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F3 Derby game a total washout
Matty Simon received a wet but heartfelt tribute at the stadium
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FOOTBALL The first scheduled game of the A-league season, the F3 Derby between the Central Coast Mariners and the Newcastle Jets was inundated by rain on Saturday evening and
Central Coast Stadium became a lake prior to the scheduled F3 Derby on Saturday evening
eventually cancelled.
Over 8,000 fans had gathered to watch the first match of the season at Central Coast Stadium, most crammed into the upper eastern undercover stands.
The F3 Derby has become one of the feature fixtures of the A-League season and always results in a passionate game as both sides vie for local supremacy.
This F3 Derby will be rescheduled, and ticket holders will be credited for the upcoming game, yet to be announced.
While match and stadium officials were assessing the grounds, a tribute was given to retiring Mariners veteran Matt Simon.
Simon who has been a pivotal player for the club for 15 years, playing as an imposing striker and enforcer.
Simon arrived at the club as a product of East Gosford Rams juniors in the local competition.
Because of his humble beginnings many regularly wrote him off, though Simon continued to score many goals and improve as a player during his long football career.
Simon’s accolades include three premierships, one championship, an FFA Cup and the title of all-time leading scorer for the Mariners.
David Abrahams
Volunteers needed to help disabled surfers
SURFING The Central Coast branch of the Disabled Surfers Association (DSACC) returns to Umina Beach on Saturday, November 12, with free volunteer training.
Following the cancellation of the past two seasons due to COVID-19 and adverse weather conditions, the organisation is looking to rebuild its volunteer base.
“Volunteering consists of helping participants to and from the beach and assisting them in and out of the water including tandem board riding,” a spokesperson said.
“We always need help with set up and clean up too.
“Volunteers do not need to know how to surf, they just need to be willing to get wet and have some fun.
“If you surf, it’s a bonus.”
The DSACC is a volunteer-run organisation which enables people of all ages and abilities to take part in one of Australia’s most popular pastimes, beach surfing.
Volunteers serve to provide a unique, safe, and happy surfing experience to a wide range of people with various disabilities who would otherwise be unable to access the beach.
To ensure safety, DSA has a very high volunteer to surfer ratio, with a minimum of 6 to 1 up to 30 to 1 for higher needs surfers.
The group only surfs in broken waves, in waist depth water.
The spokesperson said rash shirts will be provided on the day, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own wetsuits.
“Without volunteers we cannot run our events, so we need your help,” they said.
“New volunteers or returning volunteers wanting to refresh their skills can register via the Humanitix ticketing system.”
Sign in on November 12 will be upstairs at Umina Surf Life Saving Club from 8.45am for a 9 am start.
There will be a theory session followed by in the water training.
For more information on DSA, please visit http:// disabledsurfers.org.
