First Day of Nippers

Sunday, September 19th 2010

All nippers are to meet at 8.15am in front of the BMD Northcliffe Surf Club. Clothing will be available to purchase from 7am from the club or you can come in earlier during the week to beat the first day rush.

Nipper Program

Every age group has an Age Manager with one or two assistants. The Age Manager is responsible for the education, training and organisation of the group.

On club days all children assemble on the grassed area in front of the Clubhouse at 8.15am, 15 minutes before the scheduled commencement time, and be wearing their swimming costumes, cap, sunscreen, optional wet shirt and bring their water bottle. Age Managers will call a roll and mark off an attendance sheet before a 15 minute group warm up.

Each age group has a time table to follow alternating between beach and water events. Most nipper days are split into two halves (8.45 - 9.30am & 9.45 - 10.30am). In the first half, U8-U9 nippers who have been selected in the High Performance Squad join Gavin for a more specific training session. The second half of the nipper days, sees the older High Performance Squad members (U11-14) joining Gavin. This allows the age managers to focus on members who lack certain skills or confidence with the goal for those members to be selected in the High Performance Squad.

At the conclusion of the days activities children are again checked off the attendance roll before they leave their group. Children are not to leave the Clubhouse or its surrounds until collected by the adult responsible for them.

During the season the younger age groups are sometimes taken to Evandale Lake where the flat water enables all nippers to swim and paddle without the fear of rough conditions.

Championship Days

3 nipper days throughout the season will be designated as Championship Days. To be eligible for Age Champion, the nipper must attend at least 50% of Sunday nipper days. The best 2 overall days will determine the age champion. Points are awarded as follows 1point = 1st place, 2 points = 2nd place etc. The nipper with the lowest points wins. Championship days to be advised.

Trophies

The following trophies will be given out at the end of year presentation for each age group (U8-14)
Age Champion, 2nd place, 3rd place
Most Improved
Age Managers Award
Sportsmanship Award
U8-10s - "Imogen Oulten" Most courageous Award
U11-14s - "Gavin Hill" Best Performance Award
Junior Member of the Year Award "Bed Shed"