SPORT

Junior footballers recognised at annual awards

THE Southern Tasmanian Junior Football League (STJFL) Annual Awards and Presentation Night for the 2021 season was recently held at Blundstone Arena.

The STJFL Awards Night recognises the commitment of players, volunteers, coaches, trainers and umpires throughout the year.

“The best and fairest players in each age group are awarded the prestigious Robert Beakley Medal,” STJFL president Jim Horne said.

“The medal is named after the late Robert Beakley, a long-time and dedicated supporter of junior football and cricket in the northern suburbs.

“The night also recognised the STJFL Coach of the Year, STJFL Club Umpire of the Year, STJFL Sports Trainer of the Year and STJFL Volunteer of the Year.”

Robert Beakley Medallists from the Hobart area were Tommy Bennett from the Sandy Bay under 15 boys’ team, Evie Bingham from the North Hobart under 13A1 girls’ team, and Anna Edwards from the Sandy Bay under 17A1 girls’ team.

STJFL Club Volunteer Umpire of the Year was awarded to Andrew Fletcher from the Hobart Football Club, and Russell Cripps was awarded STJFL Life Membership.

STJFL patron and Liberal Member for Clark Elise Archer said the battle for the Robert Beakley Best and Fairest Medal counts in each age category was an exciting way to finish the season.

“I commend all clubs, players, volunteers, coaches, trainers, umpires, families and supporters for a wonderful season of junior football,” she said.

“The number of players in the STJFL continues to increase year after year, especially in the girls’ competitions, which is a great sign for our local competition.

“Sport plays not only a vital role in our physical and mental health and wellbeing, but our local sporting clubs also provide mentoring and social support to those who need it.”

From left, Kelly Males from the Glenorchy District Football Club receiving the 2021 STJFL Volunteer of the Year Award from Liberal Member for Clark and STJFL Patron Elise Archer.

Public Notices

DEPARTMENT of STATE GROWTH

Davey Street Rehabilitation Work

We are repairing the road surface on Davey Street This is essential maintenance to strengthen and improve the condition and safety of the road and reduce ongoing maintenance costs. Please note that the section between Molle Street and Antill Street will be completed at a later time. This project supports the delivery of projects within the Hobart City Deal.

Traffic changes

We will be working nights starting Sunday, 29 August 2021, between 6.30pm and 6.30am from Sunday to Thursday. Night time lane closures and reduced speed limits will be in place. Motorists should allow up to eight minutes extra travel time during the roadworks period. Two lanes of traffic on Davey Street will remain open during nightworks. Please follow speed limits and the directions of traffic controllers and signs. A reduced speed limit will also be in place during the day for the roadworks period.

Parking changes

There will be no street parking available in the work location. There will be signs to show where the No Parking / No Standing / Tow Away Zones are. Any vehicles left parked and unattended in the work location during our working hours (overnight from 6.30pm to 6.30am) will be removed.

Bus changes

There will be some temporary, nightly disruptions to bus stops. Please follow your service provider’s alerts and look for any local signage. For more information about this project, visit transport.tas.gov.au.

TRAIL RUNNING FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE TASMANIA’S NATURAL BEAUTY

From left, trail runners Gareth Hinds, Mel Yeates and Lincoln Quilliam enjoying the scenic trails around kunanyi/Mount Wellington.

A BRAND new trail running festival was launched recently that will celebrate Tasmania’s natural environment.

The kunanyi Mountain Run will be held from 8 to 10 April 2022 and will include four epic trail-running events – the 68 kilometre ultra (completed by a sole runner), 68 kilometre ultra (five person relay), 28km mountain run (solo), and the Vertical Kilometre (1000 metres straight up, over five kilometres).

The three routes will showcase kunanyi’s diverse landscapes and Tasmania’s unique endemic species, including dry silver peppermint forests, in contrast to the wet eucalypt forests, dolerite boulder fields and alpine snowgums.

Participants will run directly underneath the famous Organ Pipes that watch protectively over nipaluna/Hobart. kunanyi Mountain Run director and founder Lincoln Quilliam said plenty of people new to trail running could tackle the 28 kilometre or ultra relay events.

“The 28 kilometre is perfect for anyone who’s had a crack at Point to Pinnacle, known as the world’s toughest half marathon, and wants to step up to the next challenge,” he said.

“It’s a legendary loop where runners climb the mountain from South Hobart, and then head all the way back down.

“They won’t be running it on the road but immersing themselves deeper in the landscapes on the trails which is an incredibly special experience.”

According to World Athletics, trail running has grown globally by 15 per cent per year over the past decade.

Mr Quilliam said Hobart, with kunanyi on its doorstep and its clean air and wild landscapes, was a “world class trail running experience and had significant potential to be Australia’s trail running mecca”.

“kunanyi Mountain Run’s vision is that runners and spectators alike will learn, be humbled, experience the energy, and better understand their own and the communities’ connection with kunanyi, the indigenous palawa name for Mount Wellington,” he said.

“We run with deep respect for the Tasmanian Aboriginal people, the palawa people of Lutruwita.

“We will be supporting and sharing the stories of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community through the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, and we’re just so thankful to them for sharing Country with us.

“kunanyi is, or should be on every runner’s bucket list.”

Destination Southern Tasmania chief executive officer Alex Heroys said the announcement of the kunanyi Mountain Run had come after a decade-long call for a national-scale trail running event.

“This is another great example of destination and experience tourism,” he said.

“Tasmania is the perfect location for a multi-course event such as this, attracting Tasmanians – and, COVID-willing – interstate runners and their families to the state.”

Running scholarships are available to Tasmanian aboriginal runners and others less fortunate, while two per cent of registration fees will go directly to a fund that supports volunteer track maintenance.

To register interest in the run or volunteer in the event, visit www. kunanyimountain.run

From left, Presley Sia, Hobart Dodgeball director Desmond Onwumere, and Jenna Skinner.

Dodgeball arrives in Hobart

A NEW, fun, fast and challenging sport has arrived in Hobart.

Hobart Dodgeball was recently established by Desmond Onwumere and is seeking players who are looking for a new path to fitness and excitement.

Currently played at the University of Tasmania Unigym and at Dodges Ferry – an appropriately named location – participants have been coming from across Hobart to team up in the fast-paced action.

“I’ve been involved with dodgeball for more than eight years and find it to be the most fun I’ve had while playing a sport,” Hobart Dodgeball director Mr Onwumere said.

“It rewards good reflexes, a strong throw and plenty of agility, but more than that it is the teamwork and camaraderie that develops as you get into the game.

“I’ve also found it to be one of the easiest ways to introduce yourself to new people, which came in handy having moved from the USA to Australia.”

Mr Onwumere has been the Australian Dodgeball Federation captain and has represented Australia in many countries around the globe.

The depth of his knowledge of the game is extremely high and he leads by example, encouraging both experienced and beginner dodgeball players to develop their skills and understanding of the game.

“I am looking for people who are interested in improving their fitness, having a laugh and finding new friends,” Mr Onwumere said.

“People come to dodgeball with a range of abilities and I will match those abilities within teams so that a well-balanced group sport is offered to all comers – young and old.”

Hobart Dodgeball hosts a session at the Unigym in Sandy Bay on Tuesday nights at 7pm and at Dodges Ferry Primary School on Sunday at 5pm.

The cost for one hour of fast-paced fun is $10 per person.

For more information and to register, visit www.hobartdodgeball. com.au, email hobartdodgeball@gmail. com or phone 0458 445 044.

Hobart Horticultural Society Inc. Iris, Rose, Spring Bloom and Floral Art Show

5 November 2021 from 1-5pm 6 November 2021 from 10am-4pm

Hobart Town Hall (lift available) Cost: Free entry Gold coin donation gratefully accepted. Come along and enjoying the pleasure of viewing irises, roses and different spring flowers in bloom. There will be a plant stall and also light refreshments available. Don’t miss out!