Athletics.
Last weekend saw 14 Noosa Little Athletics members travel to Bundaberg for the annual Little Athletics Queensland Spring Carnival: and once again Life Member and Level 4 High Performance Coach Noosa Athletics Michael Hooper was the man in charge.
“With it being at the start of the school holidays it is always a popular carnival,” said Coach Hooper. There were 52 clubs from all around Queensland battling it out in the first statewide competition of the season. Our small team of Noosa athletes did a remarkable job to finish in 12th place allover with 21 medals, as well as lots of personal best and top 8 finalists.
This has been a great start to the summer season and coach Hooper thanked all the athletes for their tremendous performances, competing against some of Queensland’s finest. As a result, a special mention went to Noosa’s gold medal winners, Marcus Kaliatzoglou U15 200m sprint and long jump, Hugo Melynk U13 800m and 1500m and Zachary Nielsen U12 80m hurdle.
The recent Tokyo World Athletics Championships, with excellent free-to-air TV coverage, were a significant boost for track and field. The Australian team finished with four medals and nine top 8 top performances to finish 13th overall. It was good to see the Aussies competitive across so many different events.
Nicola Olyslagers won gold in the High Jump, Mackenzie Little bronze in Javelin, Jessica Hull bronze in the 1500m. She also made the 800m final, in the process breaking the Australian and Oceanic records. Kurtis Marschall won bronze in the pole vault, in an amazing contest which saw Swedish athlete Mondo Duplantis, break the World Record jumping over 3.60m.
The future looks bright for Australian Athletics, with three athletes that competed in last year’sU20 World Championships stepping up to the senior level and qualifying through to semifinals. Young sprint star Torrie Lewis (100and 200m) with new Australian 100m record of 11.08 seconds, Gout Gout, 200m and Claudia Hollingsworth 1500m: all these will be hopefully in their prime for the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.
The effectiveness of the media coverage of these games should be fully recognised and utilised- in all applicable contexts. The Olympic Games are the pinnacle for our athletes. With Brisbane still seven years away, we should make full use of the experience gained at the recent Tokyo World Titles.
Rugby League.
Last Saturday evening at 6pm we witnessed a gathering of the clan: in this instance the clan was the Mighty Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club and the occasion ws to celebrate their Annual Awards and Presentation of Trophies. To say that it was a success would have to be an understatement: held at Noosa’s Pirate Park it was standing room only.
With three senior teams—the A grade men’s, Open Women’s, and Reserve grade—reaching the finals, club secretary Tim Buger noted there was much to be proud of and celebrate in the positive atmosphere. Members were already making rumbles for next season. Celebrating an Outstanding Season On and Off the Field.
A GRADE MEN
The A Grade side had a standout season, not only reaching the semi-finals but also producing some of the top individual performances in the Sunshine Coast competition. Patty McGinn led the way with a stellar year, taking home a few of the awards:
• Best Back
• Best and Fairest
• Noosa Pirates Senior Player of the Year
• Sunshine Coast A Grade Top Try Scorer
• Sunshine Coast A Grade Top Point Scorer
McGinn’s dominance on the field set the tone for the team all year, and his achievements place him firmly among the top players in the region.
Other A Grade award winners included:
• Dyllan Cousens – Best Forward
• Jackson Ricotta – Coaches Award
• Harry Dwyer – Players Player
• Ashar Buckman – Rookie of the Year
OPEN WOMEN
The Open Women’s team also reached the semi-finals, continuing to build on the success of their growing program. Their awards highlighted some incredible talent and leadership within the squad:
• Kaylee Pollard – Best Back
• Hannah Pravis – Best Forward
• Deena Budby – Players Player
• Georgia Younger – Coaches Award
• Allyce Garrett – Best and Fairest
RESERVE GRADE
Reserve Grade had a Good year, also making it to the semi-finals and showing the depth of talent within the club. Their 2025 award winners were:
• Lucas Palmer – Best Back
• Zane O’Grady – Best Forward
• Sam Dwyer – Coaches Award
• Zane Embleton – Players Player
• Jake Bullen – Best and Fairest
C GRADE
C Grade showed grit and growth throughout the season.
Their award winners included:
• Jed Bullman – Best Back & Players Player
• Charlie Burton – Best Forward
• Jackson Roffey – Coaches Award
• Tama Stansfield – Best and Fairest
UNDER 19s
The U19s were well represented this season, with Joh Dwyer leading the way as:
• Best Forward
• Rod McAskill Award Winner – Best Young Forward at the Club
• *Runner-Up – Sunshine Coast U19 Best and Fairest
Other U19s award winners included:
• Louie Griffen – Best Back & Players Player
• Ben Graf – Coaches Award
• Oliver Humphrys – Best and Fairest
SPECIAL AWARDS & CLUB HONOURS
A few special honours were also presented on the night:
• Sam Juster – O’Grady Medal (Pirate of the Year)
• Lachie Debnam – Supporter of the Year
• Liam Anlezark – Life Member Inductee
These awards recognise the heart and soul of the club – the people who contribute tirelessly both on and off the field. These three awards should be looked upon as the most converted of all.
THANK YOU TO OUR COACHES, VOLUNTEERS & COMMITTEE
A huge thank you goes to the hardworking Noosa Pirates Committee, and all of the volunteers, coaches, staff, and supporters who dedicate their time and passion to making the Pirates the best club in Noosa. Without your tireless efforts behind the scenes, none of these achievements would be possible.
Here’s to another unforgettable season — and to an even bigger 2026! Go the Pirates.
Other sports.
As we go to press two other sports, amateur boxing and Shotokan karate are representing our state and community. In the sport of boxing, Australian coach Mark Evans of Team Impact Cooroy, currently has one of his athletes, Skye Winehart, representing the state in the upcoming Australian Titles to be held in Darwin. In Karate Noosa, head sensei (coach) Bryan Dukas is taking a small team to contest the World Shotokan Karate Federation Championships in Tokyo. We extend our best wishes to coaches Mark Evans and Bryan Dukas, as well as all team members, for their continued success.
