club championships in February.  This provides friendly competition between our nippers, with awards made at the end of the day. Also running every week are open events for children and parents.
  • From time to time The Ava-Go is held at 10.30am on Sundays.  Meet at the clubhouse for a run-swim-run along the beach.
  • The Sunday Swim is a handicapped surf race held at 11am each Sunday. There are usually two distances depending on ability (or confidence).  Meet at the patrol tent.
Other events during the season include surf competitions and adventure paddles.  More news on these nearer the dates.
Code of Conduct
Parents have an important role in the delivery and support of sporting activities for their own and other children. With it comes a clear responsibility to act in a constructive and encouraging manner at all times. As part of this responsibility the following Codes of Behaviour have been adopted by the Avalon Beach SLSC Junior Activities Group (Nippers):  
Parents, Caregivers, Spectators Code of Behaviour
  • Remember that children participate in sport for their enjoyment and development.
  • Encourage children to participate, do not force them.
  • Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than winning or losing. Set realistic goals.
  • Encourage children to always play according to the rules and to settle disagreements without resorting to hostility or violence.
  • Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake or losing a competition.
  • Remember children learn best by example. Appreciate good performances and skilful plays by all participants.
  • Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.
  • Respect official’s decisions and teach children to do likewise.
  • Show appreciation for coaches, age managers, officials, and administrators. Without them, your child could not participate.
  • Respect the rights, dignity and worth of others.
  • If you disagree with an official, coach, age manager, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than question the officials judgment and honesty in public.
  • Remember that most officials, coaches, and age managers give their time and effort for your child’s involvement.
 

Nippers Code of Behaviour

  • Compete within the rules, and within the spirit of Surf Lifesaving and Avalon Beach SLSC.
  • Never argue with an official. If you disagree have your Age Manager, coach or team manager approach the official during a break or after the competition.
  • Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials and sledging of other competitors, deliberately distracting or provoking an opponent are not acceptable or permitted behaviours.
  • Work equally hard for yourself and/or your team.
  • Be a good sport. Applaud all good performances whether they are given by Avalon Beach SLSC or other clubs.
  • Respect the club house. Treat it as you would treat your home. Leave it tidy.
  • Respect the equipment you use, wash it and return it after use. Report any damage.
  • Treat all participants as you would like to be treated. Do not bully, interfere or take unfair advantage of another competitor.
  • Co-operate with your coach, age managers, team mates, officials and opponents. Without them there would be no competition.
  • Participate for your own enjoyment and benefit, not just to please parents and coaches.
By joining the Avalon Beach SLSC Junior Activities the Nipper, Parent and/or Caregiver acknowledges and accepts these Codes of Conduct.
Teams Selection Policy
1. Selection Policy Objective
The objective of the Avalon Beach SLSC is to select the most consistent and competitive team to represent Avalon Beach in each age group. We encourage all nippers to compete and represent our club, carnivals are fun and engender team spirit.
2. Selection Policy
  • Age Managers are to select teams in accordance with the selection policy objective.
  • Age Managers and Coaches will select teams primarily based on ability and performance at training and carnivals.
  • Other factors to be considered are availability, willingness to compete, commitment to training (attendance and performance), illness/injury, past performances and consistency.
  • Results at carnivals and club championships will carry greater weighting than results at club training activities.
  • All age relay, March Past, R&R will be selected by the relevant discipline coach and ratified by the JAC Executive.
  • Teams for Branch, State and Nationals must be submitted to the JAC Executive for ratification 10 days prior and teams will be posted 7 days prior to the event.
Team Manager
The person with overall responsibility for the team is the club appointed Team Manager. The team manager will liaise with the Carnival Referee and senior carnival officials.  
Protests
Should a competitor feel he/she has been unfairly impeded by another competitor or that an irregularity has occurred, there may be grounds for a protest. Please note however that “luck of the prevailing conditions” is an integral part of surf sports and is not a grounds for protest. Should a protest be considered the Nipper must immediately notify the Age Manager &/or Team Manager. A protest must be lodged within 5 minutes of the end of a race.
End of Season Awards
This year we will be presenting 3 major awards for both boys and girls in each age group, please note a nipper cannot win more than one age specific award:
  • Age Champion Award will be presented to one boy and one girl in each age group between U8 and U14 who performs best in both the Club Championship , Carnivals (based on placing 1-6 in individual events) and their participation in club activities.
  • Most Committed Award will be presented to one boy and one girl in each age group between U8 and U14 who attended the most club activities and carnival events throughout the season.
  • Encouragement Award will be presented to one boy and one girl in each age group between U8 and U14 who the Age Managers feel has participated to the best of their ability throughout the season.
  • Cadet of the Year Award will be presented to the cadet who has put in the most effort during the season.
  • Roland Luke Encouragement Award is presented to the nipper who has shown the most commitment to the club during their nipper years to date. Generally this award is given to an U14 SRC graduate.
  • Best Carnival Competitor Award is presented to the nipper who has performed better than any other nipper in individual events at the 4 branch sanctioned carnivals.