Crusaders still in with a chance

Tipping things off at 5pm, the women have an uphill battle against the 13-1 Sea Eagles especially with young superstar Sara Matthews still sidelined with a left knee injury.

All is not lost however with current Sydney Flames veteran Rachel Maenpaa coming on as a mid-season addition to the team.

Maenpaa, who started her long and storied basketball career with the Central Coast Crusaders back in the early 2000s, brings size and savvy to replenish what the Crusaders are missing without Matthews.

The last time these two teams faced each other was in Manly back in March and the Crusaders were able to put up the most points out of any team so far in the season against the

Sea Eagles on their home turf.

A break in the action at 6.30pm will see a special oncourt ceremony for the Life Members before the men’s clash at 7pm.

The Crusaders men’s squad continues to struggle, having managed only three wins for the season despite finally acquiring US import Ajay Lawton two weeks ago.

Lawton, who was a part of the 2019 championship winning Crusaders squad, has not disappointed in his two games this season so far, putting up 27 points on 50 per cent shooting in the Crusaders’ dismal road loss in Canberra recently.

The Sea Eagles men’s squad is facing difficulties of its own, notching up just two wins for the season so far with one of them being against the Crusaders in Manly back in March.

This will be Lawton’s first game at Breakers Stadium since 2019 and he is eager to prove that his trip from the United States wasn’t all for nothing.

“This is my first game i Terrigal since that special season back in 2019,” he said.

“We lifted the hardware and it was a great milestone for myself and the team.

“We’re only a few games behind the eighth seed and it’s not too late to make a run for the title.

“That run starts this Saturday in front of the home crowd.”

New canoe for outriggers

Tarragal Outrigger Canoe

Club has conducted a blessing ceremony for its new canoe, obtained with thanks to $32,000 from the State Government’s Community Building Partnerships 2022 grants.

Club President Louise Vangestel said the grant had removed barriers for members of the club wanting to participate in paddling.

“It will enable the youth that we mentor from the Frank Baxter Centre, our Junior Program as well as ageing members of the club to participate in canoe paddling,” she said.

“As an Aboriginal culturebased club, we are delighted to be melding cultures and honouring the Polynesian roots of a traditional outrigger canoe blessing to awaken the canoe’s spirit and keep all those who paddle in it safe.”

In February, the club announced its program to help Aboriginal youth in detention access new sporting pathways through good behaviour.

The program, run in conjunction with the Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre, with equipment donated by VERTO, also provides a sense of culture and belonging and a pathway to improved mental health, while assisting with reintegration into society and reducing the probability of reoffending.

Vangestel said the club was pleased to offer the youth a sporting option outside of the usual rugby or ball sports.

“They feel that being on the water and learning about the ocean, the canoes and the outrigger family they are now a part of, will positively impact their mental health and motivate them to make better choices for the future,” she said.

Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch attended the blessing ceremony, held at The Haven.

“It is terrific that this local community organisation now has a much-needed, brand new lightweight canoe,” he said.

“Without the hard work of the Club President, Louise Vangestel, Vice President Kerry Miller and the team at the Club, this would not have been possible.

“Tarragal Outriggers are just one of the many success stories of these important grant programs like the Community Building Partnerships grant.”