Ron Lane
Once again, our Noosa Little Athletics are on the go. This time it was to compete in the 2024 Nordic Sports Regional Championships at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Despite the wet and windy conditions athletes showcased their determination as they competed in a variety of track and field disciplines.
The inclement weather added extra difficulties thus creating a challenging atmosphere for the athletes and spectators alike. Head coach Mick Hooper said, “Noosa’s representation at the two-day event was very pleasing with many athletes competing at their first regional competition. One of the many standout performances came from U14s athlete Taya Clayton who won gold in five events, including the 100 m sprint, 80m and 200 m hurdles, long and triple jump.”
She is also now the new regional record holder in the 80m hurdles, after breaking the record that has existed for 26 years. Truly an outstanding performance. Athletes qualifying in the top four rankings now progress through to the State Championships, to be held at the Queensland State Athletics Centre in Brisbane in March. Noosa will have a strong field with 31 athletes, qualifying to represent the Sunshine Coast.
In the U17 age group, athletes Ella Tudor and Hudson Ash competed in their last Little Athletics regional championships. Ella finished by winning gold in the 300m hurdles, and Hudson by winning silver in the 400 and bronze in the 800 m sprints.
Their progress through Little Athletics finishers at the end of the season. Weather they choose to continue pursuing athletics or explore other passions, the skills acquired during their time in the club will undoubtedly contribute to their success.
Also, amongst those to shine on that rainy day were, Jasmine Finlay, Harvey Zegers and Clara Hermus. Jasmin in the U16 boys sprints won gold in the 100,200 and 400 meters and in the U11 Harvey showed lots of talent in the high jump. In the girls Clara show her talent in the U9s by winning gold in the 700m race walk.
The two day competition was a celebration of all athletics who gave it their best while having fun, spending time with family and friends and aiming for their personal best. With a combination of talent, perseverance, ongoing coaching and training, Noosa’s young athletics are poised to achieve much more success in the years to come. A great club, good people, a fantastic running track: and a head coach who has proved himself many times over. Who could ask for more. Good luck to all.
Weightlifting.
Stop press. Noosa’s top weightlifters Nat Cardeno and Taj Marsh from Noosa Barbell Club, are to represent Australia at the Oceanic Weightlifting Festival, to be held in Auckland New Zealand. They are now gearing up to show their skills on an international stage.
Nat Cardeno, a seasoned athlete, will kick off the competition early in the week at the Masters Tri Nation Cup. Competing in the F60kg class, Cardeno is set to bring her strength and experience to the platform as she vies for top honours against competitors from across the region.
Following Cardeno’s impressive display all eyes will turn to Taj Marsh, a rising star in the weightlifting scene. Marsh will take centre stage later in the week, competing in the M96kg Junior category. With his dedication and determination, Marsh is poised to make a lasting impression in his weight class.
This festival promises to be a thrilling event, showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of weightlifters from around the Region. As Cardeno and Marsh prepare to represent their country and their hometown of Noosa, their community eagerly awaits to cheer them on and celebrate their achievement on the international stage.
Boxing.
Good to see Impact Boxing and Fitness Centre Head Coach Mark Evans once again on his feet and on the move. Recently Team Impact performed a great sporting gesture when they made the drive out to Dysart to attend the Dig Deep Boxing Clubs annual open competition sparring day.
This event is a fund raiser to support the club and raise funds for their travel expenses. The Dig Deep boxing club, travelled 30k km last year to compete all over Queensland. Team Impact put on a great display of boxing in front of a crowd estimated at around 700 people. The bar has definitely been set for the team (the locals) as the standard of boxing from our team was very high.
“It was great to be able to support our good mates out in Dysart,” said coach Evans. “It was definitely a good eye opener for our team. It made them understand the level of commitment and travel, that these remote boxing clubs are prepared to put in to help their kids chase their dreams.” For Team Impact, to travel so far to assist a country boxing club, in that never ending problem of fund raising, was definitely sportsmanship at its best.
The purpose of having Team Impact purchase their own bus, was not only to get their team to tournaments in local regions, but also, as they did with Dysart help promote the sport of amateur boxing ( which is an Olympic sport) in those far away remote places. “Travelling by bus is also a great way to create great memories through sport. We travelled inland off the highway and visited towns that these kids would never have had the chance to see.”
This definitely gave our young people a good look at the other side of sport. This bus is definitely a good investment: not only for Team Impact but also for promoting the Olympic sport of boxing. However, with the bus also comes expenses: maintenance and the big one, fuel. A sponsor deal on running cost to transport these young amateur athletes to their events (and for someone possible the Olympics) would be greatly appreciated.
Rowing.
It has been good news from the Noosa Heads surf boat section. Last weekend at the ASRL (Australian Surf Rowers League) National Championships held at Lorne, Noosa entered a total of seven crews, five of which made the finals. Taking into consideration that this carnival is for the boating fraternity, equal in prestige to the Australian Championships, the Noosa crews have done exceptionally well.
Results from the finals, tells us that two teams made the podium. First up were the Masters who won the bronze medal: next came the girls U19 The Angry Birds, also with a bronze medal. The second U19 girls The Road Runners, finished a close fourth, and the two U19 boys crews, the Noisy Miners and the Kingfishers, finished fifth and sixth.
For the Kingfishers this was indeed a terrific effort, as it was their first season in the boat. The sweeps who swept our crews to achieve such results, were Mick Gardner, Dave Tomba and Stu Cooper. With results such as these, it is only right to thank the support team.
Outstanding, was the work load performed by long serving member (23yrs of service) Steve Freckelton. This member, away from beach patrolling and supporting the boaties, was in private life a former Fireman/Paramedic: members such as this only serve to strengthen the club in general.
It also goes to show that the boat section is not only about rowing, but also team work: and team work is the backbone of all good surf clubs. To round it off, there is of course the boat sponsor: people such as R&W Real Estate and Netanya Noosa. Without them the club will wither on the vine. As stated, it is all one big team.
Gratitude.
When we talk of sponsoring and helping, big thank you to our mates over at the Sunshine Beach SLSC., for the use of their club bus. It has, and will be for several more occasions, played the major role in getting the families of our Seahorse Nippers, from the Lions Park to Noosa’s Main Beach and back. So, on behalf of the Seahorse team, our Bus Boys and the families of the children, a very big thank you
