Once again, another young local athlete from the world of martial arts, is showing what good coaching, discipline and attitude can achieve. This time it is young man, Samson Barton, a 16-year-old juvenile blue belt member of the Caza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club: his performance, under the coaching of Professor Yoshi Hasegawa has been outstanding.
Recently in a tournament at the Lake Ainsworth sports center Byron Bay, competing in what is known in the world of Jiu-Jitsu, as the Grappling Industry, he competed in 11 matches for 11 wins and 9 submissions.
The events, consisted of GI Adult blue 77kg, NO GI Adult blue 66kg,and NO GI juvenile blue 61.5kg. Such is the attitude and training of this young man, that he has also started as an assistant coach for the kids’ classes, at Caza Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu club.
This year, plans are for members of Caza Club,to compete in all major tournaments, including Queensland state championships, (Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22,) and the national championships in Melbourne, ( Friday 15th to Sunday 17 August.) so maintaining the present day high standard of coaching will be of the utmost importance.
Grappling Industries, was founded in 2011 in Quebec Canada. At this time competitors in Quebec faced a significant challenge: only one tournament a year was available for the athletes to test their skills. To fill this gap, format Round Robin Tournaments were introduced, ensuring athletes multiple guaranteed matchers within their division: thus, maximizing both their competitive experience and growth.
Today, Grappling Industries, which is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Wrestling Round Robin Tournament, expanded into global leadership,’ hosting over 200 events annually: across Canada, Australia, USA, Latin America, the UK, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Despite the growth, the mission remains unchanged: to develop, encourage and provide inclusive grappling opportunities for athletes, of all levels offering them a premier platform to pursue excellence. With so many of our young people, some 6 and 7 years of age joining martial clubs (with parental support,) the future looks good for all avenues of the arts.
With the attitude to tradition, discipline and social behavior, that is present in all good martial clubs -what could be better?
Outriggers.
With an eye to the Sydney Harbor Challenge, in a couple of weeks and the National Marathon Championship in Mooloolaba in May, Noosa Outriggers sent a strong team to Surfers Paradise to contest the 3rd round of the Club Challenge.
There have been great results for the Noosa Club with wins in the Long Course 16km race for our senior masters mixed team – (Team Bodo) and senior men’s mixed team, and 2nd place to our women’s Senior Masters team. In the Open division Team Hoani, took 3rd and Team Hergity 2nd in the women’s.
Moving to th 8km Short Course, Team Frank won their division in Senior Masters Women and Team Hoani took 2nd place in the Open division:team Michael took the Seniors Masters men’s Short Course. It is good to see the juniors performing well, taking out the Under 16 boys and 2nd in the Under 14 mixed. Noosa Outriggers still have come and try days regularly: anyone interested in taking up the sport of Outrigging, please contact Chris Mitchell on 0407 735 275
Surf Life Saving.
Once again, the Sunshine Beach Club has contested the Sunshine Coast Branch Championships, 11-14 age group, and their results are once again outstanding. Head coach Wes Berg and Nipper coach Jade Berg are second to none.
“It was an exceptional carnival with outstanding results for Sunshine Beach. But what makes us proud is the Sunshine community. The squad we have is full of happy thriving kids: learning and growing in both beach and water every day. They are willing to challenge themselves and become great little athletes: but more importantly, great little human’s beings”
One of the highlights occurred in the U12 girls division, with Sunshine taking gold in every team event and the clean sweep, gold, silver and bronze in every individual event. This was led by Billie Berg with 5 gold, Isabel Czajkowskyj 4 gold 2 silver and Nellie Heffernan a gold plus a collection of silver and bronze medals.
Other exceptional performances came from the U13 age group. Liam Wright continues his winning streak taking out the Ironman and board race as well as medaling in team events, across the board. The entire U13 had an incredible carnival. Despite it being their first championship carnival the U11s, all qualified for the State Titles in March.
But what was the most rewarding moment of the three-day event was the Sunshine Spirit: seeing the Sunshine kids with smiles on their faces, cheering and supporting one another, thus creating “a beautiful culture within the club.”
Sunday saw the beach events with a big Sunshine crew contesting the relays, sprints and flags. Sunshine finished 2nd in the overall points score behind Alexandra Headlands: doing well in the ocean events and continuing to show their strength.
Nipper coach Jade Berg said, “Our branch championships are the best carnival of the season. The kids have been working hard, to watch them shine and celebrate all the work they put in, is the most rewarding part of being a coach. I couldn’t be prouder.”
Seahorse Nippers.
The Noosa Seahorse Program commenced last Saturday morning with about 35 registered participants and 40 lifesaver volunteers from Noosa, Sunshine Beach and Port Douglas surf clubs. Once again condition’s were fantastic, making it great for all involved.
From the head man Steve Mawby, comes an update: “We are looking forward to the second Joint Seahorse Program on Noosa’s Main Beach, Saturday 1st March2025. At this stage we have interest from families attending similar programs at North Burleigh, Dicky Beach, Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headlands as well as Noosa. We will be joined by volunteers from Ellis Beach, Port Douglas, Tanem Sands and Elliot Heads.
We would like to thank the members of Noosa Tewantin Lions Club for their ongoing financial support over many years regarding beach accessibility initiatives, including the Beach Mats and Beach Wheel Chairls. We would also like to thank RACV Noosa and Noosa Tewantin Lions Club for providing visiting Seahorse Families and volunteers with financial support for accommodation at the RACV.
Noosa is a very expensive place to stay and without this generosity it would not be possible to increase this circle of inclusion and accessibility in Life Saving. Well-done to all in our Noosa community.”
John Reeves from Sunshine Beach SLSC is forming a new group of qualified lifesavers who will be volunteering for the joint program at Noosa’s Main Beach on March 1st. We are always looking for volunteers in the joint delivery of the Seahorse Program.
A big hullo to Dawn Fraser who has been a Patron of the Seahorse Program (and the wider Seahorse community) since 2013. We were all saddened to hear of Dawns fall last year. We send our very best wishers for Dawns recovery and progress. Looking forward to seeing you back on the beach soon, particularly Luke!
Also, a big thank you and well done to John Reeves and his team from Sunshine Beach surf club. Neighboring surf clubs working together. That’s what lifesaving is all about.
For those who are thinking of a possible career in the Lifesaving movement feel free to contact Sunshine Beach Surf Club on 5447 5491 or Noosa Club on 5448 0900 to enroll. A truly remarkable lady and proud to say she is a member of our community
