By Ron Lane
When not on duty as an active member of Patrol 4 Noosa Heads SLSC, Taj Marsh as a member of the Noosa Barbell Weightlifting Club has made a massive and very successful impact in the world of Australian Weightlifting.
At just 20 yrs of age this delightful young man, training under his father coach, Woogie Marsh definitely has the world at his feet: having competed successfully on several occasions at international level.
Now after a short break, Taj is due to compete again on the weekend of 1 and 2 June at the Elite International weightlifting tournament (invitation event only) in Melbourne Australia.
‘’In this Taj will be competing in the 102 division. The Oceania Weightlifting Federation, on June 1 and 2 will host one of the biggest weightlifting events for many years, at the Victoria Weightlifting Stadium, in Linda Cresent, Hawthorne. In attendance will be some of Europe’s elite weightlifters. Taj has been training well and is primed for an exciting event. He is looking forward to competing against some of his heroes in the sport of weightlifting: and he is eager to face the challenge ahead.”
Again, this would not be possible without the support from the local community. Therefore special thanks to Noosa Barbell Club, The Invicta Way, The Chartists, Noosa Sup Co, Noosa Integrated Recovery Centre, Elane Nutrition, Virus International, SMP Health, Noosa Osteopath, Noosa Heads SLSC, UNISC High Performance and the Sports Hall of Fame.
“On behalf of our family, thank you all for your continued support of Taj.”
Good luck and lift heavy young man in your upcoming event. Taj, the Noosa community will be watching.
Here is a young athlete who is not just competing against some of the world’s finest in his chosen sport, but also serving his community as a patrol member of the Noosa Heads SLSC.
Word from the Noosa Heads SLSC Education Coordinator Sam Cashmore tells us that things are once again on the move.
“At this time of the year the Surf Education Team is busy getting all our ducks in a row and preparing for the silly season ahead, (Term 4 2024 and Term 12025).”
The importance of the work our Education Teams are doing in our schools cannot be emphasised enough. The opportunities that exist for our youth to become lifesavers, in a good well- structured surf club, cannot be overlooked. The discipline and knowledge that can be achieved from a good team of instructors can, in many instances, also be of benefit in their private lives, outside the world of surf and sand. A big well done to our Surf Education Teams.
Despite no longer being a member of the Noosa club Lana Rogers who this year won the Iron Woman Championship at the Australian titles, still has a very strong connection to the Noosa community. The reason being, her mother Margaret not only lives here, but also runs the pool at the Tewantin Primary School. Being May, the celebrated month of Mother’s Day, could not be a better time for a mother to celebrate this outstanding achievement of her daughter Lana.
Talking with Margaret, the pride in the achievement of her daughter, was indeed very obvious. ‘
’As you can understand I am very proud of Lana: a lot of very hard work and a passion for what she was doing. Then for her came the acclamation: acclamation that was well earned.” Then to top it off came the news that she had been selected to represent Australia at the World Surf Lifesaving Championships later this year. For a very proud mother this month of May could not have been better.
For Lana it all started back in Cronulla Surf Club when as an U6 nipper she not only started competing but also winning. However, at this time her main event was the swim. Then at 15 years of age the Iron Woman event caught her attention: and this was to be the beginning of what is now looking to become the birth of a legend.
During the young years one of the pleasures was her friendship formed with another young girl named Georgia Miller. “They competed against each other a lot,” said Margaret, “and became good friends. They also had wins against each other.”
Georgia, also went on to become an outstanding Iron Woman champion. But Lana was not the only young swimmer in the family to become a champion, for her sister Dallas, competing in the pool, 200 and 400 freestyle and the 200 butterfly was rated amongst the best in Australia.
For Lana her record so far is the stuff that legends are made of. Amongst her achievements are the Coolangatta Gold twice, Nutri Grain Series three times, Australian Belt race once, Sunshine Coast Iron Woman twice, and the Summer of Surf Iron Woman Series once.
For Lana, being selected in the Australian team for the World Surf Lifesaving Championships to be held at Kawana in September is her second time to wear the Green and Gold. Her first time was a few years ago when she competed in a big International in Japan.
Her first Coolangatta Gold, came when she was a member of the Noosa club, training under coach Sharlene Kelly.
“Lana is a great athlete and is very mentally strong. It was a pleasure to coach her, and I was very sorry to see her go: but I wish her and her family all the very best. She had a couple of rough seasons but she is now back on track: and it’s good to see.”
For Margaret, this Noosa mother, to celebrate the Month of May with a daughter who has again won yet another major title, then capped it off by being chosen in the Australian team, is definitely a month to remember. To both mother and daughter all the very best in the years ahead.
Talking sport
Outriggers
Word from Colin Jones Noosa Outriggers Spokesperson tells us that they are looking forward to the World Sprint Championships to be held in Hilo Hawaii, from the 13th to the 24 the August 2024. ‘’Many teams from Australia will be competing including Noosa. They will have teams from Masters 60 Women’s in V6, Masters 50 Men’s V1 and two Master 70 Men’s V6. It has indeed been an amazing achievement to qualify for these events.”
Coming up next weekend are the National Marathon Championships in Mooloolaba for V1,V6 and V12: These events will be contested over three days.
“Next weekend there will be over 225 OC6 teams alone from around Australia, competing with Hurricane Outriggers from Western Australia. On their way, not to mention, several teams from Hekill Outriggers and surrounding clubs as well as many NSW clubs: and a special mention to the Open Men’s team from Geelong and Cradle Coast combined.”
Next week a summary of results will be made available.
For the Pirates Rugby league fans, this weekend Sunday will be A grade and Reserves vs Nambour and C grade vs Palmwoods. These are all home games. Go Pirates!
