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RUGBY The final round in Central Coast Rugby Union (CCRU) has ended with all four matches ending as most people had predicted, leaving the Final Five rankings unchanged.
At The Haven oval, Terrigal proved too strong for The Lakes, winning the match 38 points to 24.
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Terrigal got away to a great start surging to a 12 point leads with two early tries.
The Lakes hit back however and levelled the scores at 12all and, with another try apiece before halftime, The Lakes went in with a slender 19-17 lead.
But that’s where it ended as Terrigal dominated the second stanza scoring a further 21 points to 5. Best players for Terrigal were centre Brent Merritt, flanker Aaron Carrigg and five-eight Adam Danckert while The Lakes were best served by centre Ashton Hutchinson-Walters and lock Reihana Hemopo.
The win to Terrigal cements their Minor Premiership and will see them retain the Challenge Shield.
They will now have next week off, while The Lakes will meet the Ourimbah Razorbacks in the elimination Minor Semifinal at Woy Woy Oval.
The Avoca Beach Sharks won a tight struggle against Hornsby at Heazlett Park, running out winners by 35 points to 27.
The match was an arm wrestle throughout with neither team able to take a complete break on the scoreboard at any time in the match.
The first half went point for point for the full 40 minutes, with Avoca Beach going in at 18-17 and it was anybody’s match at that stage.
In the second half, the Sharks were able to hold on to the lead and eventually secure second spot on the ladder.
Best players for Avoca Beach were centre Alex Halls, hooker Cooper Elliott, lock Emile Thomas and No.8 Fionn Henderson-Foley.
Hornsby were best served by five-eight Hunter Bird, winger James O’Connor and No.8 Cooper Davenport.
Avoca Beach will now play third place Kariong in the qualifying semi-final after Kariongput away Warnervale 52 points to 17.
Kariong dominated the first 40 minutes piling on 35 points before the break and a further 17 points in the second half.
Best players for Kariong were fullback Jake Hubbard, who scored 2 tries, flanker Ryan Conaghan and five-eight Josh McGlynn.
Warnervale’s best players were props Veipueki Siale and Nick Jansen, and flanker Ricky Halangahu.
In the final match of the round, Gosford were no match for Ourimbah at Gosford Showground, losing 5-35 to the visitors.
It was a convincing win by the Razorbacks, with strong performances from flanker Lochlan Stuhne-Scott, prop Steven Finley and saw them retain the Thomson-Brown Shield.
It also holds them in good stead going into the elimination match against The Lakes.
Semi-finals match-ups settled
The Trojans secured the minor premiership and the Challenge Shield
Source: Match Report, 28 August Larry Thomson, CCRU President
RUNNING More than 150 people ran, walked and pushed prams along the shoreline of Brisbane Water to mark the 150th Parkrun event, held at Woy Woy on Saturday, August 20.
Four years earlier on July 7, 2018, 287 people took part in the inaugural Woy Woy Parkrun event, joining the worldwide Parkrun community movement, which originated in London.
Co-Event Director at Woy Woy, Scott Wedesweiler, said the Woy Woy Parkrun was born out of locals running at the growing Mount Penang event.
Original event directors Naomi Rogers and Jesse Skelton were supported by volunteers Brad Rogers and Amy Lakes to set up the event.
They wanted to create the event to bring a second Parkrun to the southern end of the Central Coast, to create a Parkrun community on the peninsula.
Current volunteer Event and Race Director, Karen Duncan, said the Parkrun is not a race against other runners, but a 5km timed run.
“It can be whatever you want it to be, whether that’s for fun or as part of a training plan,” she said.
“It offers an opportunity for everyone, regardless of age, gender or ability, to come together on a regular basis to enjoy this beautiful park and get physically active into the bargain.”
Each week the Woy Woy Parkrun attracts well over 100 participants.
The free event is held every Saturday at 8am in all weather.
“Taking part is easy – just register before your first ever Parkrun,” Duncan said.
“The great thing is that you only ever need to do this once.”
For the event to take place, Parkrun relies on a group of volunteers.
The Event and Race Director does much of the background organising prior to the day, with as many as eleven volunteers ensuring the event operates safely and smoothly.
Duncan is just one of 392 volunteers and became a CoEvent Director at Woy Woy Parkrun in 2021.
“As Race Director, seeing all the volunteers in their orange vests on the day is a great feeling of how inclusive and encouraging everyone is, to do something for each other.”
The free run is also made possible due to sponsors such as Medibank, which sponsored the establishment of the Woy Woy event, The Athlete’s Foot and Polar, and supporters such as Eukanuba, Contra, IPRO Hydrate and Blue Frog.
Events regularly have participants from the junior age group of 10 years old to the over eighties age group.
“We want to encourage people to run, jog or walk together, irrespective of their ability,” Duncan said.
For those who have performances in mind for the Woy Woy Parkrun, the female record is held by Therese Auton running 18:05 in 2022; the male record holder is Aidan Hobbs in a time of 14:45 in 2022; and the age graded record which accounts for age and gender, allowing athletes to compare results, is held by Thomas Diamond clocking 15:06, with a grade of 89.4 per cent, on Christmas day 2021.
People can join in Parkrun events across the globe, which all count towards their individual Parkrun participation record.
At Woy Woy Parkrun there are people who have made over 250 Parkrun appearances.
Duncan said her own Parkrun journey started at the Fingal Bay Parkrun in 2016 before she moved to the Central Coast.
All are invited to join the Parkrun community every Saturday at 8am at Lions Park Woy Woy.
During the time it has been operating, the Woy Woy event has seen 4,359 participants complete 20,192 Parkruns covering a total distance of 100,960 km along the shores of Brisbane Water.
Woy Woy Parkrun celebrates 150th event
And they’re off – more than 150 participants took part in the Parkrun
Source: Media release, Aug 26 Woy Woy Parkrun
Bodyboarder wins top-three spot in Australian titles
Ryley Hoile at the Australia Titles
BODYBOARDING Ryley Hoile has been bodyboarding for only just over two years, but his natural talent was on display to take out third place in the U16 division of the Australian Bodyboarding Titles.
The Titles were part of the Australian Surf Championships held at Port Macquarie beaches with about 500 surfers from around the country competing in a variety of events over 17 days throughout August.
Hoile, a Year 10 student at St Brigid’s Catholic College at Lake Munmorah, was representing his club North Central Coast Bodyboarders.
“I’m pretty stoked to say the least, and even to be competing in Port Macquarie for the Australian Titles,” he said.
“I’ve only been doing this sport for two-and-a-half years, and I wouldn’t have ever thought I’d be representing NSW for the sport I live for and love.
“It’s a massive thank you to my sponsors Inspired Bodyboarding, Australia Dunes and Little Wonder Digital for supporting me and helping me get there.
“Also a big thanks to my biggest supporters, Mum and Dad, because without them I wouldn’t be able to surf and practice as much as I do,” Hoile said.
Another member of North Central Coast Bodyboarders, Scott Kitchen, who now lives in Port Stephens but still represents the club, was placed third in the Drop Knee Division of the Titles.
President, Dave Castle, said the club was just weeks away from welcoming some of Australia’s best to the Central Coast for the Barron Viner Memorial Classic on September 17 and 18.
“It’s an annual event in honour of two of our members who have passed away, Matt Barron and Luke Viner, and it’s going to be the biggest bodyboard competition in Australia this year with about 110 surfers coming, some of them former champions,” he said.
“An ex local girl from Shelly Beach, Lilly Pollard, who’s a professional bodyboarder and won the Pipeline event this year, will be competing in the women’s division.
“It’s a pretty big event with some of the best surfers in Australia - the last time it was held in 2019 we had people from Japan and Brazil that year, but this year because of Covid I don’t think we’ll be getting any internationals.
“We’re hoping to hold it at Soldiers Beach again, but it depends on the waves on the day, or it could be at Lakes Beach or North Entrance as alternatives,” Castle said.
The Barron Viner Classic is the second leg of a series called the Memorial Triple Crown with other events held in Forster and culminating in October at Port Macquarie.
Bodyboarder Ryley Hoile in action
Erina Ice Arena officially opens
ICE SKATING The revamped Erina Ice Arena has officially opened following a $624,000 upgrade, with $592,000 funded by the NSW Government through its Regional Sport Facility Fund.
The project included improved accessibility to the entrance foyer; two upgraded universally designed disability bathrooms; two re-designed all gender change rooms; operationally efficient LED lighting; ice hockey netting; glass grandstand balustrade and an overhauled refrigeration plant.
Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast, Adam Crouch, said the upgrades will improve accessibility standards and cater for growth in female participation.
“Erina Ice Arena is a premier venue for ice sports and recreation on the Central Coast,” Crouch said.
“These upgrades will ensure even more people can take part in ice sports by providing inclusive facilities that support all residents to feel comfortable, safe and welcome when visiting the arena.
“In addition, the installation of the glass grandstand balustrade and netting means the venue can host more tournaments and competitions of national and international standard.
“Kicking off events with a bang, Erina Ice Area hosted the 2022 Sydney Synchronized Festival on August 26-28.”
Minister for Sport, Alister Henskens, said the NSW Government is committed to improving the quality and quantity of sports venues across NSW.
“Well-developed sporting facilities are an integral part of our community that help connect people and promote healthy lifestyles,” Henskens said.
“I’m delighted to support this project, providing the community and local sporting groups with access to quality, fit-for-purpose facilities that will meet current and future needs.”
