Club President Nick Souvlis and Jenni Quibell Manager of Chemist Warehouse with Innisfail Leps A grade players Rob Haren, Joel Lokotui, Lata Fakalelu, Timothy Ambrum, Lachlan Biondi-Odo and Derome Mafi who modelled the new jerseys.
Close to $15,000 raised at Innisfail Leprechans Jersey Auction and Season Launch
MARIA GIRGENTI
INNISFAIL Leprechauns held their annual season launch and jersey auction at the club last Friday where interested parties bid for 17 jersey numbers in all three grades with the successful bidder winning the right to exclusive privileges, as well as having their business name endorsed at all home games throughout the season. This season is shaping up to be an exciting one for Innisfail with the introduction of a team in the new NRL women’s touch competition and the club has employed Lachlan Biondi-Odo for junior development. Players in all grades will also be sporting a new playing strip which incorporates the traditional red V and green and blue of Leprechauns. Club President and MC Nick Souvlis paid homage to the loyal support from all major and minor sponsors and was excited to welcome on board new sponsors for the women’s touch team Mamu Health Service. Mamu Health will also be working closing
with Innisfail Leprechauns junior and senior clubs and running Deadly Choices activities throughout the year. Player numbers are strong and it has been a great start to pre-season in all grades with players showing a high commitment to training sessions, there is a good vibe around the club and it is shaping up to be a good season in all grades. Licenced auctioneer Peter Greven started the bidding and the most sought after jerseys which attracted the highest bids of $1,500 were number 10 and 17. The number one jersey received the second highest bid of $1,200 while number seven and nine jerseys each went for $1,000. A number of jerseys generated great interest and close to $15,000 was raised from the auction on the night. Head coach for A grade Leon Hallie said the numbers and attitude has been very positive so far and this year was about getting back to basics such as discipline.
While A grade has lost the experience of Matt Healey, Adam Fichera and Anthony Perkins, Fred Koraba and Dan Sagigi have stepped up, captain Rob Haren provides good leadership, Lata Fakalelu, Lachlan Biondi-Odo and Timothy Ambrum have returned while Ben Reuter is also a possible inclusion to the squad. There are some new players which will bolster the playing ranks including Derome Mafi who previously played last year in CQ Capras Under 20s team in Gladstone and Joel Lokotui from New Zealand. Major sponsors of the Under 18’s for the third year are Lance and Diane Law from Innisfail Carrying Company, Ron & Dan’s Butchery who have sponsored the club for over 25 years will continue with Reserve Grade side while A grade major sponsor is Chemist Warehouse. The three major sponsors were given with a jersey as a token of appreciation from the club. Former Leps player Ryan Stepanoff is the new
Under 18’s coach, Ken Laza returns for his third year as Reserve Grade coach while Leon Hallie returns for his third year as A Grade coach. Reserve grade coach Ken Laza said there had been strong numbers at training and already there is fierce competitions for positions with a good balance of players across the park. Lisa Sue San said she was very excited about the girls NRL women’s touch competition with 12 girls signed up and a few more expected to register. There have been just over 20 ladies at training and it is hoped the new competition will attract more spectators to games. Innisfail will travel to Townsville this Saturday for a trial game against Norths. The season officially kicks off on Saturday, March 30 when Innisfail have a home game first up against defending premiers Mossman at Callendar Park.
SPORT
U N F O R T U N AT E LY the less-than-ideal water conditions did not allow boats to travel out to the
main reefs or islands over last weekend. The Bureau has forecast low winds for Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday so hopefully by the time this report is published the boaties will be out there catching some
This weeks photo comp entry
Clinton Rutledge caught a 1 and a half size 12 thong grunter Saturday night February 2 at Tully Heads.
very hungry Coral Trout and Nannygai. Virtually all the fishing has been focused on the estuaries and sheltered headlands. I fished both the Murray and the Tully last week and found the going tough; we did manage to catch a few Barra, mostly undersize and a couple of keepers in the mid 60`s size range. We found the Barra spread out and dropped the size of our lures down to get the bites in the difficult conditions. The small paddle tail soft plastics and prawn imitations definitely worked the best with the Fuze Doctor being the stand out lure for us. Reports are that the Hinchinbrook Channel fished better than the coastal creeks, possibly as the water temperatures were a little more stable. One of my mates fished the southern end of the Channel on Wednesday and caught 8 Barra to 103cm in a single 2 hour session. He released all but two good eating size fish and left them biting. It’s worth noting that he went back there on Saturday with high expectations only to find the Barra had moved, he then fished all day for 6 undersize rats, (that’s fishing!). I have also heard a few reports of Mangrove
Jacks being caught; you do have to find the cleaner water and generally water clarity has not been good enough. The sheltered waters of Hinchinbrook have also been producing some nice Grunter and Fingermark. Anglers have been fishing the sheltered drop offs and rubble patches around the change of the tide. The Mud Crabs have been reasonably consistent, however the really big catches are yet to come; we just need the salinity in the estuaries to improve. It’s obvious that a lot of Barra are still well up in the freshwater reaches of the rivers with reports of big numbers being caught in the Murray, Tully, Maria and Liverpool. Care needs to be taken when fishing these areas but the rewards can be great with some very good sized Barra being caught well up in the fresh. Weedless soft plastics are the go to lure here, with lures such as the Zerek Prawn and Fuze Doctors working extremely well. If you are new to fishing weedless come in and ask, the staff can give you tips on how to rig and maximise your hook ups. Unfortunately this weekend the wind is predicted to rise during
Saturday morning to 10 to 15 knots, so the best chance for a reef trip is to take a sicky on Friday. The keener anglers will hopefully be able to travel out and fish the close islands and headlands on Saturday morning. There should be good numbers of Queen Fish and Trevally around the pressure points and Fingermark in the deeper holes and isolated structure around the headlands. The early morning run in tide is large and will give some problems however the high tides work very well for those fishing for Grunter up on
the flats in the Hinchinbrook area. The run out tide is a lot smaller, and will suit those wishing to fish for Barra and Jacks (try either side of the late afternoon low.) Most of the larger Barra have been caught in the estuaries on the neap tides when they seem to school up. The tides next week are perfect for this, so hopefully we will see some good fish caught. See you on the water. Good Fishing Roly Newton Tackle World Tully
info@ccin.com.au
NILSMASTER lures back in stock!
Tully Bridge Results First Second Third
Monday, February 25 Dianne Spearman / Clydie Pease Vilma Bonassi / Korma Byrne Sandy Raiti / Sandy Mollenhagen
First Second Third
Friday, March 1 Vilma Bonassi / Sandy Mollenhagen Jan Pease / Clydie Pease Kerry Borthwick-Bolton / Sandy Raiti
Protect The Great First Barrier Second Reef Third
North South Marlies Maussen / Peg Sabadina Clydie Pease / Delmo Ghanza Margaret McSweeney / Anne McLean
MARCH
Thursday 7 0303 0.86m 0933 2.93m 1542 1.17m 2133 2.54m Friday 8 0325 0.94m 0952 2.82m 1602 1.17m 2159 2.48m Saturday 9 0349 1.06m 1035 2.53m 1624 1.20m 2229 2.40m Sunday 10 0417 1.22m 1035 2.53m 1651 1.24m 2304 2.29m Monday 11 0449 1.42m 1101 2.35m 1724 1.30m 2355 2.18m Tuesday 12 0535 1.64m 1130 2.16m 1814 1.38m Wednesday 13 0129 2.11m 0720 1.84m 1226 1.97m 1957 1.43m
Great Barrier Reef (Own Work) Wise Hok Wai Lum - Wikipedia Commons
East West
Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 7, 2019 Page 23
SPORT Silkwood Clay Target Club
SILKWOOD Clay Target Club held March monthly shoot on Sunday where several shooters braved inclement weather to take part in four events. Silkwood now have a 24-point lead over Atherton in the Interclub Shield and congratulations to Peter Threlfall and Angelo Russo on moving up a grade to AA and Chris Santarossa from B18 to A19. Results were as follows: 25 Target Double Barrel AA Equal 1st: Gil Alvero, Paul Crapella, Na-
than Thurston, Michael Thurston and Jar Smaniotto 25 A Equal 1st: George Bugeja, Michael Puccini, Frank Scamnello and Liane Robertson 25 B 1st: Bek Rosendahl 25; Equal 2nd: Chris Santarossa, Robert Sapuppo and Alan Millwood 24 C Equal 1st: Brett Coulthard and Rob Draper 22 30 Target Medley AA 1st: Ron Gough 50; 2nd: Peter Robertson 48 A 1st: Angelo Russo 48; 2nd: Mario Raccanello 48 B 1st: Chris Santarossa
47; 2nd: Sandra Crapella 44 C 1st: Peter Neilsen 45; 2nd: Frank Nunan 44 30 Target Single Barrel AA 1st: Ron Gough 29; 2nd: Peter Robertson 29 A 1st: George Bugeja 29; 2nd: Angelo Russo 29 B 1st: Allan Millwood 27; 2nd: Alan Floreancig 27 C 1st: Frank Nunan 25; 2nd: Rob Draper 25
29 29
30 Target Handicap 1st: Bryan Sanderson 2nd: George Bugeja 29 3rd: Chris Santarossa
FNQGA Golf Clubs Annual General Meeting
THE Annual General Meeting of the Far North Queensland Golf Association Incorporated will be held at the Atherton International Club, 60 Kennedy Highway, Atherton, Queensland on Sunday March 10 starting at 9am. Two following two positions had received nominations before the cut of date February 7 President, Stewart Worth,
El Arish Country Club and Committee, David Cameron, Cairns Golf Club. However, Mr David Cameron has written to the FNQGA to formally withdrawn his nomination for a general committee position for the 2019 FNQGA Executive. The following positions will be called for election from the floor at
the Annual General Meeting on March 10. Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Match Chairman, Junior Chairman and 4 Committee members. All positions of the Executive must be confirmed and approved by a motion of those members present at the meeting.
Tropical Coast District Veteran Golfers’ Association Report
Tropical Coast Veteran golfers got off to a wet start at Cardwell on Tuesday February 26 for the opening Day. Fortunately, through the course of the day the rain cleared and the conditions were perfect. They were enjoyed by all in attendance for the remainder of the
round. The winners of the 4BBB stableford event were Brice Henry (Tully) and Mick DeVries (Cardwell) with 44 points. Second place was awarded to the Ingham team of Fred Smith and Jim Busuttin followed by Denis Kent (Cardwell) and
Wayne Bolton (El Arish). Pin Shots went to Caryll Lavell (El Arish), Julie Reed (Ingham), Mick DeVries (Cardwell) and Jim Busuttin (Ingham) Next week is a Stableford aggregate at El Arish 8am muster.
Golf image atribution By Petey21(Own work) via Wikimedia Commons
Golf Tully Golf A break in the weather saw our members out on course to contest the March Tyres Plus Tully Monthly Medal. Thanks to Alex and Jess for their continued support. The winner with a great score of 67 nett was Graham Lauridsen, in second place was Adam Stubbings with 69 nett. The nearest to the pins for the afternoon were 2/11 Betty Favier, 7/16 Maurie Smith.
Best wishes to Ernie Gower who celebrated a “significant” birthday recently! Sporters on Thursday saw Allan Carne continuing his recent good form, recording a score of 21 points to win the 9-hole competition. Jon McKenzie won the 6 hole with 14 points. Graham Sinton and Simon Strutt both with 18 points took out the rundown. Nearest to the pins, 1/10 Allan Carne, 2/11 Jon McKenzie, 3/12 Dave
Morris, 7/16 Les Edwards, 9/18 A Grade Dave Morris, B Grade Graham Sinton, C Grade Graham Lauridsen. Thursday will be a 9-hole sporters competition, with tee off from 12.30pm to 4.00pm. On Saturday there will be a single stableford sponsored by News Express Tully, hitting off from 11.30am. El Arish Golf Report All went smoothly last
Page 22 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 7, 2019
Bowls This Week
Innisfail Bowls Club
Thursday saw 26 players on the green. The winning team being A.Strano, T.Dorrington, P.Longford. Unfortunately, on Saturday 12 players were unable to get on the green because of the weather. The monthly Self-Selected Mixed Pairs is proving popular with 29 players on the green on Sunday. S.Howe and John O’Brien snared the prize money. Two games were played in the Club Championship. “A” Singles: I.Humphries defeated C.Smith in a close game. “B” Singles: S.Micale defeated G.Kirkman. Keep your eye on the board for more games to be called! Silkwood Bowls Wednesday February 28 and Sunday March 3 were unfortunate weather Condition. There was heavy rain that stopped us from bowling. Friday March 1 was Night Barefoot Bowling The weather allowed us to bowl a few ends Dan Dunne, Mirella Berryman, Karin Rastoll enjoyed playing against Brian Brooks Anna Della Bella, Agnes Cain. As usual it is enormous fun, come along and try our bowls game, bowls are provided, all are welcome. FREE BOWLS COACHING The 1st Saturday of each month starts at 9am at the Silkwood Bowls Club. All are welcome! For more information call Denise 0400791517. You can follow us on Face Book with all upcoming events! Social Bowls Wednesdays and Sundays. When you register please take note of the time!! From March 3 we will revert to normal time. week for golf. There was neither too much heat nor too much rain to negatively influence play. Tuesday’s Stableford winner was Graham Lauridson on 34, with Arthur Hamilton 2nd on 33. NTP on 5/14 placed beautifully by Margaret Johnston, with the Approach shot on 9/18 going to Arthur Hamilton. Thursday’s Sporters had another great field with results as follows: Winner – John McKenzie on 25, Wayne Bolton 2nd
Register at 1pm start of play 1.30pm. South Bowls Club
Johnstone
South Johnstone Bowls Club is hosting Lightning Triples on the 16th March. There is $1005 in prize money up for grabs with the 1st game to start at 9:15am. Nominations are $35 per bowler or $105 per team. To nominate please contact Shane on 0447 056 431 or Tim on 0457 981 111. FRIDAY NIGHT TWILIGHT BOWLS will be held on the 8th of March. We will be supporting Townsville Flood Appeal and will be having an EXTRA-LARGE Raffle on the night. All monies raised will go direct to flood victims. Bowls and barbecue on the night for $15 commencing from 6pm. NEW OPENING HOURS - SJBC will be opening on Thursday and Friday afternoons from 3:30pm so come down for a cold one or a practice. Friday Night bowls will now be commencing Fortnightly which will be the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month. Working Bee on Saturday the 9th starting at 8am everybody welcome. There is a meeting to follow working bee. Tully Bowls Some of our ladies travelled to south Johnston on February 25 to compete in the T.F.N.Q. graded fours. This competition included clubs from Tully in the south to Mossman in the north and the tablelands. Ray Wicks oversees the three sessions to be held on the March 4,11 & 18. This competition will have fifteen high school children trying bowls. Sunday March 3 saw sixteen bowlers playing. The winners on the day were Ray Wicks (skip) Rita Pezzutto and Brian on 28, Tony Sorohan 3rd on 31 and Rod Rackley 4th on a c/back on 32. Jan Benn won least putts with 11. NTP results: 1 John McKenzie – 2 Matt Smith, who also took out 3 & 7 – Tony Sorohan won 4, with Rod Rackley taking the Cash Pin on 5. Saturday’s Monthly Medal Stroke event sponsored by Brothers Leagues Club results as follows: LADIES winner Marie Pavan with r/up Caryl Lavell both on 69 nett
WHAT’S HAPPING IN
Crawford. Club championships are on their way, Ladies’ championship singles will be played at 9.00am Saturday March 9. Men’s championship singles are expected to also start this week. Please check the boards! Friday bowls and Friday night roast are on this week. Last Friday March 1 saw 24 players enjoying barefoot bowls. A reminder that the bar is opened from Tuesday to Fridays from 4.00pm and Pizza will be available on these days. Bowls a game for every age! Innisfail Bowls
Ladies
After two weeks of 40-degree temperatures which have denied Innisfail ladies the pleasure of playing social bowls, a few ends were played last Wednesday before intense showers proved too much and stopped play. Last Tuesday at South Johnstone, Innisfail were one of 12 clubs from all over the Far North region who played in the TFNQLBA Graded Fours. The rain held off for most of the day and ladies enjoyed a cooler day but were faced with the challenge of some gusty winds. After three games of 14 ends, two teams finished with three wins while a third team had two wins and a draw. All ladies enjoyed the opportunity to play with bowlers from other clubs and appreciated the hospitality afforded by South Johnstone. Yesterday ladies from all clubs competed at West Cairns for the B Grade Player of the Year. The Innisfail ladies are hoping their competitions can get underway this week.
MENS [on a 3 hole playoff decider] winner was Arthur Hamilton with r/up Gavin Camilleri both on 59. NTP Ladies on 5/14 – Marie Pavan Men’s on 2/11 Gavin Camilleri, with Jake Perkins taking the Hamilton Pin on 5/14. This Saturday a 3 Ball Ambrose event will be played [choose partner] sponsored by G.A.Flegler. Play well and enjoy your games!
SPORT BOWLS TULLY
Butler St Wednesday 5.30pm register for 6pm start Sunday 12.30pm register for 1 pm start
SILKWOOD
185 Silkwood/Japoon Rd Wednesday 1pm register for 1.30pm start Friday 6pm Bare Foot Bowls & BBQ Sunday 1pm register for 1.30pm start
SOUTH JOHNSTONE Fleming Branch Rd Every 2nd Friday of the month at 6pm Sunday from 1pm
INNISFAIL
1 The Corso Wednesday Ladies Social 12pm – 5pm Thursday Men’s Social 12pm – 5pm Friday Bare Foot Bowls 3pm – Late Saturday Mixed Social 12pm – 5pm
GULF TULLY
Pratt St Thursday 9 Hole Sporters from 12.30pm Saturday 18 Hole comp from 11am
CARDWELL
23 Gregory St Thursday Ladies 18 hole A.G Event Handicap required Register 9am Tee off 9.30am 9 Hole Sporters Stableford No Handicap required 10.30am _ 11 am Tee off Saturday 18 Hole Mens A.G handicap Register 10.30am Tee off 11am
EL ARISH
Bruce Highway Tuesday 18 Hole 12.30pm for 1pm Tee off Thursday 9 Hole 12.30 to 4pm Tee off Saturday 18 Hole 12.30pm for 1pm Tee off
INNISFAIL
2 Palmerston Dr Wednesday All Sports 12pm & 3pm tee off Friday Comp 12pm & 3pm Tee off Saturday Comp 7.30am & 12pm Tee off Sunday junior Comp from 8am
BRIDGE TULLY
Behind Bowls Club 1 Coronation Dr Monday & Friday at 12.45pm
DARTS TULLY
Bowls Club Tuesday’s 7pm
CLAY SHOOTING SILKWOOD
Japoon Rd Practice every Saturday 9am – 12pm Every 2nd Saturday 9am – 3pm Comp 1st Saturday of every month
NETBALL TULLY
Igloo Mondays Under 12’s 4.30pm – 5.30pm MPC/Igloo DIV 3 5.20pm – 6.10pm & 6.10pm – 7pm DIV 1&2 6.10pm – 7pm & 7pm – 7.50pm
TENNIS TULLY
Behind Show Grounds B Grade Tuesday Night 7pm A Grade Thursday Night 6.30pm for 6.40pm start Thursday Mornings Ladies 8.15am for a 8.30am start
FOOTBALL TULLY
Show Grounds Training Tuesday & Thursday 6pm
SPORT
Meeting Travellers at the Tully Support Centre
SARI HYYTINEN
RAPHAEL Grau was on a long journey down the east coast. He has come a long way as Raphael is from Germany. He landed in Cairns and is on his way to Sydney. He stopped in to stay on the Cassowary Coast on the way. Friday morning, March 22 Raphael stopped at the Tully information centre where he was able to refresh and get ready for the next part of his journey down the coast. He has stayed in Innisfail the night using a website called Warmshower he located accommodation. Raphael loves the website Warmshower! “it’s an awesome worldwide community of cyclist, and you can stay for free at other cyclist homes,” said Raphael when talking about finding accommodation to stay
in as he travels down the coast. “I liked Cardwell the most, because I could cycle along the ocean and have some nice local fish and chips. A bit southern of Cardwell I got a lift by two awesome police officer. They put my bike in the back of the police car. We even made a selfie together, really nice people!” said Raphael when asked about his favourite place had been on the Cassowary Coast. Raphael is riding down the coast because he hasn’t been able to travel around the world as much as he would like due to his studies. Raphael is studying biomedical engineering and works as a full qualified paramedic on a voluntary base. He has completed short trips to different parts of the world and has chosen Australia for his current cycling journey because he
had been an exchange student in Australia as a teenager and he wanted to return. When asked about his cycling challenges in Australia Raphael responded, “It’s hard to cool down in the north of Queensland, because of the wildlife i cannot swim in many places, also nice nature, like waterfalls or beaches are to fare away from the Bruce highway, (30km inland means 60km additional to my day journey). The heat, headwind and the big road trains and traffic are difficult for me. I would wish to myself, that more cars give way for cyclist, like more distance and respect me as a cyclist on the roads” Raphael is set to make it to Sydney on March 14 and will then fly back to Germany.
Raphael Grau at the Tully information Centre learning about the Tame the Tully world rafting event as he makes his way to Sydney by bike.
Advertise here Call 4068 0088
Tigers News with Shane Muriata THIS weekend sees our black and gold soldiers travel south of the Cassowary border when we take on the mighty Herbert River Crushers in two grades. As the boys readied themselves for Tuesday’s training, Tigers Head Coach Tongy said he was looking forward to settling on a spine that could take him to Round 1 of the CDRL. “With Darryl Grant back, we have someone to work around. A good combination will start us off, then it will set us up for Round 1.” The main message from the coach was that he has been impressed with the energy shown at training, with most of the drills focused around game related sessions. “If we hit the ground running for the season kick off, we should be able to build into the comp, looking good before our first bye in Round 4.” Reserve Grade and second season coach Steven Barrett just wanted extra numbers and some committed players to get us going. “If we can have some good numbers at training, then finals could be a realistic goal. I feel I am growing into the role of a coach, it has been real eye-opener. Get along to training and this could be a good season for our club.” Tully Junior Rugby League legend and champion allround person Donna Harding has been so busy signing players and handing out Junior League gear that she had barely any time to talk about how our little legends are readying
themselves for the season of a life time. “It’s one of the best draws we have ever been given: six home games, two in Innisfail and only four away games in Cairns. We are so excited now and there’s plenty more room for other players to sign. Get on down to the showgrounds on Tuesdays and Thursday at 5pm.” The line-up of coaches in the Junior ranks that will lead the charge for 2019 sounded more
like a Hall of Fame of past champions. Boss man Damien McAvoy will head up the U6s, with Benny Ketchell and former Power Ranger Jono Taylor leading the crew in the U11s. Matty Helion, Steven Morice, Benny Thompson, and Johnny Tschui along with Playboy model Emmi round out the Tigers Bunch that will give the Brady a run on any television episode special. President and former Hopscotch World Champion Grant Blenner was beaming when I finally caught up with him. “Things look good already. Our first aide officer Tracy ‘Greatness’ Brunello will once again look after our little club. Socks and shorts are $90 for 6-10 year olds and $150 for 11-16s. Hopefully our numbers will grow in the next few weeks.”
These are the coaches and mentors that will be trusted to take our Juniors and Seniors to the 2019 promised land and beyond. Aron Tongy and Steven Barrett will steady the ship with the men and a group consisted of the Avengers, Ninja Turtles and the Justice League hold the key to success for our little guys.
Then and Now Greg Shannon IT is hard to believe that this Friday, March 8 the North Qld Toyota Cowboys will have their season launch for what will be the clubs 25th season. Twenty five years? A lot has happened in those 25 years and of course Rugby League in North Queensland is now in its 106th year. In those 81 years Rugby league provided both entertainment, and a real sense of identity for a long time prior to the Cowboys starting. The Cowboys have that mantle now. The pride and passion people will show for the Cowboys this Friday and on March 16 at the opening round of the 2019 NRL season is probably similar to way back in 1928 when some 7000 people travelled far
and wide to see a NQ side play an international side for the first time ever. We have mentioned this game before, the 1928 NQ v Great Britain clash in Townsville which took place a few years after the railway line was connected between Cairns and Brisbane. This match was to prove a financial windfall for the North Qld Rugby league (NQRL), an organistion that had started in 1920 and had as its inaugural treasurer a former referee called Artie Fadden, who later became Sir Arthur Fadden, Treasurer and one time Prime Minster of Australia. This clash between NQ and Great Britain took place on 30th June 1928 and would have been the biggest sporting event
in the north to that point in time. Reports from the day indicate some people travelled a week just to be there at the old Townsville sports reserve to see the North Qld rep side play the very powerful and famous 1928 Great Britain side. Travel between towns was much harder in those days, with trains the most likely mode of transport. To put the game into perspective the touring Great Britain side won the 3 test series against Australia 2-1. This match took place just after the second test in Brisbane. When North Qld lined up against Great Britain that day it is safe bet many people didn’t give them much of a chance, since players had to travel by train and boat just to get to Towns-
ville to train. By halftime the score was 16-15, but to NQ not Great Britain! The crowd went crazy as the NQ side ripped in and the English team manager politely wrote “our opponents adopted shock tactics in the opening minutes and scored 8
points in as many minutes to the delight of the crowd” Great Britain eventually ran out 3016 winners but the game was a huge success and the fledging NQRL had a healthy gate taking off &500, a fortune in those days which no doubt help the
game grow in the north. That game set a benchmark for pride in the NQ jersey. That same pride will be displayed this Friday when the 2019 Cowboy squad is introduced at the season launch.
The historical 1928 NQ v Great Britain clash in Townsville, with the huge crowd many whom travelled for a week just to be there.
Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 7, 2019 Page 21
SPORT
Mayocchi brothers crowned world champions at Copa Podio the most prestigious adult invitational Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Brazil MARIA GIRGENTI
THE Mayocchi brothers recently flew 23 hours from Innisfail to Rio de Janeiro to take on the world’s best at Copa Podio, the largest and most prestigious adult invitational Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament and both returned home victorious. Brodie and Kyle Mayocchi returned home to Australia with the Podio Gold Cup in their respective weight divisions showing the best in the world how they do it here in Innisfail after contesting the most prestigious BJJ competition. Both boys who attend Innisfail State College were also the first Australian juniors to ever be invited to compete at such a tournament and proudly represented Fusion Fight and Fitness Innisfail and Peter de Been 100% Jiu-Jitsu - St Kilda Junior Elite team. The tournament which was streamed live attracted some two million viewers worldwide and was watched by many supporters in Innisfail and Australia who cheered them on from afar.
Copa Podio featured 30 of the best junior and senior athletes and it was the first time juniors had been invited to compete. Brodie Mayocchi took out the final against Arjuna Brown from USA to become the first world champion on Copa Podio. Kyle’s opponent was selected by 15 of the best 67kgs green belts in Brazil fighting off in a tournament, with the winner meeting Kyle in the Super Fight. Kyle Mayocchi, aged 15 took on Brazil’s best 67kg green belt over two three minute rounds and with a take-down won the super fight on points 2 - 0 against Caio Ramosbjj who was an extremely tough opponent leaving no doubt who is now the best greenbelt. After his fight, Kyle was graded in Brazil and received his blue belt. Over the last three months he has made some major improvements and is a great role model for junior members. Brodie, aged 13 fought in a group of 16 of the biggest names from 13 countries in 54kgs division up to 15 years
Junior fighters Kyle and Brodie Mayocchi have returned home from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as Orange League champions after competing in Copa Podio, the world’s most prestigious adult invitational Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournament. The boys are pictured with the owner of the gym in Brazil where they trained for a day.
old. His flawless performances saw him win his first three matches by submission in a few hours. He then went on to win the final by an advantage to become the first world champion of the Orange League. Both boys trained hard and were well prepared having spent two weeks training at de Been Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Melbourne. For the past six months, they’ve also benefitted greatly learning from Nicolas Aguir, a black belt from Argentina who has been training with them at the Fusion Fight and Fitness Innisfail gym. While in Brazil for one day they trained at a gym where the owner said the boys would do well as they had just trained at the ‘House of the Gods.’ The support was amazing not only from Australians but just as many Brazilians sent the boys messages of luck before the fight as well. Their coach and Dad Daryl Mayocchi who accompanied them to Brazil said their wins were well earned due to their extreme dedication and commitment to their sport as elite athletes and sticking to their strict training regime and changes to family lifestyle. Both fighters wished to say a massive thanks to their club Fusion Fight and Fitness Innisfail and Peter de Been 100% Jiu Jitsu - St Kilda Junior Elite team. They also wished to thank their team mates, coaches, businesses for their sponsorship and local community for their generous support of their fundraisers. Sponsorship packages are available for 2019 and anyone interested in helping the world champs to continue competing in the sport they love can contact Daryl Mayocchi on 0428 618 813.
Judokas back in action on mats at Innisfail Judo Club MARIA GIRGENTI
NEW and returning judokas in junior and senior age groups took to the mats at Pavilion 1, Innisfail Showgrounds and recently attended a Come and Try Day to mark the start of the Innisfail Judo Club season. The club is looking for more youngsters aged eight and under to give judo a try and join up as Monstars. The world’s oldest sport of judo aids in the development of self-discipline, punctuality, good manners, strength, stamina, tenacity, toughness and also builds confidence and self-respect, all character traits which are vital to achieving success and being respected by the local community and society. Although judo is essentially a martial art and combat sport, the fighting children do in the dojo actually prepares them well for life’s challenges faced in the future. They will learn in life they are not always going to win so by taking part in freestyle sparring and competing within the rules teaches children vital skills such as persistence and
perseverance. Judo players also learn balance, co-ordination and agility along with throwing and grappling methods without punching and kicking, as well as teaches them how to fall safely. Innisfail Judo Club is affiliated with Judo Queensland and Judo Australia and looks after competition and social players alike, with a strong emphasis on juniors. Throughout the year, Innisfail hosts and attends many training camps and competitions with the camps suitable for all levels from beginners, social and avid competition players. Multiple members of the club have represented Qld State Titles, Queensland International Open Tournaments, as well as the Australian National Championships with many winning gold, silver and bronze medals. In the six years since the club started, it has attracted National and World Japanese Judo champions to their training camps. The club also hosted the 2015 and 2017 Queensland Judo Titles which was of an exceptionally high standard.
Training days are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Dojo - Pavilion 1 (Innisfail Showgrounds) from 5:15 6:00pm for Monstars (aged 6 to 8 years) and 6:00pm to 7:30pm for those aged nine to adult. Beginners are welcome with classes offered for all ages and skill levels and all are asked to bring a water bottle to training. Cost is $5 per lesson with the first two lessons free for beginners and a training Gi (uniform) is available to loan. Competition classes are held on Fridays for all ages from 4:00pm to 5:30pm and a number of judoka will be preparing for the Queensland State Judo Championships and State Training Camp being held in Brisbane from April 5 to 8. Nominations are now open for Innisfail Annual Open and Training Camp hosted by Innisfail Judo Club on the weekend of March 16 and 17 at Innisfail State College and need to be emailed by March 10. Anyone wanting more information can contact the Innisfail Judo Club Inc on 0410 331 545 (Paul), 0448 426 089 (Kylie) or via email: innisfailjudoclub@ hotmail.com.
Ajay Surha demonstrates a throw on Yasuhiro Maeda while new and returning judokas of all ages and abilities who attended the Innisfail Judo Club Come and Try Day watch on.
South Johnstone Bowls Club hosts TFNQDLBA Graded Fours
LAST Tuesday South Johnstone Bowls Club hosted the Tropical Far North Queensland District Ladies Bowls Association Graded Fours which saw a full green of 64 players compete in three games of 14 ends.
Ladies were from South Johnstone, Innisfail, Silkwood, Babinda, Tully, Mareeba, Atherton, Yungaburra, Marlin Coast, West Cairns, Edmonton and Edge Hill clubs. Players brought their own
lunch and then enjoyed morning and afternoon tea supplied by South Johnstone ladies. The winners on the day were: Vicki Wieland (Skip) Yungaburra, Esther Manly (Third) Innisfail, Ailsa Crit-
tenden (Second) Edmonton and Katherine Wiltshire (Lead) Mareeba. Runners up were Glenda Anderson (Skip) Edge Hill, Judy Hood (Third) Tully, Lyn Stevenson (Second) Innisfail
and Robyn Langtree (Lead) Edmonton. A special thanks to Games Directors, Denise Charman (Silkwood) and Glennis Buttigieg (Babinda), selectors Louise Hoskins (South Johnstone)
Ladies from 12 clubs across the Far North region filled the green at South Johnstone Bowls Club last Tuesday for the TFNQDLBA Graded Fours.
Page 20 Cassowary Coast Independent News, Thursday, March 7, 2019
and Pam Anderson (Innisfail); umpire Val Kennaugh (Mareeba), as well as South Johnstone members for their help and to everyone who made the day a huge success.