By Ron Lane
On Saturday morning the biggest sporting event to be held in Queensland this year, the Queensland State Age Netball Championships, will commence at the Fishermans Road Complex Maroochydore. With age groups competing from 12 to 15, our Noosa District Netball Association will be represented by five teams playing in the 12 to 14 age group and with teams coming from Cains to the State border it is sure to be of high standard.
“With teams coming from various Netball Associations throughout the state, we can understand why it will be a major event,” said Noosa President Bev Bullivant. “Like all other sporting clubs, we are hoping that all the present regulations will stand and no more alterations will occur. As a result of changing competition times we have dropped this year to 600 players as opposed to last years 1000.”
So far this season the club has definitely been through some tough times. They had to cancel Season One of the ladies’ competition and postpone the junior competition from March to the beginning of August: their games are played on Thursday night to avoid the heat. This will continue till mid- November.
“However, on the bright side all coaches and officials are still in attendance and we still have our sponsors: I cannot thank these people enough”
Saturday morning at 9.10.will indeed be a morning that seventeen fathers from our community will remember for a long time to come. It was on this occasion that their young sons and daughters insisted that they accompany them to a special Fathers- Day celebration: a celebration that was indeed different. For this one they were required to accompany them to their Sunshine Coast Martial Arts Club and take part in a Father and Child training session in the dojo.
This event, was the brain child of Owner/Chief Instructor Bryan Dukas 6 th Dan. “The idea was to give the dads a good opportunity to not only spend the day together but also to enable them to see for themselves exactly just what their children were learning.” It all started immediately on entering the Dojo. Dad had been informed in no uncertain ways, the he must bow with his son or daughter, as a sign of respect. This done, in bare feet, they stepped onto the training mat where they met Sensei Bryan Dukes.
This was followed by a welcome. During this, he explained the importance of the father child relationship. During my boyhood I lived in South Africa where I started karate and commenced training with my father who was a sensei (teacher). Despite now living in Australia, whenever he visits my family, I am proud to say that we still train together.” He then explained the morning schedule.
After a warm up of jumping and stretching, their siblings would demonstrate kicks, punches blocks and Katas. On completion, these moves would be repeated: only this time dad had to join in : you could be assured that if he did it wrong that cute little ten- year- old, would not only tell him, but also make him do it again. Also, on some occasions ten push ups would be added for punishment.
Use of punching pads were demonstrated with kicks and punches: then the children, standing in lines facing dad, demonstrated their favourite kata. On completion these were also repeated and as prior, dad followed, with the little one watching over their shoulder. At the completion of the morning session the smiles and laughter from both dads and children said it all. To close it off Sensei Dukas called, “What about a big hug for dad?” With that seventeen little siblings charged across the mat threw themselves into dads’ arms and delivered the request.
With regard to the mornings activity one father named Chris, it was great . Good to see the other fathers here with their kids.” Another dad, Ryan, said, “Very good, very entertaining. These last few months have been very tough, so to get together like this was just great.”
For Sensi Bryan Dukes and his team at Sunshine Coastal Martial Arts, they are to be congratulated. There should be more events such as this, where mums and dads can not only watch, but also take part.
On Friday night our people in Noosa’s Little Athletics, conducted their first meeting of the season with a club competition at Girraween Sports Complex. Their season goes from September through to March the following year. The Little Athletics caters for members 5-16 and the senior division 13 to opens: for membership you can register on line.
‘’Our first night saw athletes from u/6 to u/17 and opens take part, and for our first night it was a good role up,” said senior coach,” Mick Hooper. “Now the soccer season is coming to the end more oval space will be available. Having to share with soccer sometimes leaves us with limited space. Regarding our big event of the year, the Noosa Gift, 21 November is still on the drawing board. We are hoping that by then, the border restrictions will be changed and this will allow athletes to come up from northern NSW.”We wish them well.
The surf sports side of the Surf Life Saving Association is still very much up in the air. However, in the boat section their first carnival of the season,31 October, will see a possible 70 crews assemble at Biggera. This carnival will be the first of three major carnivals and these will be the lead up, to Queensland selection for interstate competition. “Noosa is again looking good. At present we have some 15 crews in training and if health regulations permit, it should be a top season,” said boat sweep/coach David Tomba.
On the surf lifesaving side, which is the core business, the weekend patrols are once again back under control of the surf lifesaving clubs, Noosa, Sunshine and Peregian: the red and yellow flagged areas are again patrolled by your local clubbies.
Weekend patrols at all three beaches went well , with a few minor rescues: however, a major first aid case occurred on Sunday afternoon at Noosa. This required emergency hospital attention. Saturday morning Noosa Lifeguard Isaac Smith and five Noosa lifesavers, boarded the ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) for an advanced training run through the National Park. “This was to familiarise the clubbies with all aspects of the Park: tracks in and out and in particular the radio dead spots. This is extremely important as in an emergency, radio communication can be the difference between life and death.’’ said Isaac.
With Covid 19 being what it is, all our clubs have been concerned about our people: loss of athletes, staff and most important of all– their health. With the ever- growing importance of the role of supporter clubs in both sport and lifesaving, keeping good staff is vital. One such club which has come out on top is the Surf Club at Noosa.
All are still on board, and as someone who has had a long connection with this club, the answer to why, is simple. The good, caring, long serving, hardworking management shown by the late John Little, Chairman Ian Young, Treasurer Wally Schaller and General Manager Anton Mogg, is your answer. With Little, Young and Schaller being there right from the very start (in the little old clubhouse) and with Moggie joining a short time later, the quite achievers were formed. And they are there to stay. Also, proud to say that a lot of monies raised went back into the community, clubs and organisations. It’s not just for lifesaving.
