Rugby League.
Last weekend the Noosa Pirates hosted the annual Richie Johnston Carnival on the football fields at Cooroy. This Gala Day is for all the junior rugby league clubs on the Sunshine Coast and draws about 1300 players from the U6s to U9s age groups.
The day included 280 games played, 5000 players coachers and spectators cheering on the kids, requiring the club to utilize the two main playing fields, soccer fields and cricket grounds, to get all the games played. It couldn’t be done without the help of the 80+ volunteers, which included parents Pirate Club members, and players, both senior and juniors, with staff from NRL, and Dolphins NRL footy club, also helping.
This year had to be one of the best Gala Days ever, and it keeps getting better with the dedicated committee working hard behind the scenes they aim to make this the best junior football Gala Day of any code on the Sunshine Coast. We now look at an around the grounds update on the Senior and International Games played.
It was a mixed weekend for the club. The A Grade men won a hard-fought battle playing at Coolum winning 19-12, thus getting onto the top four on the ladder with two rounds to go. Unfortunately, the rest of the senior games did not go our way. Reserve Grade Men lost 18-10, the open women just couldn’t get there losing 16-14, however they remain 4th on the ladder; and the U19s went down 60-6.
With our Internationals through, it was a great weekend. The U17 boys won 38-4 over Bribie keeping their 3rd place on the ladder, the U17 Girls got their first win of the season up on the board, beating Stanley Rivers/ Beerwah 16-0. These girls give everything they have every weekend, so it was great to see them get a well- deserved win. The U15 boys had a bye, so stayed in 3rd place on the ladder, and the U15 Girls had a comfortable win over Beerwah 56-10; this moved them on to 3rd place on the ladder.
The U14 Boys beat Caloundra 24-10 thus remaining third on the ladder and the U13 Boys continued to win beating Kawana 32-16. Wrapping up Internationals, are the U13 Girls heading full steam ahead beating Beachmere 50-0, and in doing so maintain their undefeated streak of first on the ladder. This gives the Pirates, a clean sweep for the weekend for our Junior International teams: not losing a game during the entire weekend. Two more rounds and the finals begin.
This weekend will be a big one for our Open Women, as the club celebrates ladies’ day on Saturday. Tickets and details for the lady’s day event, are on the Noosa Pirates Facebook Page. The Open Women’s start off the senior game’s activities at 1pm, with the U19s at 2.30pm. Reserve Grade at 4.00pm and A Grade man at 5.30.pm Be there or be square- support your local Pirates.
Outriggers.
While regular competition is in recess for the winter months, Noosa’s Recreational Paddlers held their special competition, proudly sponsored by Bendigo Bank. Based on several disciplines, Noosa best and brightest took to the water to see who would come out on top.
The Platinum Men’s age group, 70 years plus, was the most fiercely contested. It was a tough battle between Dough Hay, Paul Redfern, Bristow and Graeme Turley, in a tight tussle with Mad Mike Innis, coming out on top. Next up were the 60s – 70s, a smaller field with the favourites being Gil Murray, Two Tonne Tommy Talsma, Ross Bennion, Col Jones, Shawn Fi, Mark Adams and Greg Hannelly. In a tight contest the long stroking Talisman hung on.
The females were very hard to split. Gidda Gilbert had a lot to say with Gaye Murphy, Gail King, Di Lowe, Julie Cameron Andrea Bridgewood, Yan Guo, Beth Bennion, Helen Belcher, Kath Webb, Sara Spillane and Rose Toalster, all in with a show. Eventually Suzie came up trumps. A great day’s racing was had by all.
TRIVIA.
There can be no doubt about it. The newly elected club captain for the Noosa Heads SLSC Trevor King, is flashing the biggest smile in town. Reason. A lot of Noosa’s past members are now re-joining the club: so good luck one and all.
The recent success of the Richie Johnston Rugby League Carnival held at Cooroy, attracting some 1300 players from the U6s to U9s, tells us that junior sport is alive and well within our community. In amateur boxing we have the Pee Wees aged 5-12, then there is Martial Arts, with Jiu -Jitsu and Shotokan Karate, starting at age 5 yrs: these plus Little Athletics, swimming and soccer the list goes on and on.
Some grow up to become seniors, winning both state and national titles, with some going on to compete at international level. Those who don’t wear football boots, will in most cases remain unknown. Therefore, the financial burden that lands squarely at the feet of the working-class families (from the world of amateur sport) has to be addressed.
Yet again the formation of a Noosa Sports Federation appears to be the only answer. Who would be willing to attend such a meeting to get things started. We have the athletes, we have the coachers, we have parent support (who at present bear the financial burden) and we have facilities: all we need is a good discussion group, in particular people experienced in such areas as marketing and public relations. If interested give us a call.
