Ron Lane
Martial Arts.
In the fast-growing sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the Australian National Championships were recently held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre Albert Park. In what can only be described as a very successful championship, some 2303 athletes from 84 clubs around Australia gathered on the mats.
Representing Noosa, from the CAZA Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu club was a team of 11 athletes coached, by Professor Yoshi Hasegawa. At tournaments end the results speak for themselves. Our team returned home with a total of 9 gold 3 silver medals and 7 National Championships.
In the Gi championships (grappling with the use of traditional uniform) and no Gi grappling (without the traditional uniform: instead wearing shorts and a rashie), club members were indeed successful. Double championships, for gi and no -gi, were won by Ava Greason and Samson Barton. National championships for Caza Club went to both Ava and Samson for winning the double.
Others to win National Titles were Morgan Van Der Walt, Scarlett Triga, Daniel Svoboda, Cassius Osborne and Koushi Kawazi. In the best Junior Team Ranking our Caza club finished in 11th place. When we consider that the club had only 11 members competing it was definitely an impressive result.
For the Caza club their next competition will be the Sunshine Coast Open Championships 15th September. These will be held at the Caloundra Indoor Sports Centre and will be the last tournament for the year. As owner and head coach of CAZA Club, Professor Yoshi Hasegawa outstanding results could now have him rated in the category of elite coach.
It is not only his results but also the conduct and behaviour of his pupils away from the world of competition, that takes him into that rare category. A coach and a club that indeed draws the right attention to the sport, in our community.
Between the Flags
For the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club success is once again a constant companion. At the recent Australian Pool Rescue Championships held on the Gold Coast Team Sunshine bought home 5 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals.
Coach Alex Nolan summed it up ell when he said, “It is incredible to bring home so many new Australian Champions. A huge achievement that does not come easily or often. They reflect the determination hard work and fun.”
A highlight of the clubs’ success, was that every competitor who participated in the titles, secured a top 6 placing. This means that every athlete contributed significantly to the club’s success: 7th place overall. Beyond the medals and results, what stood out even more was the spirit, energy and pride that each member of Team Sunshine bought to the carnivals.
The athletes supported each other, celebrated each success and displayed exceptional sportsmanship embodying the true spirit of the Sunshine Beach Club. Congratulations to all athletes for their hard work over the last three months and their incredible performances.
Sunshine is extremely fortunate to have the amazing coaching of Alex Nolan steering the pool rescue squad in the right direction. Alex’s knowledge and experience of being a past world champion and Australian representative in pool rescue, has been pivotal in Sunshine’s success this season.
Rugby League.
For Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club last weekend was definitely a mixed bag. In the C grade Noosa 30 defeated Kilcoy 24. It was a great win for Noosa which was led by halfback Ryan Christensen and fullback Lucas Palmer. The win now puts them in a grand final qualifier against Mary Valley, with the winner to take on Caloundra.
In the reserve grade Beerwah 22 defeated Noosa 6. Unfortunately for Noosa they started too slow against a very physical Beerwah. Too many errors and lack of field position resulted in the loss. Noosa now take on Caloundra in the grand final qualifier next weekend.
The A grade also went down to Coolum 10 points to 4. “It was one of those games,” said Head Coach Michael Duff, “where we were unable to ice the moments, and missed opportunities with the footy. Defensively we were strong but to many penalties and lack of field position cost us dearly. I thought we were missing the direction and control of suspended half back Corey Herdegen and the strike power of injured centre George Fisher. Our forward pack defended strongly and never gave up, but it just wasn’t our night.
This weekend we have a few players back for the qualifier against Beerwah.’’ Grand final qualifiers will play this Saturday 7th September at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Noosa C grade v Mary Valley 2.30pm. Reserve grade v Caloundra 4.00pm and at 5.30pm Noosa A grade v Beerwah.
Outriggers.
The paddling season in Australia has yet to commence, but a lot of Noosa Outrigger paddlers have been competing in Hawaii, firstly in Hilo at the World Sprint Titles, and then in the Queen Lili’uokalani, the world’s largest Outrigger Canoe Race. Held in Kona on the Big Island, the race attracks over two thousand paddlers every Labour Day weekend: and race is over a distance of 29 kl.
Flea White and Cara Robinson finished 3rd in their division while former club President Bodo Lenitschek was part of a Brisbane crew which won the over 60s. Another Noosa Team featuring former club coach Des Mabbot won the over 70s. There were many creditable performances by our paddlers: and to top it off a great time was had by all. Col Jones
The River Fire Event.
It is the other side of the coin for a small group of our lifesavers. These are 4 dedicated highly experienced night operations members, from Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads Surf Clubs. They were engaged to provide Rescue Watercraft, on-water safety, operating under the command of Queensland Water Police.
Surf Lifesaving Queensland Jetski’s provide a rapid response to rescue members of the public, who may have fallen into the Brisbane River. The operators and their jet skis are equipped to operate in both daytime and also, to perform night operations. The RWC operators are highly skilled- members of the Surf Lifesaving Queensland Support team, with combined decades of experience in both daytime patrolling, and after- hours night emergency response: across the Sunshine Coast.
Sunshine Coast Operations Support Advisor Steve Crisp said, “We had a very safe and successful engagement with Queensland Water Police, other agencies and members of the public with no water rescues required during the evening. This event also provided us with an opportunity to execute as a team at night and to utilise our recent access to the Government Wireless Network (GWN) for efficient communications with QPS command. I had confidence in our team and equipment to rapidly respond to anyone who may have fallen into the fast-moving Brisbane River tide.
As a community we should show our thanks to our local Sunshine Coast Surf Lifesaving team of, David James, Doug Gould, Joe Cirillo and Steve Crisp.
Nipper trials will be on 13 and 27 September and a free come and try sessio will be held on 8 September at 11am at Girraween Sports Centre.
