Williamstown Swimming and Lifesaving Club has brought home a swag of medals from the Victorian Junior Surf Lifesaving Championships in Warrnambool.
The nippers (competitors aged eight to 14) returned with 15 medals, including four golds – in the under-10 boys’ surf race, the under-11 girls’ 500 metres, the under-9 girls’ board relay and the under-9 boys’ surf team.
Damien Bull, the club’s communications director, said the strong results were a reward for the hard work of the young athletes and the support of their families.
“They’ve been a great group of kids these 12 months and it’s really nice to recognise what they’ve done,” he said. “These kids train three times a week for competition – on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays – and that’s apart from the regular Friday night nippers education program.
“It’s a big commitment from those kids to eventually get to the state championships and a big commitment from their families.”
Strong camaraderie exists between the Williamstown nippers, with a roar erupting whenever a Williamstown competitor was racing for a place.
“When one of the Willy kids was about to come a place, the whole team got behind the kid,” Bull said. “It was pretty inspiring.”
The Williamstown youngsters went into the championships as one of the underdogs but took the challenge up to their more fancied coastal rivals.
Bull said the decision by the club to hold occasional training runs in Torquay helped the nippers get used to different conditions.
More than 1500 competitors and 2000 spectators watched on as 30 teams took part in the event.
“It was a fantastic atmosphere,” Bull said. “You’ve got so many families down there having a great time.”
Lance Jenkinson
