In what must be classed as one of Australia’s finest international wins in amateur boxing, local Impact boxer Ciara Storch has won the gold medal in the prestigious 2025 USA Open International in Pueblo, Colorado.
Traveling with the Australian team and fighting under the guidance of her home coach and Boxing Australia’s Head Coach for this tour, Mark Evans, she faced a tough opponent from Canada, narrowly losing the first round 3-2 on the judge’s scorecards.
However following a strong pep talk from Coach Mark Evans, which had her fired up, Ciara came back determined taking the second round and setting everything up for a decisive third. With everything on the line, Ciara delivered a world-class performance, dominating her opponent to win the final round (65kg division) unanimously, thus gaining for her the title — USA Elite Women’s Champion.
“This is a massive achievement, and to do it here in the USA makes it even more credible,” said Head Coach Mark Evans. “I am so proud of this kid and how far she’s come.”
This gold medal adds to Ciara’s already impressive record: complementing the bronze she won at the World Championships, at the very same venue last November. It is obvious that from the report tabled by Coach Mark Evans, that, with teams currently competing across Switzerland, Belgium, Lithuania and the USA, “Exciting times lie ahead for Boxing Australia.”
The team of 11 emerging athletes transitioning from youth to elite boxing, performed exceptionally well, securing two gold and three silver medals. Considering that they are such a young group and fighting at an international level, their performance has been outstanding For Ciara and Team Impact next on the agenda they will contest the Central Queensland Titles in Rockhampton May 17.
Regarding the trip to the USA, to take 11 fighters to compete against fighters from all over, and come home with 5 medals speaks volumes for Australia’s performance. For many years we have battled against the fact that we in Australia, situated in isolation, are hungry for top class competition: but now that seems to be on the upturn. Someware, somebody must be doing a lot of things right. In the last twelve months or so, we have shown that we have the coaches and the talent: we just need the opportunity. That illusive Olympic Gold medal for boxing seems to be getting closer and closer.
Rugby League
Good to see the Pirates keeping up the Anzac Day tribute on our home ground. After a very rousing Anzac Day Tribute with Wayne “Whisky” Carter Life Member of Queensland RSL and Tewantin /Noosa RSL, serving for 23 years in the Royal Australian Air Force, reading the Ode of Remembrance and being joined by Billy Kippen and Marty Cocker Tewantin/Noosa RSL. the A grade Pirates were ready to bring it on – and play the game of the day against our visitors from Maroochydore.
With Big George Burgess making his home debut for Pirates it was definitely a tight game, but on the final whistle Pirates finished on top 20-14. This has kept Pirates top of the ladder with three wins and no losses. Pirates are heading into their next game after a week’s break to senior football, (due to Magic round,) with Stanley River the only other team not to have lost so far this season.
The afternoons football was started by the ladies Open Women’s vs Maroochydore. Maroochydore got out to a fast start- however the Noosa women stayed in the battle but unfortunately, on the final whistle they went down 30-26. Next on the paddock was Reserve grade against Maroochydore in what was a very scrappy game.
The Pirates were in it all the way but just could not close the opposition down. Thus, for the second time this season they finished with a drawn game 16 all. Add to this we have the results from the youth department that covers games from our U13 to U17.
Against Maroochydore, U13s boys beaten 30-6 but U13 girls won 54-4: U14 boys sat out a bye. U15s boys lost to Stanley River 20-10, but the girls won against Beerwah 30-6. In the U17s, boys won 40-8 against Gympie but the girls went down 54-4 against Caboolture.
The importance of the U13 to U17 divisions cannot be emphasised enough as this is the breeding grounds of our future: coaches, players, families and supporters. So, to all involved well done and keep up the good work and great support
Surf Life Saving. The birth of a surf club
It is now some 60 years since I received a certain phone call and on answering I immediately recognised the voice. It was Jack McMaster, President of Queensland Surf Life Saving, As was his habit Jack came straight to the point.
“Laney, you’re a Gympie old boy born and bred- right?”
“Yes Jack”
“Good- got a job for you. We want you to represent us, State Centre, at a meeting in Gympie. You will be required to attend a meeting of Gympie people at the Town Hall. They want to know what they have got to do to get a surf life saving club formed in a local tourist resort called Rainbow Beach: just outside of Gympie
“They are getting very concerned because a local bus company have started running regular Sunday picnic trips to Rainbow, and there is no lifesavers club. It’s not just the bus tourists, but also the locals who are now on the increase at that beach. This makes them think it is now time for a surf club to be formed
“Your job will be to attend on our behalf and explain the necessary procedure. You will then conduct a question-and-answer session: end of this you will leave the room for the Gympie people to hold their final discussion. If it is positive, report back give us a couple of weeks, and we will be back in touch.”
Two weeks later I was informed of the following. A squad of six young local lads have volunteered to join, get their bronze and with the support of former Gympie Noosa old boys, will help to get a club up and running. For their basic training and bronze exam, they were sent to Noosa, and it became my job to supervise all aspects of their training.
Being Gympie born and bred I happily accepted. On phoning Jack with my acceptance, I received a very strict warning. “Laney there is a kid called Cooper in the squad, and he can swim like a fish-he is red hot. Keep your bloody hands off him. I know you blokes are trying to build up your swim team, but that’s your bad luck. He is going to get his bronze and go back to Rainbow. End of story. Right?” “Yes Jack.”
All went well. The squad fitted in, obtained their bronze, returned to Gympie and the club was soon up and running. Like all new clubs they went through some rough times, but with further help from Noosa veterans such as Ian Young and the late Henry Young (no relation) the club moved on to better times. And now they can proudly say that have have upheld our core business motto – No lives lost between the flags while lifesavers on patrol.
Comes June 14, 2025 and for the Rainbow Beach SLSC there will be a gathering of the clan. Reason: to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Rainbow Beach SLSC. Congratulations one and all for a job well done.
