Ron Lane
At the recent North Australian Surf Lifesaving Titles held at Mackay, the Noosa club was represented by four boat crews: two women’s, the Bandits reserve grade, and the Sparrows U/19, and two men’s, the Condors, masters and the Peacocks u/19. Sweeping the crews were sweep and head coach, Mick Gardner and Stewart Cooper.
‘’For us, it was a great result and good start for the season. All of our crews won their races and with the surf conditions being very flat, it gave us a good indication as to their early season fitness,” said coach Gardner.
With boat crews travelling from Currumbin, Mooloolaba, Dicky Beach and Noosa, all agreed that despite the nine-hour drive, it was a great start to the season. Speaking on behalf of the Noosa team boat captain Anthony Fox remarked, “Apart from the early season hit out, the really good point was the support that our boat crews from down south showed the boating fraternity here in North Queensland. They are very isolated up here so our support for boat racing is of the most importance.’’
As a result of Noosa winning the overall point score for the boat section, they were awarded the Gold Cup. Definitely a good start for the season.
Next weekend, it will be Noosa’s turn to host a two-day boat carnival and this will be held at Main Beach in front of the Noosa Club. Saturday will be the Youth Junior Carnival for the U/19 and U/23s. Sunday will be an open carnival for everyone: the opens, reserves, u19 and u/23s and as this is round one of the Queensland Cup the results go towards the state selection. With this being a major carnival of the boat season, and gratefully, once again sponsored by Richardson and Wrench of Noosa, a big day with plenty action and good racing is assured. The first race goes off at 8.30am.
Also, we should give a big warm Noosa welcome to the girls’ u/19 crew, the Yeppoon Yahoos. All being well they will drive down from Yeppoon, and rowing for Noosa, will take part in the carnival, down and back a round trip of 19 hours. We wish them well.
The Coolangatta Gold
After last year’s cancellation of the 2020 Coolangatta Gold, this Sunday at 7.30 am we will once again see our finest iron men and women gather on the sands to contest the Coolangatta Gold for 2021. However, this year there will be a slight change in the course, with all legs of the event starting and finishing at Coolangatta.
Speaking of this, coach Sharlene Kelly who guided Lana Rogers to win the last Gold said, “We are all very excited to be back after a lapse of two years, and I think the new course will be fantastic for spectators.”
In preparation for the event, Rogers has been on a 24-week, gold pre-deason training program.
“I am really looking forward to this,” said Lana. “It has been a long journey, two years in the making, but now it’s happening – it is very exciting.” Good luck to Lana and her team.
The Noosa Club will be taking one of their biggest teams ever to contest the Coolangatta Gold. Head coach Darren Mercer, a legendary figure in this event, was full of confidence and looking toward a big season.
“This is a really big squad and perhaps the really good aspect is that we will be competing at all levels from the u/17s right through to the masters.”
A pleasing aspect of the Noosa team is the number of youth coming through the ranks: u/17s, u/19s both male and female. With these young competitors competing in both individual and team events in the Short Course program, the experience gained will be invaluable. The future is looking good.
For the Sunshine Beach SLSC, Sunday’s event will certainly be a big occasion for U/19 competitor, Sam O’Connor. Sam who has just turned 18 will be competing in his first ever U/19 Coolangatta Gold Short Course event. “Sam will be up against some of the best young iron men on the coast and this will be a good test. Some of the great iron man legends, started their career in this event and have gone on too very successful careers.: it will definitely be a great experience,” said Head Coach Josh Minogue.
The Sunshine beach team got their club off to a good start for the season, when they competed in the recent Queensland Beach (events) Series for junior and senior competitors at Mooloolaba. The overall points tally saw Sunshine finish in third place.
“This was an outstanding result and we congratulate beach coach Pauline Gleeson and her assistant Alice Jones. The highlight for us was winning the bronze medal in the final of the all-age relay, U/11 to U/15. This was the first ever medal in this event,” said Minogue.
Rugby
For those who have no plans for the weekend, the Dolphin oval, home of the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club, will definitely be the place to go.
Why? The answer is simple. At the weekend, the Dolphins Rugby Union Club will play host to the long-awaited Queensland State 7s Rugby tournament. In the words of club President Donald McKill, ‘’The oval will host some of the best Rugby’s 7s talent both in the men’s and women’s category.
The Queensland State 7s is a combination of prem clubs from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Central Queensland and a Stingray select side which is representing all the clubs here on the Sunshine Coast. The game is fast, open, entertaining and if you have never watched, take the opportunity come down and see this event. We feel you won’t be disappointed. Also on display for the non- rugby supporter is a craft beer festival full of local product.’ If we can’t whet your love for the game, we will certainly wet your whistle.
On Saturday, you will be entertained by the live music of Tess Fapani and Brad Schultz and on Sunday, Rennie Field and Sexual (you gotta be kidding) Chocolate. This is a club that down through the years has not only promoted the game of rugby, but also taken big steps to promote our town as a friendly, entertaining and sporting tourist resort. The visit from such as the British Lions Touring Rugby Union team and the Melbourne Storm Rugby League squad, just to mention a few, speaks for itself. Your attendance at this carnival of rugby would be a nice way to say thanks to this great rugby club for their contribution to our community.
