By Ron Lane
Athletics.
It is that time of year again when hopefully, we will have the opportunity to welcome to the Girraween Sporting Complex, the athletic clans of Queensland and Northern NSW. The reason for this will be to see them participate in one of Queensland richest athletic carnival, the Noosa Gift.
For the Noosa Gift, pencilled in for Saturday 21 November 2020, it will be the eleventh year of competition. Unfortunately for the first time ever, the organisers could have to face the possibility of boarder restriction: however, with a time span of some three months to the hoped- for date, the possibility of the easing of restrictions could occur.
Speaking with Head Coach Mick Hooper, he sounded very positive. “This is always a great carnival with top class competition and there has always been a good number of athletes from interstate. One thing I would like to do is to thank all our major sponsors for their loyalty in standing by us in these tough times. It is not just for the Noosa Gift but also Noosa Little Athletics Club.”
For the Noosa Little Athletics, their first competition season will start on Friday night 11 September at the Girraween Sporting Complex. “This year we will be doing things a bit different. This evening will also be a “Come and Try Out,” for the new kids and also our sign on night for the parents: if the new ones are happy, they can also take the time to sign on.”
Since arriving in Noosa in 2004, athletics, in our community has for Head Coach Mick Hooper and wife Val, certainly become a way of life. Apart from club duties, Val is now in her fifth year as a member of the Queensland Board for Little Athletics. Last year in recognition for their service and loyalty both were awarded Life Membership of Noosa Little Athletics: a very high and justly deserved honour.
Netball.
For the ladies of the Noosa Netball Association, situated out on McKinnon Drive Tewantin, the season has definitely had its ups and downs. “For us like many other sports,” said club President Beverly Bullivant, “the outbreak of the COVID19 hit us with a few problems: the major one being having to walk away from our Saturday games. Because of this we dropped about ten teams.” However, the club has stayed positive and kept planning. “All being well by March of next year (2021) we will be back to Saturday games.”
Now the State Championships, a five- day event originally planned for July, will take place during the school holidays, at the end of September and happy to say we will have five teams competing in the 12,13 and 14 age groups. However, the ladies- indoor competition was very successful with Monday night games being held at the Leisure Centre, with young ladies from 14 years up, taking part.
Gymnastics.
Hey Noosa, how many of you have ever heard the names Finlay Jones, Dean Chandler, Kyle Cortner, or Monique Blackmore. I would say at a guess-not many.It is sad but true because these young local people, in their chosen sport, are amongst the finest that Australia has to offer: and their chosen one is the sport of Gymnastics. And their club is the Gymnastics Club at Cooroy.
Situated in the Cooroy Sporting Complex and nestled between the playing fields of the Soccer club and the Possums Rugby League Club, you will find the Cooroy Gymnastic Club. Formed in 1988, when a group of eighteen business houses and private citizens got together, and through their combined efforts, formed the above-named club. Originally located in another area, it was in 1995 shifted to its present location and since then never looked back.
When talking with men’s coach Craig Jones, the pride in achievement comes across loud and clear. “We have a great club: very good committee, great coaching panel and very supportive parents. I think that when you look around, you will see from the achievements of our athlete, right through from club level to national, that it has all been worthwhile.”
The above-named gymnasts are just a few that has helped bring respect to the club. The gym is well equipped and laid out, with something in the vicinity of $3-400,000,of gear: under the supervision of Coaching Co-ordinator Laura Bell-Weeks all training programs (under the coaching panel of 10 male and female) are properly supervised. At present there is a club membership of 347 male and female, ranging from 2-18 yrs.: training is Saturday 8am -3.15, then week days, morning sessions for U/5s, are from 9am—9.45, then 3.30—7.15pm every night, for the older members. The morning session (known as Kinder) is to give the little ones a short session to introduce them to gym life.
However, with all the time, effort and achievements some at national level, it is indeed hard to conceive the lack of sponsorship.
The average person is unaware of the opportunities available to some of the elite. It is not uncommon for senior elite to receive scholarships to private colleges: then there is always the Olympics. At this great Cooroy club anything is possible. We wish them well.
Amateur Boxing.
It was in the year 2005, that Mark Evans built the small shed at the back of his home amongst the gum trees, opened the doors and continued his journey down the road of amateur boxing. Then, in 2018 when Kevin Smith, head coach of Boxing Australia, visited this small gym he found it hard to understand that this was indeed, the top amateur boxing club in Australia. “ I entered and standing next to the ring ,I had the answer: you could just feel the energy. Despite the fact that the club was disciplined, the atmosphere in the club was fantastic: everyone was working out, going hard and away from the ring, leaning up against the walls, a small group of parents looked on.” Impact Boxing Academy had achieved its goal.
When it came time to pick a name, Mark chose Impact Boxing Academy because as he said, “I wanted to create a club that would make an impact within our community: an impact not just by teaching self-defence but also, self-discipline, good manners and above all respect for others. Then there was the club motto, that was easy: Working in the Community for the Community.” Now after all the years and hard work, the gym will be shifting from its home amongst the gum trees off Blueberry Drive, into the township of Cooroy: all being well, in mid-September. After 15 yrs. in the bush we are all very excited about the new premises. During those years, the community support has been fantastic and I can’t thank them enough”
In the mean time the gym has, after an eight– week shut down, reopened: under very strict government regulations, some twenty club members are training, 4.30-7 pm each night. “On August 15 a tournament was held in Brisbane: boxing again under strict control. There was a total of twenty-two bouts, no spectators, just the coaches and trainers: it was a case of fight and leave. Very strange, but it worked,” said Mark.
Once again, the support of our community for their various sporting organisations, has been noted and publicly acknowledged by the coaches and administrators. It is this attitude that will no doubt see us through these tough times.
Pickleball.
With a further push to promote this great new game, the Noosa Tennis Club with the support of the Noosa Pickleball Club, will host a Tennis Players vs Pickleball Players Come and Try afternoon at the Noosa Tennis Club on Friday 11 September from 4.30-9pm.This is a free night for all and open invitation for people interested. The bar will be open and a barbecue and nibbles will be available: a fun night for all players is assured. “Family Friendly and Fun to Play.” A new sport that is growing fast.
