Avoca Beach Surf Lifesaving Club (SLSC) endeavours to make its nippers primarily a fun activity.  We aim to enable the kids to learn valuable lessons in the surf, to promote a healthy lifestyle and develop social skills.

At Avoca Beach we encourage participation, strong competition and ‘good sport’ social behaviors (for the parents as well as the kids).

Objectives

• To make the experience fun and enjoyable

• To teach our kids to be safe in the water by providing surf skills and education.

• To encourage competition in Junior Surf Life Saving Carnivals throughout the season

• To enhance the themes of a healthy beach lifestyle and correct social behaviors

• To encourage strong membership within our club and future participation in the surf life saving movement.

• To encourage social interaction and activities with our membership

• Sunday Morning Nippers is run by volunteers.  The club wishes to acknowledge & thank these people for the many hours they have given.

• Spectators

• Children play sports for fun. They are not playing for the entertainment of spectators, nor are they miniature professionals.

• Applaud good performance and efforts of your child and his/her opponents. Congratulate both on their performance regardless of the outcome.

• Respect the official’s decision. If there is a disagreement, follow the appropriate procedure in order to question the decision and teach the children to do likewise. · Never ridicule or scold a child making a mistake during a competition. Positive comments are motivational.

• Condemn the use of violence in any form, be it from spectators, coaches, officials or participants.

• Encourage competitors to compete according to the rules and official’s decision.

• Demonstrate appropriate social behaviour by not using foul language, harassing competitors, managers, coaches or officials.

• Relax and enjoy yourself because that is what sport is supposed to be about.

Competitors

• Compete for fun and not just to please parents or coaches.

• Play by the rules.

• Never argue with an official. If you disagree, have your manager approach the official in the proper manner.

• Control your temper. Verbal abuse of officials or other competitors, deliberately fouling or provoking others is not acceptable or permitted in  any sport.

• Work equally hard for yourself and your team.

• Be a good sport. Cheer ALL good competitors and support the not so good.

• Treat all competitors as you would like to be treated.

• Do not interfere with, bully or take advantage of another competitor.

• Co-operate with your coach, team-mates and opponents. Without them there is no competition.

• ENJOY YOURSELF

Parents

• If children are interested, encourage them to participate. However, if they are not willing, do not force them.

• Focus on the child’s efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of the event. This assists the child to set realistic goals related to their ability rather than the emphasis on winning.

• Teach them that an honest effort is just as important as victory so that each result can be accepted without undue disappointment.

• Encourage them to play according to the rules.

• Remember they learn best by example. Applaud good performance by all.

• Support efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from sporting activities.

• Recognise the value and importance of helping out and becoming involved. Even the smallest help will be appreciated