Kayaking
With the increasing number of youths in our community now turning to sport, it is good to see the high standard of coaching that is now available: and in particular sports that in many instances are not so well known and promoted. Take for example the sport of kayaking. Despite being an Olympic and highly regarded international sport, we seem to hear very little of it in Australia.
However, in our community this is not the case. Here in our own backyard, we have for the sport of kayaking, a program coordinator and Queensland Academy of Sport(QAS) coach, Sharlene Kelly. Sharlene, herself a former Australian team member for an international tour of Europe said, “The popularity for the sport of Sprint Kayaking is gradually increasing in the Noosa area and we are building a great squad of junior paddlers. With Brisbane 2032 Olympics (less than 9 years away) the junior athletics in the Noosa squad now will very possibly be our Brisbane 2032 Olympians.”
The new cohort for the QAS You For 2032 talent identification program, is well under way. Seven athletics were selected to take part in the 3-month trial phase for Sprint Kayaking which is the largest number for athletes for the area since the program started. The first event for the season is the QLD Sprint Kayak Titles to be held on 9-11 November at Coomera Lake Gold Coast.
Coach Kelly is very thankful for the support from the local community in adding to the program’s success with the recent offer to share the Noosa Coastal Rowing facility, supported by Noosa Council’s Sport and Active Lifestyle.
Noosa Heads and Sunshine Beach Lifesaving Surf Lifesaving clubs, have also shown their support for the program with 8 out of the 10 athletes in the squad being members of either club.
“Surf Life Saving and Sprint Kayaking have always had a close connection. Of the past and present Australian Olympic Sprint Kayakers 95 per cent also compete in Surf Life Saving, Surf Sports,” said Sharlene.
Noosa Athletics.
Last weekend seven squad members from Noosa Athletics competed at the Queensland Representative School Sports Track and Field State Titles in Brisbane. The atmosphere was great as Noosa athletes showcased their dedication and determination in sprinting, hurdles, long jump, relays and race walk.
Head Coach Mick Hooper said, “The four days which featured a variety of track and field disciplines provided a platform to shine and demonstrate their hard work and training. The support from the Qld school community was palpable as teachers’ friends and family cheered on the dedicated athletes from across the State. The event served not only a testament to the athlete’s hard work but also highlighted the strong sense of community and camaraderie that exists within the Noosa club.”
Among the standout performances was Taya Clayton who won bronze in the 100m sprint and gold in the 80m hurdles. Taya also achieved a personal best time of 12.54 in the hurdles and set a new Qld School record in the process, whilst breaking the seven- year record. Marion Andrews won silver in the 200 and set two personal best times in the 100m and 200m. In doing so, he qualified for the Australian Championships in Adelaide next April.
Eli Melinz showcased his incredible endurance in the 3000m race walk, bringing home a silver medal and Mailee Scott Jones ran the first leg of the 4x100m relay clinching a well-deserved silver medal for her efforts. As the sun went down on the track and field competition, the Noosa athlete left with a sense of pride and accomplishment. With their remarkable performance they set the bar high for future competitions and continue to serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes in the region.
Surf Lifesaving
Cohort 5 of the SLSA Women’s Mentor Program is in the final stages of selection. Every year 20 mentees are partnered with a mentor from Surf Life Saving Clubs from all over Australia. The aim of the program is to encourage and upskill Women in Surf lifesaving so as to be educated and confident to apply for management roles within their club. Teaching management skills is also of the utmost importance.
Surf Lifesaving Australia realise that women are hesitant to take on management positions within their club for a wide variety of reasons. Therefore, they are working to encourage Surf lifesaving at State, Branch and Club level to increase participation. Sunshine Coast Branch recently held a coach development session to encourage coaching participation and accreditation for all their clubs on the Sunshine Coast.
Noosa Heads coach Sharlene Kelly and Sunshine Beach head coach Wes Berg both presented at the session. ‘’Upskilling surf club members to become coaches has a real positive effect for the future of our surf clubs. Our junior athletes benefit from greater coach education and the club’s benefit from having more qualified coaches to rely on,” said Sharlene Kelly.
The idea of having advanced training coaching courses for women can only serve to benefit the clubs: not only in sport but also in our core business of lifesaving. If it is good enough for young women in surf clubs, to stand on the hot summer sands doing patrols or the pouring rains of the cyclonic season, then surely it should follow, that if they chose to become instructors, they learn how to pass on their experience gained as lifesavers.
The same can be said for the coaches in the world of sport. Having participated, won or lost they must be taught how to pass on their knowledge and experience to the young. There can be no greater learning curb than the voice of experience.
But also, there can be nothing sadder than to see a young experienced woman walk away with all that knowledge and experience, simply because she is shy and lacks the confidence to teach.
It is a big well done to Lana Rogers on winning the Coolangatta Gold Marathon. This delightful young lady, formerly of the Noosa club but now a member of Northcliffe, is all heart and soul. While a member of Noosa she was popular with the old boys as she would take the time to stop and have a chat: followed by a million dollar- smile and a wave. We wish her every success in the seasons ahead. Also, a big well done to Noosa’s Carla Papac who finished in 5th place. Carla, last year’s winner, has shown that she is definitely amongst the elite.
Next week we have a good look at Noosa’s all over performance over the two days, the Saturday and Sunday: covering all age groups. Definitely, a fantastic effort and remember, for some it was their first ever Gold. Well done to all and a big thank you to the coaching panel.
This Saturday the Noosa Surf club will play host to their first boat carnival of the year. Known as the Navy Youth and Masters Round 1 Noosa will be well represented: if last year is any indication there will be anything from 25-30 crews competing from all up the Queensland coast. From Noosa all indications are that they will have two U19 boys crews and two U19 girls. Add to this, an U23 boys and a masters crew.
Affectionately known as the Condors, the masters have been rowing for several years and their support for the younger crews is good to see. Also Saturday will see the first carnival race of the new Netanya Noosa Surf Boat: and we wish the Netanya and all who row in her all the very best. Also, club boat sweep Stu Cooper extends a warm invitation to Noosa Old Boys to attend the carnival. “We know they have done a lot for the club so we would like to meet and say hello.”
