By Ron Lane
With the Dolphins Rugby Union club endeavouring to keep a positive and successful attitude, several new factors have entered the club. During discussions with club President Donald McKill, he was happy to announce that for the forthcoming season training for all senior grades, men and women has started. “Not only has the season started but also the turnout of players was good: over 75 players in attendance, with more members about to sign up. “
This season the A grade will train under new coach Matt Buckland, who has taken over from last year’s premiership winning coach Mick Phelan.With an incredible record of 6 premierships to his credit, Mick decided it was time to have a break from the hustle and bustle that is part of being an A grade coach. I am sure that all involved with Dolphins will wish this highly respected gentleman, all the best.
Buchland, who hails from the Randwick club in Sydney, will bring plenty of experience and above all, the attitude, that despite an incredible record of premiership wins, the club must keep an open mind regarding the approach to the game.
With him will be new recruits and amongst them, former Wallaby winger Rod Davies. Davies at age 31, has just returned from a stint in Japan and is calling time on his full-on professional career, during which he played for the Queensland Reds and the Australian 7’s. Davis, who hails from Rockhampton, is now settled in Peregian and is looking forward to a season on the Sunshine Coast. New recruits will include Harley Fox of Ipswich, who plays in the back row and Joesfa Lalabalavu from Fiji, a centre /fullback.
‘’Our season is looking good.I would like to take this opputunity to acknowledge that Ray White Noosa Dolphins, will once again be major sponsor for the club.’’said President Donald McKill.
Over the other side of town at Pirate Park, the Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club senior teams, are back in training: all being well the junior teams will commence in mid to late February. For the seniors, they will have two games in February, one away against Murwillumbah Giants and a home game against Toowoomba Souths.
“At present we are conducting a membership drive for players in Divisions 1 and 2, as well as u/18s and open women. All players are welcome.” said club C.E.O.and Coaching Director Brett Winkler. Also, club officials are only too happy to meet with perspective sponsors and family groups who have a love of the game. In other words, anyone interested in becoming part of the Pirate team.
It was back in September 2019, that both the senior and junior clubs, elected to merge and become one united club with their headquarters in Tewantin. Since then, despite Covid-19, the club has not looked back and hopefully this season will be no different.
In the world of track and field, the Noosa Little Athletics are preparing for their regular championships in February, with the top four athletes, qualifying for the state titles. These will to be held in Brisbane late March, all going well. “In the meantime, training schedules are being conducted as normal, with Friday night competition back on the agender: we are still holding high hopes for our big event, the annual Noosa Gift which is always run, in late November,” said coach Mick Hooper. Also, I think that it is time for a big vote of thanks for Val, wife of Coach Hooper, who for several years, has now held a chair on the Queensland Board of Little Athletics. It is devoted people such as these, who play a major role in the success of their chosen sport. Well done to both Val and Mick and all the other unsung people of Little Athletics.
Once again, not to be forgotten are the sponsors in all our local sporting clubs, people who have stood by their clubs in these trying times. If they had chosen to walk away, many of our young athletics, would indeed be in trouble.
If we talk about our unsung champions in competition, there would not be a better example than those who choose to compete in the champion lifesaver and the champion patrol competition, in the Surf Life Saving Association, at Branch State and National Level. At the weekend, members of two local clubs Noosa Heads and Sunshine Beach, did just that: not only did they compete but they returned to their clubs with a good medal count.
For Sunshine Beach they won 3 medals (2gold and 1 silver); for Noosa, a much bigger club with a large competition team, their tally was 12 medals (6 gold 4 silver and 2 bronze):with Noosa once again very successful in first aid, winning a total of 7medals. The other events in which they competed, were champion lifesaver and patrol competition. The high medal tally in first aid, once again reflects on Noosa’s legendary coach Lenore Grice and her support team.
For Sunshine, it was 1gold 1 silver for champion lifesaver and, 1 gold for patrol competition. Noosa it was 1gold 1 silver 1 bronze for champion lifesaver and 1 gold 1 silver for patrol competition. Contestants who win gold or silver medals (1st & 2nd) qualify to go on to represent the Sunshine Coast Branch (and their club) at the state titles later in the season.
When we break it down and look at our core business, lifesaving, (patrol and lifesaver standards) the smaller club Sunshine, won 3 medals and Noosa the bigger club 5: it tends to gives us a better indication of the significance of the result.
Like many of our local clubs the Cooroy Gymnastic Club, has survived the virus and is looking forward to the new year. Laura Bell, club coordinator said, “All is going well. Our coaches have been attending advanced training courses in Brisbane and on return have continued with internal club training. During the holidays we have been running Holiday Programs: normal classes will resume on Monday 25 January at 3.30pm.” We wish them well for the times ahead.
