Ron Lane
Boxing.
For Cooroy’s, Team Impact Amateur Boxing club, the latest news is all good. The club will this week, turn all its attention to hosting the Sunshine Coast Regional Championships. The tournament will be held this Saturday: and after several years of doing so, this one will be the biggest ever. The tournament which will be held at the Noosa District High School,10am start.
The reason for this early start is because the entries have broken all records, with a total of 70 pre-matched amateur bouts scheduled. “This will be the biggest tournament ever held on the Sunshine Coast. We have boxers from all over Queensland and Australia in attendance. Team Impact will have 14 of our amateur super stars competing. All the team have been training the house down and are ready to go. This event is a family friendly event and one not be missed,” said Coach Mark Evans.
This is an annual tournament and has been going successfully for several years: and as such coach Evans once again expresses his sincere thanks and gratitude to the Noosa District High School for their support.
Making an appearance in the professional ranks, Team Impact on Saturday, travelled to Launceston Tasmania taking with them our fighter Mick Whitehead. Mick known to his mates as “The Warhorse,” was up against their local boy Jayden McFarren. In the words of Coach Evans the bout was scheduled for six rounds, and what a six- rounds it was. Both boys had traded some heavy leather in a bout that had seen both have their moment in the fight.”
At the end of the fight the crowd was on their feet cheering. “The fight was so even, that judges couldn’t separate the fighters: so, the decision resulted in a draw. This was Micks first fight in four years, so I was very proud of the way he boxed: and I am looking forward to his next fight in May.”
Outriggers
Not only is the Noosa Outriggers Club consolidating as a club, but they are constantly coming home with great results, achieved in their world of competition. With beautiful weather awaiting them at Southport on the weekend, Noosa was definitely in for another successful weekend of racing.
In the mighty Minnow 1k race, Team Flea and Team Shae had good races, as they did in the 4kms Novice Dash. Paz Hegarty and Paul Squire won their event in the two-man canoe over an 8km distance. Nic Cameron, Cecile Ridderhof and Fiona Fisher finished one two and three in Golden Masters Women, while Michiko Schar won the Novice Women’s division. Wendy Mabbott took out Platinum Women’s in a single canoe, as did Mark Gravolin in the Platinum Men’s
Paz Hegarty steered home the winning team in the Novice Women’s 8km race. Club legend and well-known identity Simon Currie, made a come back steering a novice team to victory in their division over 18km. Simon was called in at the last minute and steered admirably. All eyes will now turn to the South Queensland Zone Championships being hosted at Rainbow Beach by our Noosa Outrigger Canoe Club. This is yet another relative new sport, that is spreading fast and becoming very popular. We wish them every success.
Rugby League.
For Noosa Pirates A grade, last weekend was an away game against Stanley Rivers and for Head Coach Michael Duff, it certainly showed good signs for the season ahead. As previously stated, training sessions are well attended by all grades: and this leads to a very positive atmosphere throughout all levels of club life.
“We started really strong against Stanley Rivers on Saturday,” said Coach Duff. “The first half told the story. Led, by Rohan Messer and half back Corey Herdegen and great work in the middle by Harry Dwyer, saw us go to the half time break with a lead of 18 to 6. The second was a bit of an arm wrestle, as Stanley Rivers came back strong to score making it 18 to12. But then our full back Patrick McGinn, closed out the game with a much- deserved try, which was converted.’’ Full time whistle Pirates 24 Stanley Rivers 12.
It is just the start of the season with a long way to go, but the signs are there for the Pirates to weld themselves into a well- trained and well led team. Great work by the forward pack in centre field, with support runners running on to the ball.
Next week Pirates will play the highly regarded Caloundra. It is expected that team captain Kris Williams, and his front row partner Brody Baker will be back on the field for the game. On Sunday the Reggie’s will play Kawana, the thirds will be up against Yandina and the women have Caloundra.
Martial Arts.
From the world of Martial Arts comes good news that two of our local clubs, Karate Noosa of the World Shotokan Karate- Do Federation, and the Gaza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Circuit, have once again performed well in State and Regional competition.
In karate, our local Karate Noosa team sent only five members to contest the State Titles. The team came home with a total of 7 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals. Of these, three students, Dannica Starkey, Sophia Innis and Campbell Finn have now established outstanding records at state level. For Harley McEwen first year competing at this level, it was also a state championship. Zak Mannion competed with amazing spirit and gained valuable experience
Down through the years Sophie Innis five times state karate champion, Campbell Finn also a 5 times state karate champion and the top student Dannica Starkey an incredible 9 championships. Now Dannica and Sophia are looking toward the Aussie Open in Sydney later in April. Then later this year in Italy their aim is to contest the World Junior All Styles Karate Championships.
Also, Bryan Dukas Head Sensei of the Noosa club will be teaching a seminar in Adelaide in May and focusing on Japan 2025.
In the competitive world of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (Referred to as BJJ) Circuit, the results from March 24 2023 and Caloundra Open 2024, run by the Queensland Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Circuit have shown the incredible high standard being taught in our local CAZA club by Professor Yoshi Hasegawa and his training staff.
The total number of medals won, 21 gold,23 silver and16 bronze, has shown the clubs ability to maintain the high standard of teaching: and for a club to be successful this is indeed a major factor. However, winning the Kids and Juvenile Championship four consecutive years speaks for itself.
In competition there are two categories one is Gi and the other No Gi. Gi is when both players wear the cotton Kimonos, which they can grip to help submit or control each other. In No Gi is when both players wear rash guards and shorts which they cannot grab during a match.
To win the double, (a gold in both gi and no gig) is in itself an achievement. Five students have now achieved this goal: Harrison Becke, Daniel Svoboda, Spenser Trigar, Santo Rossetti and Samson Barton. A major highlight occurred when a member of the Adults ,Beau Jagoe won 3 gold and 1 silver (gold in gi and no gi, gold in open weight go and silver in open weight no gi)
Next competition will be Moreton Bay Championships, April 21 2024 Morayfield Sports & Events Centre. Next Sunshine Coast Championships will be June2.
Surf lifesaving.
Regarding the National Titles a full in depth from both Sunshine and Noosa will be presented at the competition of the Championships. However, next week we will meet up with two of our most promising athletes on the international stage: Taj Marsh Weightlifting and Dannica Starkey Shotokan Karate
