By Ron Lane
To call the two Noosa ladies u/19 boat crews, the Lion Hearts of Noosa could be, according to some people a gross understatement. Young in years, small in body and for the majority still in high school these two crews are affectionately known as the Scrub Turkeys and the Spangled Drongos.
For these young girls rowing for the Noosa Heads SLSC, aged 16 and 17 the fact that they have chosen perhaps the toughest physically event in Australian Surf Life Saving Competition is of no concern to them. The results achieved during this season show us that our young daughters by their performance have definitely earned the respect of all involved within the boat fraternity of Australia; from the officials the junior crews and right through to the masters. They all say well done girls.
First we look at the Scrub Turkeys. Rowing under this unusual banner we have Lucy-Grace Cullen, Amelia Frye, Abbey Whittaker, Grace Floyd and sweep/coach David Tomba. Their club mates rowing as the Spangled Drongos are; Zali Kerr, Tayla Fox, Sinead Hayes, Josie Stephenson and sweep/coach Mick Gardner.
For this season the Scrub Turkeys highlights were; 3rd NAVY ASRL (Australian Surf Rowers League) Championships of Australia and 2nd in both the state and national titles. The ASRL Championships with 300 crews from all over Australia taking part is considered the major event of the season.
With the Spangled Drongos their results were; 1st Coolum Beach, 2nd at Manly, Freshwater and the Pacific Palms, Battle of the Boats, all major open carnivals. Then finally in the NAVY ASRL Championship of Australia, they finished in 1st place. The ASRL Championship results were for Noosa unique in two ways. First with two crews in the u/19 womans final they finished an incredible 1st and 3rd and perhaps most important they did so in surf so big that officials and boat sweeps met to decide would they continue or stop.
Sweep David Tomba said, “On the morning of the final the crews took one look and asked in amazement, are we rowing in that? Then someone said this is what we do so let’s go.”
With the competition season now over the ASRL have released their National Rankings for the year.The Scrub Turkeys and the Spangled Drongos are rated second and third respectfully in Australia. Proud to say these 16 and 17yr high school girls– are Our People.
