The active, physical game of our sporting clubs maybe dormant but for a lot of our local clubs the management people are looking to the future: as a result, positive things have been happening and will continue to do so.
The sport of touch football, officially known as the Noosa Touch Association, is a good example.
For club president Hayden Trask and his workers everything is positive; when restrictions are lifted to the level where the physical aspect is once again on track the goals achieved during isolation will certainly be of a massive benefit.
“We worked in conjunction with the Pirates rugby league club and they assisted us in obtaining a grant: this plus the support of the Noosa Shire Council and we were able to install new lights on our fields and upgrade our drainage system.”
With these achievements, this club which can boast a total of 40 clubs, both senior and junior and a total of 41 years of playing the game, they will surely survive the present crises. At present a possible restart time of late July is under discussion.
The Pirates Rugby League Club has also taken advantage of the situation to prepare for the better times ahead. Speaking with a long- time club official the attitude was once again very positive.
“’We have erected a fly over roof out over the entertainment area that faces on to the playing field, thus, making it a good all-weather viewing area for our fans. Our playing field has also been aerated and fertilised.
“But, the best news of all is that this week we will, on Tuesday and Thursday nights start training once again.”
This he emphasised will be done under strict Queensland Rugby League guidelines. (regarding number of players at a given time on the field and time allocated for each session).
WAITING ON SCHOOLS
In Noosa Little Athletics coach Mick Hooper is hoping for possible light training Monday night, but as yet nothing definite.
‘’Our big drawback is the schools,’’ said Mick. “Once something definite is settled with the younger classes returning to school and possible dates set for training and school competition, this will give us something to work on; also, we have to share the field area with soccer; so that will make it difficult.
“However, our main concern is the Noosa Gift. This is a major interstate carnival that we have run for several years. With big prizemoney and local business houses on board as sponsors, we are of course worried, but a big thing in our favour is that the date for the meet is mid -November. With discussions regarding the lifting of more restrictions now under way, November could be a good possibility.’’
LIFEGUARDS IN CONTROL
On the local beach scenes, the patrol flags are still down and the lifeguards still have total control.
A senior lifeguard said: “For us, people have been good: numbers down and the people talk to us regarding the rules. At the bottom end of the Sunshine Coast there has however been a number of rescues; no flags so the swimmers just go in without talking to the guards. So, we ask them, please talk before diving into the surf.”
For our volunteer lifesavers there is however one good bit of news. A perspective date of 6 February has been pencilled in for a surf boat carnival for juniors on Noosa Beach. With a gap of some eight months, this is a big possibility: but again, it would depend on government restrictions and full council discussions and support.
CLUB GOES ONLINE
In martial arts things have been better for students involved in the Sunshine Coast Martial Arts Club. Located on Gibson Road, the club is run by Sensi Bryan Dukas 6th Dan, and staff of Shotokan Karate; a flyer released by the club informs us of the following.
With restrictions, this club is using online platform to train and be trained by instructors from all over the world. Sensi Dukas has had people join his classes from places such as Germany, Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and Scotland as well as many parts of Australia.
Amongst the top on line instructors, is strength and condition coach Jody Young from South Africa. This sensi has been concentrating on strength and speed thus helping students prepare for the re-opening of the tournament season.
It is good to see the positive results that some of our administrators, teachers and athletes are achieving regardless of our present situation.
