Sport Gippsland Times
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The 20s crew finished second at Lake Wendouree. Photo: Supplied
Water W ater D Dragons ragons ttaste aste ste s success uccess ONE of Sale's youngest sports teams, the Gippsland Water Dragons dragon boat club enjoyed a taste of success at the recent Ballarat regatta. Clubs from Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo, Warrnambool, Bairnsdale, Sale and Ballarat all travelled to compete on Lake Wendouree in the first fii dragon boat regatta held there for many years. The Gippsland Water Dragons took a team of 24 paddlers to compete in various events
including women's and mixed teams races over the 200 metre course. For several paddlers, this was their first fii regatta after joining the club only a few months ago. This was also the first fii competition for the clubs trainee sweeps (the steer persons) and the event was made even more challenging for all competitors by strong winds blowing up during the day. The paddlers’ hard work was rewarded with
Vice-president Gerard Condon and president Tracie Binger are ecstatic work has begun on the Briagolong tennis courts. Photo: Josh Farrell
New court project is taking shape Josh Farrell AFTER years of fundraising and fighting for new tennis courts, Briagolong tennis courts have finally been dug up in preparation for the installation of new courts. The new courts will cost $571,000 with contributions from Wellington Shire, the state government and the club its self raised $40,000. The need for new courts was identified by the club back in 2008 but cracking underneath the courts resulted in the need for the courts to be completely dug up and re-laid. The new facilities will consist of four tennis courts, the fourth will become a multi-purpose area which will incorporate tennis, netball, basketball and futsal. Fundraising for sporting clubs was already challenging enough let alone throughout a pandemic, but that did not stop the Briagolong Tennis Club according to president Tracie Binger. “The community got behind us, the support has been amazing,” Binger said.
“The Community Bank of Maffra and District, the Brigaolong Lions Club and Big Bear Donuts all contributed to our fundraising.” The club ran raffles utilising social media to engage with supporters and word of mouth to raise the $40,000. The new courts will have lights which will allow the club to host twilight tennis and will be aiming to host social competitions throughout the winter. For Binger and vice-president Gerard Condon this is the final piece of the puzzle in the upgrades for the reserve. "They have upgraded the rooms and the Pony Club is getting upgrades," Condon said. "We think once the courts are done our numbers will go up.” The former courts were built 50 years ago and the club hopes that these new courts can serve the Briagolong for the years ahead. "These upgrades are for generations to come," Condon said.
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a first fii place in the Mixed 10s race, second place in the Open 20s and third place in the Mixed 20s. Club president and coach Heather Watts said it was a great team effort and she was very pleased that all the hard work in the weeks leading up to the event had paid off so well. "It was also a great team bonding experience with club members enjoying a fun weekend away together," she said Men and women from 10 to 80 years old can
participatte in dragon boating and it is currently the fastesst growing grr sport in Australia. The Wa ater Dragons welcome enquiries from anyone wanting to give gii dragon boating a try ry y and offer a freee one month membership including coaching and use of equipment. The club trains four dayss per week located at the Port of Sale. You ca an contact the club by via email gii gippsland dwaterdragons@gmail.com, through the club website or Facebook page or call 0478 371 555 to arrange a come and try session.
