My Beach

More than 80 outstanding young individuals were recognised for their achievements across a range of areas, including lifesaving, surf sports and training, at Surf Life Saving WA’s annual Nipper & Youth Awards presented by the Scottish Masonic Charitable Foundation of WA, held this afternoon.

Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club’s Annika Rasmussen was a standout on the day, taking out her second consecutive Official of the Year title, in additional to being named 2021 Youth of the Year, and being recognised for attaining her Gold level in Surf Life Saving WA’s Youth Leaders Program.

Sixteen other outstanding individuals were also recognised for their attainment of Gold level in the Youth Leaders Program, which required them to have accumulated more than 230 volunteer hours during their period as a youth member, demonstrating significant commitment and dedication across multiple seasons.

Other major award winners were Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club’s Annabel Hurst, who was named 2021 Nipper of the Year, Fremantle’s Leah Purcell who took out U15 Lifesaver of the Year, while Trigg Island’s Isabella Neervoort was named 2021 Nipper Surf Sports Champion of the Year.

SLSWA President Craig Smith-Gander 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, values that 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 31 West Australian surf life saving clubs, the Nipper & Youth Awards were developed to recognise the contributions of 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 of these individuals has demonstrated a willingness to step up, contribute, and serve, and all are worthy of recognition.”

2021 Category Winners and Award Recipients

 2021 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 Nipper Program.

Annabel Hurst – Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club

Age: U13

Annabel is a leader in all aspects of the Woodside Nipper Program at Cottesloe Surf Life Saving Club. She is a key member of the U13 squad both socially and competitively and is always willing to help and/or lead. Annabel is a respectful member who always greets others in a welcoming way. She attends the club several times a week and is always willing to travel to represent her club at competitions.

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 2021 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.

Annika Rasmussen – Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club

Age: U17

Annika is an active patrolling member of Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club and this year gained her Advanced Resuscitation Certificate whilst on SLSWA Youth “Rise Up” Camp. She also has become a Training Officer and has helped train other youth members at her club. Annika has attained the Gold Level in the Youth Leaders Program and is an extremely active Youth Official.

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 2021 U15 Lifesaver of the Year

This award is presented for outstanding patrolling service by a youth Surf Rescue Certificate (SRC) holder during the 2020/21 season.

Leah Purcell  – Fremantle Surf Life Saving Club

Age: U15

Leah is a valued member of her surf lifesaving Patrol Team. During the 2020/21 season, she completed over 76 volunteer hours and also assisted with water safety at various carnival and events. Leah’s Patrol Captain describes her as an enthusiastic, motivated and respectful member of the patrol.
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2021 Surf Sports Champion of the Year

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

*The Surf Sports Age Champion is presented to the highest performing male and female nipper athletes of each age group (U10-U13) based on their performance at the 2021 SunSmart WA Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships, held on 12 – 14 March 2021.

Isabella Neervoort – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club

Age: U12

Isabella was awarded three individual gold medals at the 2021 SunSmart WA Nipper Surf Life Saving Championships, winning the 1km Run, Board Race and Ironwoman in the Under 12 age group. No other nipper athlete won more individual gold medals.

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2021 Youth Official of the Year

This award is presented for outstanding contribution and commitment to officiating within surf life saving during the 2020/21 season.

Annika Rasmussen – Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club

Age: U17

Annika is an extremely positive and encouraging role model to our Little Nipper and Nipper competitors. She has taken on many roles whilst acting as a Youth Official, including refereeing and mentoring others. She relates exceptionally well to both young and old and has the respect of all, making her a very deserving back-to-back winner of the Youth Official of the Year award.

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Gold Youth Leaders Program – Recipients

Available to all youth members, the optional Youth Leaders Program tracks the 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 in excess of 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 their award.

  • Amalie Haar-Bellekom – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
  • Annika Rasmussen – Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club
  • Ayesha Razvi – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
  • Ebony Millar – Yanchep Surf Life Saving Club
  • Grace Young – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
  • Imogen Ashworth – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
  • Jack Hadley – Fremantle Surf Life Saving Club
  • Jasmine Noorman – Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
  • Jonah Okines – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
  • Kallan Parsons – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
  • Lawson Baker – Esperance Goldfields Surf Life Saving Club
  • Lucas Walker – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
  • Phoebe Ashworth – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
  • Samantha Lourey – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club
  • Sophie Baron-Hay – City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club
  • Tayla Jones – Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club
  • Zara Kok – Trigg Island Surf Life Saving Club

For the full list of finalists and recipients click here.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Megan Jones, Marketing & Communications Officer

E: media@slswa.com.au

P: 0406 006 495

SLSWA Media Phone – media are reminded of the SLSWA Media Phone that is manned at the SurfCom radio operations base. Please call this number with media enquiries, particularly over weekends and Public Holidays: 0448 025 339