The next stars of Nippers

THE “heartwarming” Starfish Nippers program returns to where it all started on Anglesea Beach next week to give locals children with disabilities the opportunity to partake in Nippers.

Starfish Nippers will kick off on December 27, with more than 20 participants slated to attend and experience activities both in and out of the water.

Created in 2011 by Anglesea volunteers Janet Jones OAM and Naomi Symington, Starfish Nippers caters for children aged 6 years and above with a disability – including autism, attention deficit disorder, Down’s syndrome, Asperger’s Syndrome, physical and intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties.

The one-to-one ratio sessions focus on safety and fun and include traditional beach games, beach running, beach flags, swimming, board skills, water familiarisation, beach, water and surf safety.

The program has expanded to more than 20 clubs around the country, including Jan Juc SLSC, Point Lonsdale SLSC and Torquay SLSC.

Anglesea SLSC president David Marsh said he was incredibly excited to be welcoming children and their parents back down to the beach for the popular summer program.

“While it’s a specialist program, it’s part of our Nippers in the true sense of inclusivity,” he said.

“The Starfish Nippers are in amongst all their peers and while the activities are designed for them personally, it’s right there and that’s the beauty of it.

“It’s just amazing. When you watch it, it just melts your heart watching these children have the time of their life.

“They take their time, they learn in a different way, but it’s just unbelievable to watch the joy on the participants, families and volunteers faces.

“We just can’t wait to see them all!”

Starfish Nippers co-ordinator Matilda Cameron added her support for the resumption of the program.

“We’re so proud of the Starfish Nippers program and its origins at Anglesea Surf Life Saving Club,” she said.

“We are equally proud of the vision of the programs founders, the late Janet Jones OAM and Naomi Symington, to spread the program across Australia and the world has been realised.”

Anglesea SLSC will again provide all the resources and administration for other clubs running their own Starfish Nippers program during the summer period.

For more, head to www.starfishnippers.com.au/