Nippers place 6th at NSW State Championships

South Maroubra Nippers sent a competitive touring team of 103 nippers aged Under 9 to Under 14 to the NSW State Age Championships in Swansea-Belmont over the four days of 25-28 February 2021. Due to COVID-19, the normally very large Championships was divided into four smaller carnivals across two beaches (Blacksmiths Beach and Redhead Beach), and the age groups were split up with Under 9/10/11’s competing over the first two days, and Under 12/13/14’s competing over the following two days.

The majority of our nippers began surf and sand training last August in the hopes of representing South Maroubra at this pinnacle event of competitive junior surf lifesaving. COVID-19 was a hurdle all competitors had to overcome as there were times of no training, and there was little opportunity for carnivals and competition in the lead up to the NSW State Championships.

South Maroubra nippers competed in individual events including the surf swim, board, ironperson, wade, beach sprint, flags, and 1km/2km run, as well as in team events including the surf swim team, board relay, board rescue, Cameron relay (swim/run/board/run), beach sprint relay, and Rescue and Resuscitation (R&R) events.

In every competitive setting there will be highs and lows, and the State Championships were no exception. There were amazing moments where nippers exceeded their own expectations, and there were times of disappointment. However, what stood out above and beyond the results was the wonderful team camaraderie. The team spirit exuding from our young nippers was phenomenal, and to see nippers forego their own chance at success to rescue a team mate, to supporting each other in times of excitement and times of disappointment, made everyone who is a part of South Maroubra Nippers so extremely proud.

Competitors are awarded points for race placings 1st to 6th which contribute to the overall point score to award the NSW State Champion Junior Surf Club. I am very pleased to report that South Maroubra came 6th from 129 surf clubs in the state, equaling our result from last season. Our team brought home 8 gold medals, 6 silver medals, 9 bronze medals, and 9 placings of 4th, 5th and 6th. Thirty-nine nippers came home with a State medal. In addition, in the Inclusive events (competitors with a disability) we were represented by Under 12 nipper Daniel who bought home a medal in every event he competed in. Nippers placing 1st to 6th are listed below, and these young champions should be congratulated and celebrated.

As a volunteer organisation, we rely greatly on a VERY LARGE team of dedicated parents and club mates to enable our nippers to compete at the NSW State Championships. Our sincerest appreciation and thanks go to the following volunteers:

Leadership and support – Greg Turton (Director of Youth) and the South Maroubra SLSC Board of Management

Coaches (who have invested a massive amount of time and energy developing our nippers competitive skills and delivering free training across 7 days a week for the last 7 months) – Marty Kiernan, Andy Newrick, Darren McLean, Shane White, Michael Renford, Tony Jenkin, Max Murphy, Corrine Henville, Drew Richardson, Tony Vecellio, Jarrod Cullen, Paul Israel

Team uniform – Andy Newrick

Social media – Linda Perrin, Greg Turton

Fundraising – Genevieve Andersen, Chantal Hughes, Quinta Turton, Greg Turton, Toby Harrison, Shannon Gray, Emma Ryan, Paul Ryan, Phillipa Stanley, Diana Holford, Mary Kondilios, U14 nippers

Carnival officials – Edel Dickson, Tony Vecellio, Samantha Saunders, Laurie Last, Nicky Crewe, Tracey Teitler, Olena Stanilovskiy, Pam Vallis, Greg Turton

Water safety/IRB – Ashleigh Breaden, Darren Saunders, Dave Lowlett, Steve Perry, Genevieve Andersen, Jennie Smith, Kirsten Newrick, Norbert Dommel, Kellie Ellis, Paul Israel, Stephanie Keenihan, Greg Turton

Team managers – Greg Turton, Andy Newrick, Peter Kondilios, Cindy Redmond

Age managers – Phillipa Stanley, Tony Jenkin, Mary Kondilios, Georgie Israel, Greg Dickson, Damien Alexiou, Brian Madden, David Smith, Angela Maxwell, Pat Capaan, Leeann Soden, Luke Ellis, Noreen Madden, Peter Kondilios, Michael Renford, George Alexiou, David Dubois, Drew Richardson, Cindy Redmond, Darren McLean, Shane White, Jason Griffiths, David Driscoll

COVID marshalls – Natachia Boyle, Diana Holford, Cindy Redmond, Greg Turton

Plus the many parents who assisted with nipper supervision, support, and equipment set-up and pack away.

It has been an absolute pleasure to witness the effort from our nipper’s throughout this challenging season and at the State Championships, and for that effort every competitor should be applauded.

Bring on season 2021/2022!

Renae McNamara
Competition Team Manager

Results:
Congratulations to Daniel Driscoll on his outstanding medal haul in the State inclusion events.
Absolute champion. U12 State Champion
GOLD Flags
GOLD Board
SILVER Wade
BRONZE Beach Sprint
BRONZE Surf Race

U13 M Beach Relay SILVER Joshua Ballard/Luke Newrick/Jack Richardson/Dominic Schofield
U13 M Beach Sprint SILVER Luke Newrick & 5th Joshua Ballard

U12 M Beach Sprint BRONZE Christopher Kondilios
U12 M Beach Relay GOLD Syd Israel/Chris K/Taoko Samson/Payton Tarau
U12 Mixed Beach Relay 4th AdamBurton/Joshua Costa/AmyDickson/Kylar Vecellio

Our quinella pair Rory Muldowney & Ashton Briffa
U11 Beach Sprint - GOLD & SILVER

U14 M Surf Race BRONZE Luini Sete-Falemaka
U13 M Surf Race 7th Harry Crewe

U12/U13 R & R - 6th Rose Gibson/Eugenie Townsend
U13 M Flags SILVER Joshua Ballard
U13 IronWoman 7th Georgie Kiernan

​U11 Mixed Cameron Relay GOLD - Owen Lloyd-Jones/ Ryan McNamara/ Cobi Ryan-Last
U10 M Board Relay 6th - Joshua Gough/ Ethan Hoo/Liam Madden
U11 M Beach Relay GOLD -Ashton Briffa/Tom Maxwell/Rory Muldowney/Dominic Smith
U11 Mixed Beach Relay SILVER - Joshua Capaan/Ffyon McCabe/Isaac Smith/Estelle Soden-Smith
U9 Mixed Beach Relay GOLD - Sean Dickson/Liam Knibbs/ Makayla Kondilios/Olivia Philip
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U11 M Surf Team - 5th Owen Lloyd-Jones/.Ryan McNamara/Tayte Melia/Jordan Pribadi
U10 M Board Relay - 6th Joshua Gough/Ethan Hoo/Liam Madded
U9 F Surf Team - BRONZE Isi Buckett/Scarlett Crew/Mia Hoo/Sophie Maley
U11 M Beach Sprint GOLD Rory Muldowney
U11 M Beach Sprint SILVER Ashton Briffa
U11 M Beach Sprint 8th Dominic Smith
U10 M Beach Sprint SILVER Jayden Newrick
U10 F Beach Sprint - 6th Emily Maxwell
U10 F Beach Sprint - 7th Emily Rana
U10 Mixed Beach Relay GOLD Team A - Katahra Boyle-Raniga/Emily Maxwell/Jayden Newrick/Christian Smith
U10 Mixed Beach Relay Team B - 4th Felix Anderson-Allen/Tobias Panlilio/Emily Rana/Emily West

​U9 M Beach Sprint 9th Liam Knibbs
U9 F Beach Sprint BRONZE Makayla Kondilios 
U9 Mixed Beach Relay - GOLD Sean Dickson/Liam Knibbs/Makayla Kondilios/Olivia Philip
U10 F Surf Team - BRONZE Amelia Alexiou/Chelsea Crean/Emmeline Giraud/Evie Messiter

​U10 M Surf Race BRONZE Ethan Hoo
U10 M Board Race 11th Ethan Hoo 
U10 F Surf Race 8th Chelsea Creen
U9 F Surf Race GOLD Mia Hoo 
U9 F Board Race BRONZE Mia Hoo 
U10 M Flags 8th Isaac Smith 
U10 M Flags BRONZE Jayden Newrick 
U9 M Flags GOLD Max Israel 
U10 F Flags BRONZE Katahra Boyle-Raniga 
U10 F Flags 5th Emily Maxwell 
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