SPORT

Easts junior players Mia Mason, Talia Smith, Ellie Pritchard and Mystique Thow

Junior Roosters have plenty to crow about

Les Marshall

THE Eastern Suburbs Rugby Union Football Club juniors rounded out a long winter and spring with a three-week Sevens competition that finished on 18 November.

The young Roosters fielded teams in the Under 10, 12, 14 and 16 Girls competitions.

The Under 10s, coached by Feenix Thow, were the absolute babies of the competition, often overpowered by much larger opponents, But what they lacked in size, they compensated for with great heart and enthusiasm.

The Under 12s were coached by Marc Whitfield, who took the opportunity to be involved with his son Ryley.

The Roosters formed an alliance with the Glenorchy Stags and together they produced an extremely competitive team.

The Under 14s also formed an alliance with the Stags, with the Roosters forming a brilliant backbone for the team.

Zavier Thow, Emma Pritchard, Luke Hodge, Henry Mann and Rhyan Mason excelled.

Rhyan scoring his first ever try was a highlight of round one. Not satisfied with just one try, he went on to score three—and on his birthday!

Matching their performance in the winter competition, and again facing Hutchins, the Rooster-Stags finished second in the under 14s Grand Final.

The Under 16 Girls again remained unbeaten throughout the competition.

The spring Sevens competition suffered from low participation, with only Easts and a team from Clarence High School.

To their credit, the Clarence girls battled valiantly but the Rooster girls continued to prevail through their superior technique and experience.

HOT Tennis members Shaun Thomas, Brendon Oliver-Ewen, Hendry Lukman, Moira Callan, Rod Oliver-Ewen, Sam Philpott, Pippo Fontana and Olive Wilson

HOT summer ahead

THE Hobart Out Tennis (HOT) Tournament will return to Hobart for the eighth year next month, as a part of the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (GLTA).

Players from across the globe will travel to Tasmania in January to compete in the state’s largest amateur tennis tournament for the 2022/23 summer.

Held over three days, matches will take place at both the Hobart Domain and Lindisfarne, with 14 different divisions to cater to all skill levels.

The event’s 2022 overall champion, Shaun Thomas, encourages any tennis lover looking for an inclusive space to consider signing up.

“This year’s tournament was such a special event that really prioritised inclusivity,” he said.

“Being around similar people and having supportive spectators really took the event to the next level.”

HOT club secretary Brendon OliverEwen hopes the upcoming tournament will attract a large number of Tasmanian players, after what has been a challenging time for the gender diverse and LGBTQIA+ community in sport.

“Sport isn’t necessarily an inclusive space,” he said, “and what we want here at Hobart Out Tennis is for people in our community to show their genuine selves and even more to be accepting of diversity, inclusion and allies.

“We want to bring the community together.”

The tournament will run from 13-15 January. To find out more or register as a player, visit glta.net/world-tourcalendar/ and click on Hobart Out Tennis Tournament.

Clarence Christmas Brunch

When: 10.30am - 12.30pm Sunday 25 December Where: Howrah Community Centre For more information contact Clarence City Salvos at clarencechristmasbrunch@outlook.com or call 0417 190 413.

Free event!

TEEING OFF ON CANCER

Cancer survivor Paul Fallon, left, prepares for the Longest Day golf challenge with Young Dawkins and Scott Laycock

Mackenzie Archer

GOLFERS across the state will hit their local course this month to take part in The Longest Day, a golfing challenge designed to test skill, strength and stamina while raising critical funds for Cancer Council Tasmania.

The Longest Day challenges golfers to play either 36 (The Long Day), 54 (The Longest Day) or 72 (The Ultimate Challenge) holes in one day. The official date for this year’s event is 12 December, but golfers can tee off on any day that best suits them.

Golf enthusiast and prostate cancer survivor Paul Fallon is passionate about raising muchneeded funds for Cancer Council Tasmania. He has set himself and his friends at the Royal Hobart Golf Club a target of raising $25,000.

“We’re hoping to get as many players on board as possible and hit our target,” he said.

“There is very little support for Tasmanians impacted by cancer and having been a cancer survivor myself I know just how important the work being done by Cancer Council Tasmania is for Tasmanians doing it rough.

“The Longest Day is a great opportunity to contribute to the fundraising efforts of Cancer Council Tasmania while playing a sport enjoyed by many.”

Paul and his colleagues plan to complete The Ultimate Challenge of playing 72 holes in one day.

“Over the course of the day we will play four rounds of 18 holes and walk more than 42kms,” he said.

“Last year I started at 5.15am and did not finish until 7.10pm that evening.

“Putting my name forward and raising funds for this organisation feels like the least I can do to support Tasmanians who are struggling.”

Cancer Council Tasmania director of engagement and fundraising Jill Bannon said golfers across the state are out practicing for The Longest Day, with Tasmanian golf clubs committed to promoting the event.

More than 40 players have already registered, and Ms Bannon is encouraging more people to sign up – whether they’re seasoned golfers or completely new to the sport.

“We have people registered right across the state including golfers from Ratho Farm (Bothwell), Flinders Island and everywhere in between,” she said.

“In 2021 the challenge raised $40,000, but this year I encourage Tasmanians to go even further.

“The challenge is a great opportunity to test your skill and stamina, while raising funds for an essential Tasmanian service.”

Every dollar raised by The Longest Day will stay here in Tasmania. The Cancer Council Tasmania is more than 85 per cent funded by the community and every cent that is raised is critical for the organisation to continue to provide vital services to locals impacted by cancer.

To sign up, go to www.cancer.org.au/tas

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