10 minute read
Sports
Our para-athletes prepare to shine on international stage
SAMANTHA ELLEY
Two very excited mums, Annette Sky and Kerry Wamstall sit on the sidelines of Riverview Park at South Lismore.
As the shadows lengthen against the setting sun, they are there to support their children, 15-year-old Malachi Canning and 16-year-old Caitlin Bargwanna, who are preparing for their athletics meet at the international Virtus Oceanic Asia Games in Brisbane on 5-12 November.
“(We are) excited that they’ve been chosen in an Australian team,” said Annette.
“They are para athletes and (these games are) only for athletes with intellectual impairment.”
While Malachi has foetal alcohol syndrome, ADHD, hearing impairment and a number of other issues, Caitlin has autism.
Both are trying for various athletics events, including sprints, long jump, shotput discus and javelin.
“Malachi has very little competition in Australia so for him it will be good to see where he sits on the world stage,” said Annette.
“And this is the lead up to the global games in France next June.”
While battling regular dialysis treatments Kerry has found it diffcult to get Caitlin to her meets.
“I’ve only started dialysis in the last three years so it’s been really hard for me to get her to competitions,” said Kerry.
“But there’s been a level in growth as she’s been attending competitions usually with the support of her brothers.”
There is no doubting the dedication of both Malachi and Caitlin to their sports.
“Malachi already holds an Under 20 record and he currently holds fve Australian records for his classifcation,” said Annette.
“Under 15 and Under 17 Long Jump, Under 17 Discus and Under 17 and Under 20 shotput.”
They have both been competing since they were eight-years-old.
Malachi is a young man of very few words but his face lights up when he talks about the dedication to his sports.
“(When I don’t train) I workout,” he said.
“I do push ups, sit ups, chin ups, 3k-4k runs on the treadmill.”
Caitlin admitted to being very nervous but excited about the upcoming games.
“I am hoping to achieve a personal best in all the events: discus, shot put and javelin and a chance to go to France,” she said.
Fundraising is the biggest concern for Annette and Kerry and while joking about robbing a bank or winning lotto, they know this will be the biggest hurdle for their sporting teenagers.
“I’ve put an application to the Lord Taverner’s for some assistance,” said Kerry.
“And I’m going through the Local Sporting Heroes.”
Annette has approached both Federal MP Kevin Hogan and State MP Janelle Saffn.
If a local company is willing to support or sponsor these two young teenagers in their frst international competition, you can contact The Northern Rivers Times.
SPORTS RESULTS
BALLINA MAHJONG 19th August 2022 Joy Lowien 1, June Greenaway 2, Lorna Simpson 3, Gail McDonagh 4, Pam Farrell 5, Margaret Bryant 6, Shirley Atkinson 7, Susan Scott 8, Sally Lowry 9, Jan Small 10, Gladys D’Anna 11, Jan Rhodes 12, Lisa Wong 13, Diana Auret 14, Valda McLerie 15, Bev Lasater 16, Susan Allan 17, Kathy Pickles 18, Wendy Thornton 19, Jan Henley 20, Val Heinritz 21, Pauline Kearney 22, Shirley Henry 23. Mahjong is played on Friday at 12:30pm at the Ballina Bridge Club North Creek Road. Enquiries for new players phone Vanessa on 66874181.
CASINO RSM WOMEN’S BOWLS Wednesday 17/8 We had 2 rinks for social bowls this morning, the results & winners for the day were: J. Creighton & M. Mead def D. Skinner & I. Watson. The other rink winner was: C. Doyle, A. McLean & K. Jonsson def R. Skirrey, N. Moran & H. Lavelle, it was a very close game with the winners winning by 1 shot. Friday 19/8 C. Doyle, N. Moran, D.Skinner & J. Creighton def C.Doyle, I. Watson, J. Carthew & A. McLean. Winners won by 3 shots. A. McLean & I. Watson are rostered on for selection for September. Casino Social Golf Results 21-08-2022 The Winners on Sunday were Stephen Shephard & Fred Bruni with a stableford score of 46 points from Garry Randall & Gary Skennar with 44. The Players draw went to F.Bruni. Nearest to pins:8th, G.Randall. 10th & 13th, T.Jenkins.14th, Vinny. 15th & 17th, D.Hampson. 16th, S.Shephard. 18th, J.Rankin. Next Sunday’s event sponsored by Just Brakes And Exhaust Casino is yet to be determined but visitors are welcome to play with hit off from 6-30am till 7-30am Cherry Street Croquet Club: Maurie Russell Division 3 Ricochet Singles Club Champion Runner Up Robbie Allen.
CHERRY STREET CROQUET CLUB ASSOCIATION CROQUET: S.Hume L.Hardy 17 d P.Hume B.Hardy 9. C.Woodlands G.Porter 11 d G.Drew B.Reddy 5. P.Waters 7 d B.Waters R.Chapman 7 RICOCHET CROQUET: N.Watts N.Poynting 16 d B.Waters C.Edlund 7 J.Doust R.Poynting 14 d B.Wellings J.Hannigan 5 G.Kerr G.Porter 10 d P.Waters D.Scott 6 Club Singles Championships: Div 2 P.Scott 14 d G.Drew 10. Div 3 M.Russell 13 d R.Allen 6. P.Scott R.Poynting 12 d N.Watts M.Russell 8 N.Barnes J.Doust 10 d R.Allen B.Wellings 6 R.Chapman 10 d G.Kerr D.Scott 9. C.Lane M.Field 12 d A.Kelly J.Hannigan 9 GOLF CROQUET: F.Frederiksen d C.Edlund, J.Dorward d D.Jones. R.Poynting d D.Casey, N.Poynting d W.Peters. N.Barnes d S.Scott, R.Allen d B.Wellings. J.Hannigan d J.Copeland,G. Porter d M.Russell. R.Allen d R.Poynting, F.Frederiksen d G.Frederiksen J.Hannigan N.Barnes, N.Poynting d J.Dorward N.Poynting d J.Dorward, G.Porter d F.Frederiksen
Semi fnals: J.Hannigan 7 d R.Allen 5. N.Poynting 7 d G Porter 5
EVANS HEAD WOMENS BOWLS - Ladies Social Day - 17-08-22 - Lucky Rink - Winners - J. Beckett, J. Sutcliffe, K. Robson. Runners/up - S. Carter, D. Tiller, P. Weller. 3rd Place - M. Carey, S. Hill, B. Montague.
LISMORE WORKERS SPORTS BOWLING CLUB Tues, Winners P Gray, B Winker---R Walker, A Wilson, Greg Rose---J Fowler, W Paryridge Sat Winners Jane Ros, Joy Piper, R Partridge--B Turner, K Morrow, R Hoskin ---W Partridge, R Campbell, M Taylor
Rebels storm home to snatch epic victory
GARY NICHOLS
There were dramatic scenes at McKittrick Park on Saturday in the Group 2 elimination semi-fnal after the South Grafton Rebels snatched a thrilling come-frombehind 34-30 victory over the Grafton Ghosts.
Down 30-22 with sixminutes left on the clock, and with their season on the line, two pieces of individual brilliance sent the Rebels’ faithful into a frenzy and in doing so, saw the Rebels advance to next week’s elimination fnal.
Firstly, rookie halfback Jordan Gallagher rolled the dice 10-metres out from the Ghosts line with a well-weighted grubber kick to score out wide. Nicholas McGrady made no mistake with the conversion to give the Rebels’ supporters a glimmer of hope.
Then, in the shadows of full-time, veteran fve-eighth Hughie Stanley chipped-kicked from inside his own half Cudgen Surf Notes
Our young team that did well at the Qld. Pool Rescue Titles did a repeat at the Australian held at the Southport Aquatic Centre. Silver Medal. U/13 Obstacle Race – Phoenix Preston.
Bronze Medal U/12 50m Swim with Fins – Tim Wellm; U/12 Obstacle Race – Tim Wellm; U/13 25 Brick Carry – Phoenix Preston; U/12/U/13 4 x 25 Brick Carry Relay – Phoenix Preston, Tim Wellm, Jake Tickle, Jack Cross; U/12/U13 4 x 50m Obstacle Relay – Phoenix Preston, Tim Wellm, Jake Tickle, Jack Cross:
They also had 8 x top 6 fnishes and 9 top 10 across the two day event. The annual election of our Life Saving Committee will be held on Friday 25th August in the training room at 6.00 pm followed by the Surf Sports Committee.
Any member interested in joining our Emergency Call-out team please contact Matt
providing a room-service bounce for a fying Waylon Caldwell who returned the favour with a deft kick in goal for Stanley to score the match-winner centimetres from the Ghosts’ dead ball line. The Ghosts were gallant in defeat and were arguably the better side in the second half. Fierce forward exchanges dominated the game but, in the end, South Grafton’s unpredictable attack proved the difference between the two sides.
The Rebels got off to the perfect start when centre Thomas McGrady split the Ghosts defence and found Thomas Walker in support to go to an early 6-0 lead.
And not long after Grant Brown found the chalk to extend the home side’s lead to 12-0.
Unforced errors began to creep into the Rebels game inviting the Ghosts back into the contest, and the visitors took full advantage through tries to star centre Dylan Collett and captain Todd Cameron.
Rebels’ winger Brian QuinlIn-Randall provided his side with some much-needed breathing space when he crossed over in the corner, and when Nick McGrady slotted his third conversion the home side went to the break 18-12. Nicholas McGrady stretched the lead to 22- 12 after a barnstorming run 10m-out from the Ghosts’ line, however, the Ghosts reawakened the contest through tries to Adam Slater, Cameron Winters and Collett to take what looked like an unassailable lead.
Rebels’ frst grade coach Ronald Gordon admitted his side got out
Bell by 5.00 pm on 26th August. Looking ahead our nipper registrations online commence on 1st September. Saturday 10th and 17th September pool profciencies will be held at the Kingscliff pool, 10.00 am to 12.00 with online registration support available at the Surf Club, same time. Opening of the season will be 16th October. The Junior “Cudgen Classic” Carnival returns after an absence of two years due to COVID and border closure, and will be held on 22nd October with the Senior Carnival the next day. Also returning of jail but added their ability to regroup in the dying minutes was a credit to the team.
“Mate, I was defnitely worried with 10 to go,” a relieved Gordon said after the match. “Credit must go to the Ghosts; they played unbelievable footy today and they were well under strength. I was concerned if we could regroup as a is the Trans Tasman Competition between the representative teams of New Zealand and N.S.W. Country, three carnivals between 2nd and 6th January in the F.N.C. Branch. The annual election of the Club Life Saving and Surf Sports Committee will be held this Thursday at the Club with a 6.00 pm start. The Coldies will host their annual carnival this Sunday with members from fve clubs competing for the side.
“Last week, against Woolgoolga, we failed to do that, but this week we turned that around.”
It’s no secret the Rebels are known for their attacking arsenal but fnding the right balance and when to attempt the high-risk plays has been a fne line for Gordon to juggle.
“It’s hard to fnd the righty balance, the boys love playing attacking football,” Gordon said. “I suppose sometimes as a coach I try and handcuff them as much as I can and at times, I can be a bit of a hindrance.
“But if you are going to win a game, you might as well do it in style like the boys did today.”
It was a successful day all round for the Rebels winning frst grade, reserve grade, women’s League Tag and the under-18s
“Crab” Shield. Water temperature 19° for their swim last Sunday with nearest to nominated time to Mikaela Dew from Charlie Buchanan and Russell Zahn.
The N.S.W. board riding titles will be held at Merewether on September 3rd – 4th. Nominations close this Sunday. The 22-23 Patrol Season starts on the 24th September with the “Raising of the Flags” being held at Evans Head S.L.S.C.
The perfect wave .. almost
MARGARET DEKKER
Tweed Coast surfer Nathan Hedge has cemented his icon status in world surfng after a stunning 9.87 score on arguably the wave of the event at Teahupo’o Tahiti over the weekend. 43-year-old Hedge ‘Hog’ knocked out world’s #1 and #2, Filipe Toledo of Brazil and Australia’s Jack Robinson to reach the quarter-fnals before he was pipped by World #8 Caio Ibelli from Brazil in sensational competition that drew hollers of admiration and splashes of joy from the loving crowd.
Hog last competed at ‘Chopes’ in 2014 where he scored a perfect 10 then retired .. until this comeback glory on a very wild card. Speaking moments after the breathtaking 8-foot drop down the face of a “big and perfect” beast, and sublime recovery from near wipe-out, Nathan said,
“I just got pitted off me head! .. I was in a corner, but I just had to keep believing.”
The 2022 WSL Champion will be decided at Trestles in California next month. @yourlocal
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