Outstanding contributions of young members recognised

More than 100 outstanding young members from across WA were recognised for their achievements at Surf Life Saving WA’s (SLSWA) annual Nipper & Youth Awards presented by the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of WA, held this afternoon.

Nearly 300 guests gathered at this year’s event to recognise and celebrate the achievements across a range of areas, including lifesaving, surf sports competition and volunteering.

Categories awarded included the U15 Lifesaver of the Year, Surf Sports Nipper Champion, U14/U15 Athlete, Youth Official, Nipper and Youth of the Year.

Thirty-four outstanding individuals were also recognised for their attainment of Gold Level in Surf Life Saving WA’s Youth Leaders Program, which required them to have accumulated more than 230 volunteer hours during their period as a youth member, requiring significant commitment and dedication across multiple seasons.

SLSWA President Craig Smith-Gander AM said he was very proud of the contributions these young members were making to their club and local communities.

“Surf Life Saving WA’s ethos of ‘saving lives and building great communities’ starts with these young people as they journey through the Woodside Nippers and youth programs at their local club,” said Mr Smith-Gander.

“Their participation in these programs instils in them values of volunteerism and social responsibility, which they will carry beyond their involvement in Surf Life Saving and into their studies, workplaces and wider communities in the future.”

With over 10,500 nippers and youth members across West Australia’s 31 surf life saving clubs, the awards were developed to recognise the contributions of these young members.

“The calibre of these award recipients was exceptional and demonstrates that the future of Surf Life Saving in WA is looking bright,” said Mr Smith-Gander.

“Each individual has demonstrated a willingness to step up, contribute, and serve, and all are worthy of recognition.”

2022 Award Recipients and Category Winners

2022 Nipper of the Year

The Nipper of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding Nipper Club Achiever.*

*The Nipper Club Achiever award is presented to an outstanding nipper member (U10-U13), as nominated by their club, in recognition of their achievement in the areas of individual safety, surf awareness, lifesaving and surf sports skills, within the Woodside Nippers Program.

Tahlia Croome – Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club   Age: U13

Tahlia’s commitment to all aspects of Surf Life Saving is impeccable. She always puts the team first and willingly jumps into any activity or event to ensure the club fields a team. Tahlia’s Age Managers describe her as an inspiration. They say she has an unwavering capacity to put her heart and soul into everything she does.

2022 Youth of the Year

The Youth of the Year is awarded to the most outstanding Youth Club Achiever.*

*The Youth Club Achiever award is presented to an outstanding youth member (U14-U17), as nominated by their club, in recognition of their achievements and commitment to the areas of lifesaving, training, leadership and surf sports.

Angus Bowles – Albany Surf Life Saving Club   Age: U17

Angus is a proactive, team-orientated individual who is well-respected by both his peers and older members of the club. He is a fantastic role model for younger members, being described as an exceptional mentor as he leads by example and always tries his best. Angus holds a strong presence around the club, making it a better place.

2022 Youth Official of the Year

This award is presented for outstanding contribution and commitment to officiating within surf life saving surf sports competition during the 2021/22 season.

Adam Fortey – Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club   Age: U17

Adam displays an outstanding attitude, professionalism and maturity when officiating at Surf Life Saving surf sports events and carnivals. He is always happy, friendly, respectful, and caring, with a team-orientated approach. Adam understands the rules well and is willing to give any task a go, even acting as a referee on occasions throughout the season.

2022 U15 Lifesaver of the Year

This award is presented to a youth member under the age of fifteen who has displayed outstanding patrol service during the 2021/22 season.

Elise Fry – City of Bunbury Surf Life Saving Club   Age: U15

Since gaining her Surf Rescue Certificate, Elise has become a competent and active lifesaver, even aiding the WA Police in rescuing five boys caught in a rip at Back Beach. Also assisting with water safety at club and external events, Elise’s dedication to patrolling and club life, in general, is described as exemplary.

2022 Surf Sports Nipper Age Champion

This award is presented to the most outstanding Surf Sports Nipper Age Champion*

*The Surf Sports Nipper Age Champion is presented to the highest performing male and female athletes of each age group (U10-U13) based on their performance at the 2022 SunSmart WA Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships, held on 18 – 20 March 2022.  

Madelyn Bertolini – Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club   Age: U12

Madelyn had an outstanding weekend at the 2022 SunSmart WA Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships, picking up six gold medals across the three days of competition. Three of these gold medals were for individual events, the Surf Race, Board Race and Ironwoman. Her remaining three gold medals were collected in team events.

2022 Surf Sports U14/U15 Age Champion

This award is presented to the most outstanding Surf Sports U14/U15 Age Champion.*

*The Surf Sports U14/U15 Age Champion is presented to the highest performing male and female athletes of each age group (U14-U15) based on their performance at the 2022 SunSmart WA Surf Life Saving Championships, held on 12 – 13 March 2022.

Tex Cross – North Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club   Age: U15

Tex dominated the water events in the youth arena at the SunSmart WA Surf Life Saving Championships, taking the gold medal in all three U15 individual events, namely the Surf Race, Board Race and Ironman. He was also a pivotal member of North Cottesloe’s gold medal-winning Youth Board Rescue, Board Relay, Cameron Relay and Surf Teams.

2022 U14/U15 Athlete of the Year

This award is presented to the most outstanding U14/U15 Athlete of the Year. *

*The U14/U15 Athlete of the Year recognises a youth member (either U14 or U15) who has demonstrated sporting excellence during the 2021/22 season. This award may take into account performances in major competitions, competition series, and participation in representative teams.

Zahra Buckley – Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club   Age: U15

Zahra had a great season commencing with a silver and bronze medal at the Endurance Championships last October in divisions of the 3km Beach Run. At the SunSmart WA Surf Life Saving Championships, Zahra won individual gold in the U15 Beach Sprint and individual bronze in the U15 Beach Flags; she also took home a team gold in the Youth Beach Relay. Zahra’s season culminated with gold at the Australian Youth Championships in the U15 Beach Sprint.

Gold Youth Leaders Program – Recipients

Available to all youth members, the Youth Leaders Program tracks the volunteer hours a youth member puts into lifesaving, training and surf sports. There are three recognition levels to the program; Bronze, Silver and Gold, which are increasingly difficult to obtain. To achieve Gold Level, members have accumulated more than 230 volunteer hours during their period as a Surf Life Saving youth member (U14 – U17).

Those who have successfully completed the highest level, Gold, were presented with their award.

• Alexander Nicholls – Alkimos Surf Life Saving Club
• Erne Potgieter – Alkimos Surf Life Saving Club
• Cerys Chiappa – Alkimos Surf Life Saving Club
• Maddie Phillips – Alkimos Surf Life Saving Club
• Charlie Trew – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
• Ethan Nguyen – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
• Megan McCaffrey – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
• Rosa Dickie – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
• Stella Morgan – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
• Annaliese Cummings – Coogee Beach Surf Life Saving Club
• Grace Buttle – Esperance Goldfields Surf Life Saving Club
• Shae Nesbitt – Esperance Goldfields Surf Life Saving Club
• Phoebe Higgins – Mandurah Surf Life Saving Club
• Sydnee Gould – Mandurah Surf Life Saving Club
• Angus Belton – Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
• Ashlin Traeger – Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
• Meagan Tong – Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
• Patrick Walsh – Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
• Riley Walsh – Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
• Georgie Overton – Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club
• Niamh Wools-Cobb – Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club
• Annika Negus – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Blake Monaghan – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Blake Nelligan – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Ellis Aitchison – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Grace McManis – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Jack Hemmingway – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Julia Suffell – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Lily Boisvert – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Rhys Bawden – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Sophie Lawson -Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Tom Boisvert – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Zoe Moore – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
• Isabella Dall – Yanchep Surf Life Saving Club