By Ron Lane
TO come up with a new concept for fund-raising that is acceptable within a community is one thing, but to keep it going for several years is another. However this is exactly what Damien “Butch” Smith and his support team of workers have done.
The event known as the Contender of the Codes, first made its appearance back in 2009, and except for a brief break has been on our local calendar ever since.
On Saturday evening, at the Leisure Centre in Wallace Drive, Noosaville, some three hundred fans turned up for yet another evening of boxing and socialising.
Under the banner of the Contender of the Codes, representatives of the various football clubs stepped forward to don the gloves and take part in three, three minute rounds of the noble art of self-defence.
The main benefactors of this evening of hit and miss, were the Sunshine Butterflys and all clubs taking part.
The fights – of which there were seven – were very entertaining and all fighters gave their best.
Large cards which indicated the round that was about to start, (for example, 3) were carried around the ring by attractive young ladies, suitably dressed for the occasion.
Between fights several articles of sporting memorabilia were auctioned and in some cases the bidding was very competitive.
It was interesting to see the sporting groups and business houses that had supported the evening by booking ringside tables.
A major supporter of the evening was without doubt the Noosa Box Office Gymnasium.
Under the control of owner and head boxing coach Israel Kani, the NBO’s involvement was threefold; with Israel acting as pre-fight coach, match maker, and fight referee.
Many of the fighters took the opportunity to prepare themselves by attending training and coaching with Israel, and then on the evening Israel gave further support by performing third man duties as referee.
To have someone with Israel’s background refereeing, ensures that on this charity evening no one gets hurt.
Perhaps the fight of the evening was between Dolphin Rugby Union and Pirates Rugby League representatives.
After three rounds of some heavy punching, the Dolphin won on a split decision. Both fighters received a standing ovation for their performance.
At the end of the evening the major award (based on a points system), the Mick Hamilton Sporting Community Shield, went to the Dolphins Rugby Club.
Prior to the presentation, Butch called all contestants into the ring and thanked them, the sponsors and all the support team, for “their magnificent input”.
In particular, he thanked the crowd for turning up when he said, “Without your attendance this would not be possible. I thank you one and all.”
Mingling and speaking with the crowd, one thing was repeated over and over, “we should do this sort of thing more often.”
Rob Pervis, president of the local AFL Club, who was there supporting his players, said: “We need to take our clubs more into the community and get together.”
A young man in his late teens summed it up beautifully when he said: “A great night with all us blokes from different sports mixing together – socialising. This sort of thing gives us a better community.”
Wise words, from someone so young; and all for a good cause.
