Athletics
Once again, our Noosa Athletics have returned from a state championship with a good medal count. In a report from head coach Mick Hooper, he brings to our attention the following results.
The event was the State Relay Championships held over the weekend at the QSAC facility in Brisbane. “Our club was represented in three events, the Open Women’s 4x100m the U16 Men’s 4×100 and the 4×400: with all competing on Saturday 16 November in one of the wettest conditions experienced in many long years.
Our U16 men’s team of Noah Eagle, Uli Veser, Archie Vassallo and Marlon Andrews won the bronze medal in both the 4x100m and the 4x400m. Our Open Women’s team of Taya Clayton, Courtney Steel, Brielle Steel and Mailee Scott-Jones won a bronze medal in the 4x100m. This was a great reward for the continued effort these athletes have been putting in during their squad sessions over the season.’’
With the ongoing success of the Noosa Athletics club at recent State-run carnivals, there can be no doubt that the existing coaching panel, run by Head Coach Mick Hooper would rate as one of the finest in the state. Therefore, we congratulate them one and all, for a job well done. And sponsors please take note.
Outriggers
However, it is not only our track and field athletes that has been amongst the medals. Our other local athletics the Outrigger Crews have also been picking up their fair share of medals. In a flyer submitted by Pascale Hegarty we are bought up to date with activities.
There has been another cracking Small Craft Race held by Wave Academy at Hope Island on the Gold Coast. The Wind Gods did not disappoint and there was a great downwind ride after punching into the wind. There was a huge Noosa contingent, and it was so good to see so many novices getting out to race. In the Short Course we had the Novice Women. For our two ladies, with absolute awesome work, Greer Butcher won the gold and Jules Browett the silver. In the Novice Men Shane Johnson also won the silver. In the Mixed Novice Rachel O’Sullivan and Jessie Friedlander were second in the OC2.
Golden Master Women saw Noosa’s Nicola Cameron winning Gold and Frankie Erickson taking fourth in her first Oc1 race: which was a good performance. In the Long Course results Senior Masters Women OC2-4 our amazing women took first and second place: the gold went to Flea and Manu and silver going to Nic Cameron and Sue Alvsaker.
Senior Masters Mixed OC2 Paz Hegarty and Paul Squire took the gold in their division and fourth overall in the long course. Golden Masters Men OCI saw Marco Rocco take the silver. In the Golden Masters OC2 was the first race together for Phil Benstead and Kevin Piercy and they won the gold.
Coming on November 30 the Noosa Club will host the Annual River Race at Chaplin Park, and the last race of the small craft Series will be held on the 7th December at Hope Island. Result saw the Noosa team with a tally of five gold and five silver medals: a good result for our local team.
Pickleball.
It is a cold fact of life that Pickleball along with Martial arts is still one of the fastest growing sports in Australia. And to make it more attractive the Noosa Pickleball Club is completely dedicated to welcoming new members to the sport: and this attitude is to be applauded. For those wanting to try the sport the club offers free lessons on Sundays at their home courts in Tewantin.
Also to make the offer of membership more attractive they now have a venue where they can play and call home: it’s called the Olive Donaldson Pavillion (Olive) Tewantin. A membership of 225 and growing speaks for itself.
At present plans are on the drawing board for a PAA-sanctioned regional tournament to be run at the Noosa Leisure Centre on the 5th and 6th of April 2025. It is expected that it will attract players from local arears as well as Hervey Bay, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Clubs Social Directors Sally Chapman and Cathie Middlin, organise social events, such as the recent outing on the River which was well attended: it provided a great chance to swap stories and catch up with one and another. There is also Free Friday Night Social play at the Olive.
You are invited to come and try lessons for the newcomers to the sport hosted by Lynne and Ross Nisbett, Cathy and Andrew Middlin, Steve Phillips, Bob Bleicher, Sally Chapman and Peter Belding. Other members such as Lyn Muir, Cathy Middlin, Sally Chapman and Gina Foster have planned a series of specialised training sessions, with renown coaches such as Gail Aiken for our female players.
This is subsidized by the active Women’s and Girls Grant for $ 7,500. Noosa Leisure Centre (NLC) this an important venue for club play. This includes a very popular Tuesday round -robin session (organized by Lyn Muir and Margot Tredinnick) and Thursday League (organised by Bob Bleicher, Lyn Muir and Peter Belding) allowing players of all levels to play competitively and grow their skills.
Keith Bing a long-time club member runs popular newcomer and beginner sessions on Sundays at NLC. Noosa State School provides another venue for club sessions hosted on Monday nights by Gina Foster. The club also runs special Saturday sessions at the Olive for different player abilities from beginners to advanced.
Kane Nolan, club volunteer offers training sessions for members and administers the Club Face Book and Instagram pagers. Members are very active attending PAA- sanctioned pickleball tournaments: Australian Pickleball Championships, Gold Coast and other tournaments,
The following club members bought home tournament gold, silver and bronze medals: John Murphy and Kane Nolan, Ross Nisbet and David Armstrong, Rob Hochstadt, Anita Smith and Kate Rorrison, Joanne Thompson and Janine Scott, Kim Sherry and Linda Armstrong, Maryanne Littlecrapp and Robyn Webster, Jannette Ward, Kerryn Browne, Peter Belding, Henry Chard, Luke McIntyre, Stuart Newland, Colleen Darcy, Bob Bleicher, Michael Heath, John Murphy, Ron Gatliff, amongst others.
Margot Tredinnick an accredited Level 4 Pickleball Referee serves as a Head Referee in several PAA and Professional state and national tournaments. She also helps organise PAQ/PAA referee training courses.
By the information forwarded to us by Bob Bleicher, Pickleball Club President, it is obvious that the club is addressing all aspects that are required to consolidate a successful club. We wish all involved the very best in the future.
Martial Arts.
Its more good news from the Noosa Caza Brazilians Jiu-Jitsu Club. In August the club celebrated the Caza BJJ 6th affiliation new gym opening at Caza Agnes Water. Situated at 43 Bicentennial Drive, Agnes Water, Owner and Head Coach Mirza Mahic has received his purple belt from Professor Yoshi Hasegawa of the Noosa Club.
The club is going strong, offering kids and adult classes for gi and no gi . Other BJJ affiliations clubs are as followers based in the various towns. (with the Caza BJJ Headquarters based in Noosa Heads.) Caloundra, Hinterland Cooroy, Rolling Fitness Maroochydore and Drop Bear Ipswich. Other news tells us, that adult grading will be conducted on 30 November with plans to promote six new black belts.
With this new addition, there will be a total of 22 black belts promoted by Head Cach Yoshi Hasegawa at Caza. The future for expansion of Jiu-Jitsu is indeed looking very positive.
