By Ron Lane
The fact that Noosas Lana Rogers, winner of Australian Nutri Grain Iron Woman Championship and the Coolangatta Gold, was able to maintain a positive attitude during the early months of the Covid 19 outbreak speaks volumes for her coaching panel, family and support group.
Her coach/mentor Sharlene Kelly, is fast getting a reputation amongst surf club coaches that is second to none. Her ability, to not only write but also action a brilliant training program, is the envy of a lot of people. Add to this, the support of specialist board coach veteran Clint Irwin and swim coach Brian Stehr and you have a coaching team that is the envy of many a budding athlete.
Then, to add the strawberries to the cream cake, you have that group that stands silently in the background of every good surf club, the GOM Squad (Grumpy Old Men). Made up of old boys and some life members, these are the members who, having been through the hard times appreciate and respect the likes of the Rogers’ crew.
In a club like Noosa Heads, that for many years went unrecognised in the world of surf sports, you can be assured that the above mentioned, will be prepared to assist where possible, not only the Rogers crew, but also the likes of the boat section, the first aid team and the other young guns and coaches, on their way up.
On Saturday at Alexandra Headlands, Lana Rogers took part in her first carnival of the season when she contested the Queensland Endurance Championships. With a good role up of clubs from all over the coast, the standard of competition was very high and for Lana, who entered three events,10k ski, 4kl board and 2kl swim the results could not be better: winning the gold in all three. Team mate Electra Outram finished 3rd in the board and 5th in the ski.
‘’I was very happy with the results. Despite all the cancellations and everything else, I still maintained a good positive attitude. From last experiences I am very confident in what I am doing and know what to expect. I am now well aware of what lays ahead and what is needed to achieve good results. Some of the dates are now being announced and the first leg of the Nutri Grain is now set down for the weekend of 19/20 December. The beach is Kingscliffe and I am very much looking forward to it.”
To maintain her level of fitness for such tough events, Lana’s program is a 6-day week, with 3 to 4 sessions a day. We wish this young lady all the best for the season ahead.
Another date on the drawing board is 24 October: this is hopefully the date of the Alexandria Headlands Mini Coolangatta Gold, a race conducted over a distance of 16kl. This race will be just a part of a big weekend for Alex: there will be a big skating competition in the local arena as well as gymnastic displays.
Pickleball.
For those of you who are wondering if this new sport of Pickleball is starting to take hold, a recent flyer released by the Noosa Club, tells us that there is now a large number of people travelling 50-100k three times a week to play in Noosa: let’s hope it keeps up.
In late September, 18 members of the Noosa Club travelled to the Sleeman Sports Complex in Brisbane to take part in the 2nd Brisbane Open Competition. The tournament was conducted over the 26-27 of September and it was noted, that more players are being coached and more are seeking tournament games: this is resulting in a higher standard of play. Of the 156 players it was noted that the majority came from south east Queensland.
For the Noosa Club it was a good result with 8 doubles teams( in the mens, women’s and mixed divisions) coming home with medals. All the teams were competitive, with most reaching at least the semi-finals
Ros Smart and Christine Murphy Women’s 60+ Intermediate Gold, Ron Gatliff and Ken Solomons 60+ Intermediate Gold, Glenice Ault and Bruce Winther, Mixed 19+Open Advanced Silver, Yuki Colthurst and Ron Gatliff Mixed 50+ Intermediate Gold, Miriam Brace and Vinh Truong (Brisbane Pickleball Club) Mixed 50+Intermediate Silver, John Murphy and Christine Murphy Mixed 60 + Intermediate Gold.
Like a lot of other sports, Pickleball received a major setback when the Australian National Championships had to be cancelled because of Covid-19.However, the Queensland Open Tournament is going ahead as scheduled: the 27/28/29 November. With more players receiving coaching and the standard improving, the major tournaments are becoming good to watch.
On 10 October the Noosa Club is hosting a one- day tournament at the Noosa Leisure Centre to celebrate World Pickleball Day. For those of you who are interested and curious to see the sport first hand, this would be a good day to ‘’Go and Look.’’ Once players get a taste for the game, they want to see the sport grow, not just locally, but right throughout the land.
Spokesperson for the Noosa club Christine Murphy said, “We need more dedicated courts to be built in Noosa to attract and retain players of all age generations.’’ Further to this it was stated: Pickleball tourism is growing worldwide and Noosa is an ideal location to host international visitors for two tournaments a year. The lack of dedicated courts in the Sunshine Coast hampers the growth of the sport in our region; tourism bodies please take note: remember the old saying, “Sport puts Bums on Seats.’’
According to the World Pickleball Day 10. 10. 20. flyer, some of the side benefits to note are: easy to learn, inexpensive, socially inclusive, great exercise, now an international game and above all, a game for older players (the retired age group.) It doesn’t cost to look.
Football
In every football club there is always two major components. First and foremost is of course the game itself: a game they play, to not only win but also entertain the community. When the game is over and the cheering stops, they go back to being not just part of the community, but in some cases, they become major contributors.
From the local AFL people, there has been an outstanding donation of club premises, time and effort in their fight to improve Men’s Health (fight against prostate cancer) a fight that the community supports by their attendance at a yearly fundraising function. Just a short distance away at the Dolphins Rugby Club, a senior player, Sam Koning, (with the club also playing host) some months ago, organised and conducted a massive fund– raising event. All funds raised, $32,000, were donated to our local Volunteer Fire Fighters. Well done to Sam and his club.
Now over at Pirate Park Tewantin the home of Rugby League, the club is about to undertake a major rebuilding project. Known as “Regen Noosa,” it will not only expand and upgrade the surrounds, but in doing so, will provide a facility for our community with something for everyone,(not just rugby league) from the kids to the senior citizens. And also, the end result could provide an establishment, that would be there to assist in our future times of need.
