Gympie taken on board

THE Sunshine Coast Sports Federation took a major step during the week, inviting Gympie and its sports fraternity to join our awards system.
It really wasn’t a hard decision, as nearly all Coast sporting clubs play week in and out in competition from Gympie to Caboolture.
I am sure many Noosa clubs have had some involvement with Gympie in their early days of formation.
Noosa and Sunshine Beach surf clubs, along with Noosa Rugby League, all got a great start from the country boys in their heyday.
Even today, Gympie and Noosa have merged to form the Northern Outlaws for this year’s rugby league season, and had a great debut in last weekend’s Super 9’s Tournament in Maroochydore.
The new Gympie mayor is former Wide Bay league star Mick Curran, who is fully behind this move giving his area’s athletes the recognition they deserve.
But hang on, it’s not only the athletes who will get some much-needed exposure, the awards cover all aspects – with coach, event, team, volunteer, Special Olympics all in the mix.
Gympie already has some fantastic venues like their million dollar mountain bike facility, but their proposed $20 million Aquatic Complex will be a real asset to the Coast sporting facilities leading up to and including the 2018 Gold Coast Games.
It will also come in handy if Brisbane/South East Queensland do progress with a bid to host the 2028 Olympic Games.
Noosa sports guru Garth Prowd is a born and bred Gympie boy, and I don’t think anyone would doubt his input and value to local sport over the past 30 years.
I would hate to estimate the money generated back into the community from the events he has been involved with.
Cooroy’s long-time volunteer Sue Stanley has joined the Federation Board, and a similar position has been offered to anyone interested from Gympie.
I think the point I am trying to make is, while the Coast is sadly divided into four different shires from Caboolture to Gympie – I ask the question, why can’t these councils work in harmony as the sporting codes have done for close on 100 years.
Sure they are all competitive and want the best for each club but there’s always good and bad times.
Not every club can have the continued success that the Noosa Dolphins rugby has enjoyed.
Sunshine Coast Basketball has formulated its own association with all four clubs as its members, its president is Noosa’s Carl Wilkinson.
Already it can boast a QBL side and its junior teams will now be strengthened because of the united push and wider choice of players. In finishing today, I just can’t believe the court’s softness in relationship to the recent drugs saga with some of our star players.
Reds Karmichael Hunt will be back playing by April, after a fine and slap on the wrist. And he pleaded guilty, that’s what I scratch my head about.
Anyway, if you’re looking for something to do over the weekend, catch up with all the action of the festival of surfing.
Until next time.