Starfish Nippers wins at Victorian Sports Awards

THE Anglesea-based Starfish Nippers program has been recognised for encouraging inclusivity in sport at the Victorian Sport Awards.

Starfish Nippers is a lifesaving skills program designed for people aged six and up with disabilities.

Founders Naomi Symington and Janet Jones received the Peter Norman Inclusion Award at the February 26 ceremony at Marvel Stadium for the nine years they have spent developing and growing the program.

The pair were eager to share the recognition.

Ms Symington said the award was for the entire Starfish Nippers community.

“We accepted the award on behalf of the whole Starfish family, which includes all of the Starfish Nippers, their families, the trainers and the people who run the programs at the various clubs. So, it was really a win for the whole Starfish family.”

The program has been taken up by nine surf lifesaving clubs in Victoria, another 10 across the country, and even one in France.

Ms Jones hoped having the program recognised would help encourage further inclusivity in sport.

“It was a great honour and very overwhelming with a crowd of 500 people there and with all the finalists in our category who had also done an amazing job with inclusion,” she said.

“It’s great because it spreads the word about everyone being able to join in and be part of sport and the community.”

The program begun in Anglesea with just five Starfish Nippers and 10 volunteer trainers from the Anglesea SLSC.

Ms Jones said the Anglesea community’s willingness to embrace the program helped its growth.

“Our community has been very supportive and helped with donations and grants towards the program.

“The community now has different programs, like the Art House now has different activities for them (the Starfish Nippers) when nippers isn’t on, there’s a fun run the Yacht Club holds, and last year they went barefoot bowling and had a social day there (Anglesea Bowls Club).”

While the program has grown exponentially, many of the same participants and trainers who started the program at Anglesea are still involved.

Ms Symington said the program was continuing to evolve with its participants.

“We’re responding to the needs of our participants and challenging them every year so that they continue to learn new skills.”

Barwon Heads mogul skier Jakara Anthony was also among the finalists for Female Athlete of the year, and Kardinia Park Stadium Trust’s Festival of Sport was a finalist for the Community Sporting Event of the Year award.