ROB BLACK
Noosa Lions Football Club officially kick-off their season this Saturday with more than 500 registered players in 38 teams, taking to the football fields of the Sunshine Coast each weekend representing the born-again Noosa region.
With major sponsors Madill’s Motor Group driving the Premier men’s division, and Tewantin RSL & Citizens Memorial Club and RACV Resort kicking in for the juniors, it’s looking like a huge season for Noosa Lions FC. With a growing junior base and now six all-female teams – double that of last season – plus senior men and two Over-35s, the Lions are roaring along. The Premier men went undefeated in the pre-season and demolished Beerwah BeeGees 4-0 in the first round of the Premiership last weekend under the guidance of experienced skipper Ben Cahn. The Lions are into the final of the Johnny Warren Cup and played Caloundra on Tuesday to earn the right to play the Sunshine Coast Fire in a shot at representing the Sunshine Coast in the Football Queensland Cup. The Premier men’s division are a mix of old heads – Michael Williams has played for 20 years in the top flight – and young talent, with the likes of former Fire U18 Chris Jancevski. Other Noosa juniors coming through in to the senior ranks this year include Murray Togatio and Lachlan Taylor in the men’s and Georgia Hausler, Poppy Dunn and Ellie Jones in the women. Lions president Brian Stockwell said things were looking good for the future at the Girraween Sporting Complex. “We have state-of-the-art facilities, great sponsors, a hardy group of hard-working volunteers and committee plus one of the strongest player-bases on the Coast,” he said. “The Lions draw from Gympie in the north right down to Peregian and points south with major sponsors Madill’s Motor Group having strong ties with the Gympie region. “ Like Madill’s the club has a Gympie connection with two of the Premier men’s side, prolific goal-scorer Tim Hollingworth and Dale Tucker from Gympie, plus Adam Madill is a senior Noosa player and three other senior men work at Madill’s.” This Saturday Noosa takes on Woombye, with Reserves at 4pm, followed by Premier men’s at 6pm, plus on-field activities for junior players in the breaks. For more information contact president Brian Stockwell at president4nlfc@gmail.com or call 0422 944 231.
