Noosa Athletics
In a recently released flyer, head coach and life member of Noosa Athletics, Mick Hooper, announced that squad training has resumed in full.
The training sessions aim to prepare all school-aged athletes for their upcoming school carnivals. Noosa Little Athletics has already hosted four school carnivals this winter at Girraween Sports Complex. The big Noosa District primary schools will come after the holidays.
It is great to be able to help out the schools with our facilities,” said Coach Hooper. “It would be even better if we had an all-weather tartan track to support the upcoming talented athletes in the lead up to the Brisbane Olympic Games. Non-members aged 10 and up are welcome to join our winter squad training, with the expectation of becoming members in the summer. However, to join our hammer throw squad, they would need to be turning 13 years or older this year.”
Australian Athletics made a big announcement this week detailing that the 2026 Australian Championships, to be held in Brisbane mid- April, will for the first time, be a combined Little Athletics and Athletics Australia Mega which will see the 12 and 13year olds, run by Little Athletics and the 14 yr and older run by Athletics Australia, with no double up in age groups.
‘’This will streamline our sport and make it more affordable, not having to double up for Nationals in different States. This I am sure will make our sport even stronger.”
Kayak.
Yet again, we in the Noosa Community have another of our local coachers appointed to a top National position. This time it’s Sharlene Kelly, the Australian U18 Junior Women’s coach. A recently released flyer announces her presence in Western Australia from 7–12 July for the Australian Junior Sprint Kayak team training camp.
“We will fly to Portugal Saturday 12th July to contest the 2025 ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships. These will be held at Montemor-O-Velho, Portugal from the 23rd till 27th July. The Australian sprint Kayak Team is made up of the best sprint kayakers from across Australia: this includes athletes from the Sunshine Coast. These World Championships let our athletes compete with top sprint kayakers, including Olympians and medallists, making the event highly competitive.” said Coach Kelly. To Coach Kelly and the team, we wish them all the very best.
Surf Lifesaving
Two members of the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club have been selected to join the Australian team for the Trans-Tasman Battle in New Zealand this November.
Wes Berg, Sunshine’s Head Coach, is now the Surf Life Saving Australian Open Coach, while Craig Law has been reappointed as the Australian Youth team manager. His ongoing involvement contributed to the team’s success. Berg sees his appointment as a fitting addition to his 21-year Nutri-Grain Ironman career, and 15 years of coaching, bringing extensive knowledge and enthusiasm to the team.
Following the success of the 2024/25 season Sunshine is going from strength to strength. Having started the preseason training at the beginning of June, head coach Wea Berg is training his squad for the Shaw and Partners Iron Series trial which has been moved forward to September this year.
An impressive cohort of Dyland Wilson, Courtney Bryant, Freya Wilson, Zane Hadley, Niamh Arthur, Claire Cameron, Rosita Ortega and Senna Grevling are in phase two of a four phase program designed by the head coach to complement the trails gruelling qualifying process. Sunshine’s surf sports program has welcomed new members and continues to achieve greater success each season.
The senior squad is well into preseason training for October’s first carnival. Juniors are training alongside seniors in track and gym sessions, allowing experienced competitors to motivate and support younger athletes each week. Junior surf sports nippers return to the water this week to start their preseason program, with new participants and a fresh group of U/11s joining the team.
“The 2025/26 surf sport season has begun, and Sunshine Beach is increasing participation in the red, yellow, and black caps, anticipating another active year.’’
With every passing season the culture of this club grows stronger and stronger. The selection of both Wes Berg and Craig Law in the Australian team is a great indication as to the strength and success of the Sunshine Beach coaching panel. Congratulations and well done to all involved: here’s to another successful season.
At the Noosa Heads Club Annual General Meeting, attended by over 100 people, Donald Mckill was elected President and Steve Mawby Deputy President. Both bring substantial experience to their roles.
Donald has held several senior positions in the club plus a successful time in office as President of the Noosa Dolphins Rugby Club. Steve Mawby continues on a successful term as Chairman and foundation member of the now famous Seahorse Nippers and other positions. To the predecessors of these positions, we thank them for their years in office.
Pickleball
From our friends in the Noosa Pickleball Club all the news is good and indeed very positive. Currently, the tournament season is ongoing, with upcoming events scheduled in Yeppoon, Hervey Bay, Toowoomba, Bundaberg, and Brisbane. The Australian Championships are scheduled to take place on the Gold Coast in late September and early October, with an expected participation of over 1200 competitors.
The game is becoming increasingly popular, resulting in a higher demand for courts. Individuals interested in learning more about pickleball are invited to attend free introductory sessions organized by local clubs. Held regularly on Sunday mornings at our dedicated courts in Tewantin, all equipment is supplied.
If you would like to express your interest, please contact our club at the following email address: Info@noosapickleballclub.com
We now take the opportunity to look at the results of the members who competed in the Queensland championships at Morayfield. Gold medals went to Woody Dass-Dennis Reaves (70+ Men’s Doubles 3.5+ AR), Jo Thompson (50+ Women’s Skinny 3.49), Barb Mawn (60+ Women’s Skinny 3.49), and Bob Bleicher-Janet McAuslan (70+ Mixed Doubles 3.49-).
In the Silver medal category, Rod Ewards 60 + Men’s Singles 3.49-, David Armstrong 60+Men’s Skinny 3.49-, Leandri Pretorius-Bec Rochow 19 + Women’s Doubles 3.49-, Janine Scott 50 + Women’s Skinny 3.9-, Rose Gillett-Don Gillete 70+ Mixed Doubles 3.49- and in the Bronze Shaun 35 +Men’s Skinny Any Skill, Lynne Nisbet- Cathie Middlin 60+ Women’s Doubles 3.49-, Barb Mawn-Linda Durbidge 60 + Women’s Doubles 4.0+ (AR), Kerryn Browne 50+Womens Singles, 3.5- 3.99, Leandri Pretorius- Steven Cooper 19+ Mixed Doubles 3.49, Ron Gatliff- Carolyn Bates 70+Mixed 3.5,(AR).
Total count gives Noosa Pickleball 4 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze: from a team of 30 club members, a tremendous effort. A total of 630 competitors participated in the carnival: overall the figures are promising and a good indication for the seasons ahead.
Rugby League.
It was a good and very positive weekend for the Noosa Pirates Rugby League Club. Every team that took to the field from the U13 Internationals to A Grade, won their games. Starting with the A grade, they played solid football to beat the formally undefeated Stanley River side 42-20. Reserve grade followed up with a win over Stanley Rivers 28-4, and Pirates last senior side of the day, had a close win over Kilcoy 12-8.
For Pirates Junior internationals U17 boys, it was definitely a game to remember. The team initially played with 11 members, which later increased to 12. However, following a head clash, the number of players was back to 11. To play the game without subs against a team of 13 Stanley River, was incredible: not only did they play, but they finished on top 20-16.
For the U15 boys it was a similar storey. Taking to the field with only the necessary 13 against Gympie, who not only had a full team, but also players on the reserve bench, saw the Pirates go down 14-12. The U14 boys had a big win over Stanley Rivers as did the U13s over Gympie. The U13 Girls chalked up another win this time against Caloundra36-8.
Senior Games are at home this Sunday: U17 Boys start at 10.45 am, followed by U/19 Men’s, Reserve grade, and A Grade at 3:00 pm.
