Ron Lane
It’s happened again – another great performance from our athletes of the Noosa Little Athletics Club.
From the 24-26 March our team proudly supported by parents travelled to Townsville for the Queensland Little Athletics State Championships. This was a huge event with over 1400 competitors battling it out for state glory over three days.
Our Noosa team members again produced some outstanding results, bagging a total of 18 medals: five gold, seven silver and six bronze. Supporting this there were many personal best performances and top 10 finishers. This speaks volumes for the future of this great club.
These championships were also selection trials for prestigious U13 Queensland team that will compete at the Australian Little Athletics Championships in Melbourne, 21-23 April.
“Our club had three members named on the team which was our best ever representation,” said proud head coach Mick Hooper.
Taya Clayton won gold in the U13 100m and 80 m hurdles; Marlon Andrews winning gold in the U13 100m sprint and silver in the 400m: Eli Melinz for silver in the U13 1500 walk.
We will also have Luca Gerrard representing Queensland in the newly formed U14 Australian little Athletics to be held in Melbourne over the same weekend. Luca has been selected for the 100m sprint and triple Jump, based on his performance over the last 12 months.
This is fantastic for our small club to have four of our up-and-coming athletes taking on the best in Australia, definitely well deserved results after all their dedication to training and competition.”
Once again, the head coach expressed his sincere thanks to all families and supporters who made the long trip north thus, giving the support athletes need to perform at their best
Outrigger canoe club
At the recent Round 4 of the South Queensland Zone OC6 Series, held at Coffs Harbour for the Outrigger Canoe competitors, our local crews performed well.
After three previous rounds, which were held at Noosa, Broadwater and Northcliffe, Noosa was leading overall with 448 points from Gold Coast 326 and Mooloolaba on 324.
The Noosa Senior Masters Mens, the Golden Masters Mens and the Golden Masters Mixed Woman’s, all won their Divisions at Coffs Harbour, thus maintaining their overall lead. With two more series to go to the finals of the OC6, all is looking good for Noosa.
Rugby League
For Noosa Pirates Rugby League it was certainly a big weekend.
On Saturday the Bendigo Open Ladies played Gympie and they have had better days with only a regular forward pack of four players.
With a final score of 42-8 in favour of Gympie, there was some flashes of courage that indicated the tide will turn.
In the U19s, they played Caloundra going down 16-4.
However, there was signs of a big improvement on their last game and the season has a long way to go.
Sunday saw Division 2 Pirates play Coolum on their home ground. Pirates finish on top 20-10.
“It was a great win against Coolum,” said coach Danny Riddle.
“We really took control in the forwards, right from the start. We did concede the first try, but by half time we made amends and were in control. Second half we continued the pressure and wrapped up the match with a try on fulltime.”
For Pirates, Aiden Webb put in an awesome display on the wing against much bigger opponents. Add to this great value from new recruits from Cherbourg, Robert and Fred. “Next, we head to Beerwah after Easter. This will be an even greater challenge, but one for which we will definitely be prepared.”
In Men’s Division 1 it was Noosa Pirates v Coolum.
“For us in Pirates,” said head coach Mick Duff, “our Sunday game at Coolum was definitely a hard-fought win. Still down on some troops and receiving some key position injuries early in the game, we hung on and played hard to win.
“Captain Dan Moevao was an inspiration leading from the front. Young halves Jeff McCarthy and Tyson Schafer were fantastic.
Evergreen forward Kris Williams was the difference in the middle with his massive work rate. While we are not as yet putting out our best performance we are building nicely towards our next game, against Beerwah after Easter.”
On a social and somewhat personal side, the DIV 1 Pirates went into battle on the 2 April to play round one of three of the Inaugural Richter-Cavanagh Shield Games. In doing so they were victorious 18-14.
It’s coming home. Regarding the shield Pat Cavanagh is a long- time volunteer not only with the Coolum Colts, but with the greater Coolum community.
The shield honours Pat for his endless hours of time put into the club and the greater community.
Simon, president Coolum Colts- Senior Rugby League said of Sam Richter, “He was an outstanding junior talent coming through the Pirates, but tragically passed away as a young man. The Richter family is a renowned member of the Noosa community.
“The Pirates played a memorial game with his team mates for several years after his passing. It is great to see this tradition live on and Sam and the Richter family acknowledged in this annual shield clash with Coolum.”
President of Noosa Pirates Liam Anlezark said, “This is the first of three games played this season in a State of Origin style: with the winner of each round holding the shield at their clubhouse.
The overall winner after game three will be engraved and retain the shield until 2024. Next clashes are: game two Saturday 10 June (Tewantin) round 9, game three Sunday 6 August Tewantin round 16. Many thanks to the Noosa Trophy & Engraving Centre for sponsoring the Richter-Cavanagh Shield. It is gestures such as this that make our great game one of pride and traditions.
