Rugby League
Interesting to note that at present time two of our football codes Rugby and NRL are performing well in the junior ranks. In the Noosa Pirates Rugby League, the senior grades are having a tough time. However, the junior teams from U13- U17 are performing satisfactorily.
Now referred to as the Junior Internationals this is when the teams are officially having their games scored and have final series and their own Grand Final in each age group. Noosa currently have teams in the U13 Boys, U13 Girls, U14 Boys, U15 Boys, U15 Girls, U17 Boys and U17 Girls.
The Boys division for example, go up every year: U13, U14, U15, U16 and U 17; whereas the Girls go up every two years, U13, U15 and U17. This year is the first time that there is an U11 Girls division: and all indications are that the Girls U11 is growing rapidly. From U6-U10 Boys, and Girls play on the same team.
Rugby Union.
From over the other side of town, a flyer from the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Tash Ramsden, tells us they are very busy continuing their development of their young Rugby players. The U15s New Zealand Rugby Tour, A Right of Passage for Junior Dolphins, is now in its 21st year. This tour has become a proud tradition of the Noos Dolphins Club and a cornerstone of their Junior Dolphins Program.
More than just a rugby trip, the Right of Passage Tour is a year-long journey that builds character, resilience and lifelong friendships. It challengers our players to step up and grow through a series of experiences that takes them well beyond the rugby field.
A key part of the journey involves players taking responsibility for fundraising through hands-on work in the local community. From sausage sizzles and raffles to labouring at events and helping local businesses the boys put in the hard yards to help fund their own tour. These efforts not only teach the value of commitment and teamwork but also strengthen their connection to the broader Noosa community.
Through the shared values of hard work and the pride in representing, the Dolphins Junior Players, deepen their love for the game, their teammates, and their broader community.
“Many look back on the tour as a defining milestone in both their sporting and personal development. We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of local businesses and organisations, including the Noosa Surf Club, Noosa Tewantin Club, and Tewantin Noosa RSL, whose generous sponsorship helps make this program possible,” Scott Cains, Junior Dolphins president said.
This year another massive step forward for the Youth of Our Community, also comes from the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Club. It comes in the form of the Girls Rugby 7s program. This presents an excellent opportunity for young female players to enhance their skills in the fast-paced, high-energy format of Rugby Sevens.
The programs led by experienced coachers, Tess Evans and Georgie Daniells, both of whom play in the Senior Women’s Team, bring with them a wealth of knowledge from their coaching experience in the Brisbane Junior Rugby competition: and with intergenerational players, coming through the club the Noosa Dolphins family becomes truly united.
‘’From juniors running water and being ball boys for A grade, to seniors joining U10s for training sessions, our club values of respect inspiration and connection are evident across the fields: making us a source of pride for Noosa.’’
Next week we learn more of the past and future of the proud Noosa Dolphins Rugby Union Club. Until then, Swim the Fins.
Martial arts.
When we talk about the importance of our youth in sport, in particular where the parents can become involved at a very young age, the sport of Jiu-Jitsu is setting the trend.
In discussion with Head Sensei Yoshi Hasegawa, of the Caza Jiu -Jitsu Club he said the kid’s classes are 2 to 12 years with roughly 120 kids
“The 2-4-year-olds is a parents and kids class, (Sat. 9-9.30am) so they get to partner with mum or dad. Once over 12 they become teenagers and can join in with main adult classes,” he said. In a time when a percentage of our youth is out of control, a good firm relationship with mums or dads from a young age, is without a doubt, of the utmost importance.
In the year 1891 when that great Australian Henry Lawson wrote in his poem ‘The Helpless Mothers,’ he stated, “The son goes down through the gates of hell, By the father left ajar.” Were these words of warning, for parents to become more alert in the world of father son relationship: or above all are they just existing without a purpose? Is the youth of today who is, Living without a purpose! – nothing but an empty shell? But then, the empty shell becomes a vessel for violent crime.
In the sport of Shotokan Karate another of our youth, 17-year-old Sophie Innis is going gang busters. This young lady has recently returned from New Caledonia where while representing Australia, she competed in the Oceania Karate Championships: winning the gold medal in the kumite division. This win brings Sophie’s WKF (World Karate Federation) rankings up to 18th in the world. This is a massive achievement and one of the highest amongst Australian Karate-ka
Training under Bryan Dukas Black Belt 6th Dan Head Sensei of Karate Noosa, she started her career at 7 years-of-age. Prior to her success in New Caledonia Sophia, had also won gold in the Open at both the South Australia and Queensland Championships. “Her achievements,” said Sensei Dukas, “are the results of consistent and dedicated hard work: never even missing a training session.”
Pickleball
Good news from the Pickleball club. From club spokesperson Ron Gatliff comes the word that the club will be well represented at the upcoming Queensland State Championships. The tournament which will be held from 1-8 July will be contested in Morayfield.
With players coming from all over Australia, New Zealand and some overseas, a record number of 629 participants have registered: this is without a doubt a good indication as to the growth of the sport throughout the country. Noosa Pickleball Club now one of the largest clubs in Australia, has over 30 members, keen to contest these prestigious state titles.
Understandably, the two Pickleball courts in Tewantin are being used constantly and with the increased number of people now playing the sport in Noosa, (estimated to be over 700) it is becoming very clear that these two courts and this shared venue, when available, is in constant demand.
“We wish our club members the best of luck in the tournament,” said spokesperson Ron Gatliff. “We will definitely publish results and photos from the tournament.”
For those of you who are interested in this fun sport the club holds, “Come and Try” sessions most Sundays and for this, all equipment will be supplied. For more information and to book a session simply contact the Pickleball Club.
Rugby League
With the school holidays upon them, Pirates just had Senior actions on the weekend with most playing down at Kawana. For the A Grade man, it was a great weekend with a 34-14 win: this helped them into the top 4 on the ladder. The Reserve grade men, after a close first half couldn’t hold the pace and finished up losing 34-10. The Open Women had a great game shutting down their opposition 26-0. Unfortunately, the U19s couldn’t cross the line in their game, going down 46-0.
The C grade men played down in Beachmere taking on Palmwoods. Again, another tight battle but our men just couldn’t hang on and let in a late try to go down 24-20. This weekend is again quiet with just the A Grade, Reserve grade and Open women splaying down in Maroochydore on Sunday, starting at 12pm. The C grade and the U19 men have a bye.
“There is no Junior action again with the kids on school holidays, so they will not resume playing till 11 July.”
