Meet The Team - Nicole Cooney

What’s your full name? Nicole Cooney

Do you have a nickname and how did you get it? Most people at the club call me Cooney - when I joined there were a couple Nicole's so it made it easier.

What’s your current position in the club? I'm currently the Director of Lifesaving Services

How long have you been in the role ? This season is my 5th season in the role.

When did you first join? 20 September 2013

Can you tell us about your lifesaving journey? I had thought about becoming a lifesaver for years, having grown up on Maroubra beach. Having lived overseas much of my schooling life I never did nippers, but I was in the ocean before I could walk. I finally bit the bullet and did so in 2013. I had already met members from South Maroubra through the gym I was training at, and that is how I chose the Club. Thanks Brad, Matt and Linda! I got my bronze and most other awards in my first season, including my IRB crews because I was told I just had to race IRBs (thanks Brad and Matt!). Very quickly I got into award training and soon took over from the great Ray Robbo looking after training the SRC, he taught me all he knew. Since then I have seen the kids I trained grow into young adults and mentored many of them, it's been one of my greatest pleasures. By my third season I was a Patrol Captain, and by my fourth season I joined the Board of Management as the Hon Secretary & Registrar. I spent two years in the Secretary role before becoming the Director if Lifesaving Services. It has been a great, and often times challenging, ten years but I have enjoyed every part of it.

What positions have you held in the club? Patrol Captain, Trainer, Hon Secretary and Registrar, Director of Lifesaving Services, Education Coordinator, IRB Coordinator

Any highlights? To be honest there are a lot of highlights. Since join the club 10 years ago I have tried a lot of things including IRB racing and Surf Boat rowing - both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. I love lifesaving and in particular training new lifesavers and have been awarded Sydney Branch Trainer of the Year twice. It's an honour to be nominated by the club and to have won. Being a part of it all has been a highlight!
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What does the future hold and any advice to fellow members? South Maroubra has a promising future. Since joining I have seen all sections grow and go from strength to strength. We have some amazing lifesavers and future leaders at our club and I am excited to see what the next chapter holds for them. My advice is to get involved, there are so many ways to do so - that suits your lifestyle and time. All you can do is give it a go!