Aside from her coaching commitments, as a full-time paid coach for Queensland Academy of Sport for sprint kayaking, Sharlene Kelly has put a proposal together for the Queensland Academy of Sport. This is to reignite the relationship between Sprint Kayaking and Surf Lifesaving.
Happy to say that her proposal has been accepted, and as a result she is heading the collaboration with the QAS and SLSA for Talent Identification across multiply sports, as well as coordinating the sprint kayak program. Both the QAS and SLSA are very excited to be working together to find and crest athletes who will potentially compete at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.
Add to this she has also been selected for the Australian team as the U16 Women’s coach for the Asia Pacific Cup. This will be held in Sydney on 9-11 May. “I have built my Noosa area squad to nine athletes in the past 12 months, and most of them compete in surf lifesaving for Noosa and Sunshine Beach SLSC. However, most were not experienced enough to compete at the championships this year,” said coach Kelly. “I am confident we will have a large squad for next season.”
Wes Berg, Head Coach of Sunshine Beach has been a huge supporter of the sprint kayak program. ‘’We are in the process of finalising the program that will see more Sunshine Beach SLSC athletes learn to paddle a kayak: and this undoubtedly, will benefit their surf training.’’
Sharlene took 12 athletes from her squad to race at the recent Paddle Australia National Canoe Championships. One of the 12 athletes, was St Teresas Catholic College student, Tom Maker. Tom raced in the U16 age category, which this year was a tough age group. Tom made the B final of the U16 k1 1000m, and placed 6th in the U16 k4 500m. He also postered some personal best times, which means he is improving.
The other 11 athletes are from Caloundra to Maroochydore. All performed well and all posted best personal times , made the A and B finals in individuals(k1) and finals in team boats (k2 and K4) over 200m ,500m and 1000m. Dakota Luke who competed for Dickey Beach SLSC, and was taught to paddle a kayak just 6 months ago, has been selected for the Australian team to compete at the Asia Pacific Cup in May.
Sharlene was also selected for the Australian team as the U16 Women’s coach for the Cup. The past 12 months have been extremely busy, teaching junior athletes how to paddle a kayak. As a result of the coaching, the program has resulted in over 40 junior paddlers, across the Sunshine Coast, now in training.
To have Sharlene Kelly and Wes Berg working in unity, can only be a massive step in the right direction: for both Lifesaving Surf Sports and future Olympic selection.
Noosa State Titles
The Queensland Surf Lifesaving titles were held on the weekend with first events on the Friday. Originally set for Kurrawa, because of dangerous conditions all were transferred to North Kirra. For the masters, competing Friday, the Noosa competitors came off the beach with a swag of medals. Such were the results, that Noosa finished second overall.
At last year’s Australian Titles Noosa Masters finished if fifth place, which was a great effort. Now to finish second at the state, in conditions rated as difficult, shows good consistency in team performance.
Also on Friday, the U17and U19 and Opens were competing. In the Open mixed double ski event, Jordan Mercer teamed with Chris Kither to win gold. In the U19 Female Double Ski Kayia Marsh teamed with Caitlan Read to win silver. Against more experienced teams, this was a great effort.
But perhaps the best of all came, when Noosa finished in 4th in the Female Open Taplin Relay: the blue- ribbon event. Despite not winning a medal, this was definitely an outstanding performance. This event which covers three legs, board, ski and swim, has two members for each leg. On the Saturday, the seas had dropped off and the masters boat crew, swept by Stu Cooper, won the gold medal in their division.
Other crews also qualified for semi, and finals on the Sunday. A highlight for the Sunday was when U17 Rory McIntyre, won the silver in the board race. In the Open women’s reserve boat, swept by Davie Tomba, after a bad mix-up at the start, the crew put in a gutsy effort to win the bronze medal.
Once again that master of the sand events Kai Thompson, came home with yet another medal . This time it was the bronze won in the open beach flags. ‘’The overall effort, from Noosa’s inexperienced junior teams, was,” in the words of the Director of Surf Sports, Alan Rogers, “a fantastic effort.”
Next week, we talk with the Head Coach Wes Berg of Sunshine Beach SLSC, regarding their State Titles.
Martial Arts.
Now comes the latest news from our local Caza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club. Located in Cooyar St Noosa Heads and under the control of Professor Yoshi Hasegawa, Yoshi bringing us up to date.
“It was my intention of sending you an update regarding women’s only classes. However, there is a major local Sunshine Coast competition coming up on Sunday 24 March. This tournament, known as the Caloundra Open, is one of the major in tournaments in Queensland and last year was attended by more than 700 students. Proud to say that our Caza club won 1st place Overall and the Kids division.”
In fact, the Caza club has actually won the Overall and Kids division the past 3 years: 2020, 2021 and 2023. This one will be the beginning of three Sunshine Coast tournaments: so prestigious are they, that on previous events, competitors have travelled from all-over Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne.
Rugby League.
Last Saturday was a great day for Noosa Pirates Rugby League. At Pirates Park there were plenty of juniors in action, starting at the 6s and up to A grade. The ladies, coached by Barry Goldthorpe, missed out when their opponents Beerwah, had to forfeit. They will now wait till Round 2, when they face the defending premiers Kawana, at Kawana.
However, for Noosa Pirates, the upcoming season is indeed looking good. Results of the weekend trial games were as followers. In the Third grade Noosa went down to Mary Valley, 26 to 22. The thirds showed that they will be a strong side after going down narrowly to last year’s premiers. According to coach Tony Mallory, “It was a very close game, tit for tat, but errors on the wrong end of the field cost us the victory.”
In the Reserve grade, it was Noosa’s day: winning 32 South Toowoomba 10:Noosa dominating the game right from the start. Hooker Sam Lothian opened the score for Noosa with a smart move from dummy half. New comers Asher Buckman and Glen Jarrett, were fantastic. Numbers have been strong in preseason, and it is expected that this side will push deep, with a great blend of senior and young talent coming through.
Following the Reserve grade, Pirates A’s performed well to finish with a good win over South Toowoomba 24 to 6. As was expected the first 15 minutes was a strong physical affair in the middle of the field.
However, we were able to get the upper hand and stay in control for the remainder of the match,” said Head Coach Michael Duff. “Our opening try was from full back Pat McGinn who sliced South’ defence wide open to score under the posts. Five-eight Matt Craven was a standout: his experience in the halves will be priceless. Dyllan Cousens was solid as always from hooker. Team captain Chris Williams was outstanding, as was his front row partner Jackson Ricotta.”
Next weekend A grade will travel to Mullumbimby for a trial game, while the reserves will take on Coolum at Yandina. Good luck to Pirates in the season ahead.
