By Ron Lane
With this being the year of the Olympics, many a lesser publicised sport, such as athletics, weight lifting and amateur boxing, just to name a few, will start to be mentioned and discussed at home, at work, on the golf course, or in our favourite club.
“With the Olympics now on,” said Noosa’s Little Athletics head coach Mick Hooper, “hopefully, more parents will become aware that their kids, who are winning track events at their little school yard carnivals, should be encouraged to join such clubs as our Little Athletics. There are many opportunities available in our club. It is just a matter of paying us a visit, have a look and a discussion. All families welcome.”
At present, the Noosa club has a group of some 30 athletes in full training. This will prepare them for what looks like being a big year in competition.
“September will be the busy time with both state and national titles to be contested. The next busy period will be November. Noosa club will once again play host to the annual event of the year, The Noosa Gift. This year, because of Covid regulations, we could see a modified program, however, because the event is held in November, it will give all adults involved, (or just visiting with family), time make sure all their health requirements are fully adhered too.”
For our rugby boys at the Ray White Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club, Saturday was certainly a Super Saturday with a try fest staged against the visiting Caloundra club.
Noosa’s club president Donald McKill summed it up beautifully when he said, “The large scoreboard shone brightly in Noosa’s favour at the end of each game. Caloundra had definitely come to play with plenty of solid defence and good line speed. However, it was Noosa’s strong attacking and open rugby that proceeded to be the difference in all four grades.”
The Colts Division saw Noosa home with convincing win 46-7 and the women’s followed with a 36-19 final score, reserve grade followed on with a 66-7 win, thus giving the three lower grades what was possibly their biggest winning margins ever.
”However, in the main game, the A grade, it was indeed a much closer contest with Noosa on top at the final whistle, 29-20.
“All of our Noosa coaching staff should be pleased with the results and total commitment of all teams,” said a very happy president.
The A grade was indeed a very close game, with no points scored until the 23rd minute. This was the result of tight defence out wide from both sides, as well as some very tight rucking. A penalty in front of the Dolphins’ posts, saw Caloundra open the score 3-0, but three minutes later, with Noosa running wide from a scrum, resulted in a try, which was converted 7-3. Caloundra then scored in the corner, unconverted, to give them an 8-7 lead.
However, in the second half Dolphins started to take control and after 10 minutes had achieved a 14-8 lead. Another converted try saw Noosa move away to a 21-8. This was a result of some good rucking from 15 metres out from the visitors’ line. Then a penalty kick for Noosa, followed by a converted try to Caloundra had the game at 24-13 Noosa. Noosa hit back with a good wide move which saw them score in the corner, making it 29-13. Another converted try with minutes to go saw Caloundra close the gap to 29-20.
The club flyer tells us the Noosa Dolphins have managed to secure a home final on 7 August. This will see one and two on the ladder play off with the winner to go straight into the grand final on 21 August.
The club historians tell us this is the 13th year the Dolphins club has sent a team (usually u/15) on a rugby tour. For many of the boys and girls, this has become a rite of passage as they are growing into young adults. Traditionally, the tour travels to New Zealand to play against similar aged players and also take the opportunity to learn about the local culture. However, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, last year’s group and this year’s, will travel to Cairns, so the trip will go ahead. The group will consist of 24 boys, one super girl and four coaches. This will happen during the September school holiday break and they will play two games, the first on Sunday 19 the second on Tuesday 21, both against a FNQ Barbarian side. First game will be in Cairns and the second in Innisfail. They will also take the time to investigate the wonders that tropical North Queensland has to offer. Queensland Rugby, Far North Queensland Rugby, and Noosa Dolphins, are all involved in the tour. They are also working on a reciprocal match to be played at Noosa, in 2022, thus keeping the spirit of rugby alive.
To assist in the raising of funds, they have volunteered to be actively involved in many sporting, musical and festive events within the community. One such project will see them involved in the planting of 800 plants. They have also secured jersey sponsorship; the major being GTs on the River, HP Australia, Noosa Surf Club, Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, Tewantin Noosa RSL, Joyce Mayne and Seasons IGA. Add to these, there are another 13 minor sponsors. These sponsorship transactions are an outstanding contribution to one of our most successful sporting clubs – a gesture in which we should take pride.
This weekend, the Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club will be at home to the Beerwah Rugby League in all four grades. The first game will kick off at 1pm and the main game, at 5.30pm. Apart from an afternoon of good football, it will also be a big occasion, as the Pirates will host an afternoon for the life members, old boys and major sponsors reunion, one that the people and players of the past should not miss. Without them, we would not be here now.
