WEATHER

Northern Rivers District:

Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a storm. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Thursday. Mostly sunny morning. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the afternoon. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening.

Northern Tablelands District:

Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a storm. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening.

Thursday. Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. The chance of a storm in the south. Light winds becoming northwest to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon.

New South Wales:

Showers and storms possible throughout, though more likely in central and eastern areas. Storms potentially severe inland. Daytime temperatures near average in the east and above average elsewhere, most notably in the far west. Northwest to northeasterly winds inland, tending southeast to northeasterly near the coast.

Thursday. Scattered showers in the east, tending isolated in the west. The chance of storms inland, potentially severe in central areas. Daytime temperatures above average, most notably in the west. Northwest to northeasterly winds.

Byron Coast: Winds: North to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots tending east to north- easterly during the afternoon then tending northerly during the evening. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: Southerly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore south of Coffs Harbour during the morning. Weather: Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers. The chance of a storm. Coffs Coast:

Winds: North to northwesterly 10 to 15 knots tending east to northeasterly during the afternoon then tending northerly during the evening. Seas: Around 1 metre. Swell: Southerly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore south of Coffs Harbour during the morning. Weather: Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers. The chance of a storm.

Gold Coast Waters:

Winds: Northeasterly 10 to 15 knots. Seas: Below 1 metre. Swell: Easterly around 1 metre inshore, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres offshore. Weather: Mostly sunny.

Far North Coast beaches will get a little brighter as the Nippers season offcially splashes back onto the sand this weekend.

On Sunday, thousands of kids from across the region will throw on their signature pink rash shirts and dive into another summer of surf safety and fun, with Newcastle Permanent proudly supporting the program for another year.

Open to children aged fve to 14, the Nippers program is designed to teach essential skills like CPR, rescue techniques, and surf awareness while giving participants the chance to enjoy fun, beach-based activities in a safe environment.

Last season, over 1,800 young surf lovers joined the Far North Coast program, and this season is set to be just as exciting as the last.

David Parker, Branch and Lending Manager

BALLINA MAHJONG RESULTS – 11TH OCTOBER 2024

1. Margaret Bryant

2. Susan Allan

3. Joy Lowien

4. Vanessa Reynolds

5. Janene Jarvis

6. Val Heinritz

7. Jeanette Henwood

8. Lorna Simpson

9. Jan Small

10. Pauline Kearney

11. Ronda Taylor

12. Pauline Bolte

13. Sally Lowry

14. Lisa Wong

15. Rosemary Russell

16. Linda Lloyd

17. Wendy Thornton

18. Jan Boardman

19. Lesley Richie

20. Coral Lavelle

21. Barbara Ellan

22. Jan Henley

23. Valda Mclerie

24. Pam Farrel

25. Susan Scott

26. Shirley Atkinson

27. Cindy Smith

28. Yvonne Weddup

Mahjong is held every Friday at 12:30 PM at the Ballina Bridge Club, North Creek Road. New players are welcome. For enquiries, please contact Shirley at 0423 384 647.

CASINO WOMEN’S BOWLS RESULTS – WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2024 at Newcastle Permanent Ballina, said the organisation is thrilled to be supporting Nippers again.

“The iconic pink rashies are a symbol of learning safety and community –and we’re proud to help make them a reality for Nippers,” Mr Parker said.

“At Newcastle Permanent, we believe in supporting programs that provide lasting benefts for children and families.

“This season, we’re excited to see thousands of kids learning lifesaving skills while enjoying everything our beautiful beaches have to offer.”

David Rope, Director of Lifesaving at Surf Life Saving Far North Coast, said the program is designed to grow with the kids.

“Nippers is designed to make sure children not only have fun at the beach but also learn skills that will help them stay

The results of the social bowls on Wednesday were determined by the Lowest Margin format. Congratulations to the following teams:

• Judy Carthew, Raelene Skirrey & Ivy Watson defeated Jan Dwyer, Denise Grice & Kaye Jonsson.

• Carmel Doyle, Julie Creighton & Maria Hellyar triumphed over Tanya Maxwell, Chris Haynes & A. James.

If you’re interested in joining, Casino Women’s Bowls hosts social games every Wednesday from 9:00

AM to 12:00 PM. New members are always welcome!

CHERRY STREET CROQUET CLUB SPORTS RESULTS

Association Croquet:

• P. Hume & G. Porter defeated G. Drew 20-15.

Club Championships Handicap Singles:

• R. Chapman defeated S. Hume 11-9. Golf Croquet Division 1 Singles Club Championships:

• D. Scott defeated G. Porter 7-0.

• D. Scott defeated R. Chapman 7-3.

• R. Chapman defeated safe in and around the water,” Mr Rope said.

“From their frst time in the sand to becoming qualifed lifesavers, it’s a journey we’re proud to guide them on. Each season we see how the skills these kids learn beneft them and the wider community.”

“With the continued support of Newcastle Permanent – over 17 years strong – we’re able to offer this invaluable program to more families across the region.”

Nippers is held across 10 clubs in the Far North Coast, from Yamba to Fingal Head, and registrations are still open.

For more information, visit www.surfifesaving. com.au/nippers/.

Last year, Newcastle Permanent supported more than 10,000 Nippers across Surf Life Saving Clubs from the Central Coast to Queensland.

G. Porter 7-1.

Ricochet Croquet:

• B. Wellings & D. Scott defeated G. Drew & J. Hannigan 16-14.

• P. Scott & N. Watts defeated N. Barnes & M. Russell 13-9.

• P. Bolte & B. Bill defeated R. Allen 15-10. Sutherland Intercept Croquet Tournament:

• Singles: 1st: H. Young, 7th: W. Gilmore & C. Edlund.

• Doubles: 1st: W. Gilmore & D. Kang, 2nd: C. Edlund & J. Fallon, 6th: H. Young & D.

Australian Presidents Eights Association:

• First Eights: 1st: D. McCormick, 2nd: S. Forster, 3rd: G. Hill, 4th: M. Gidding.

• Second Eights: 1st: D. Luxmore, 2nd: K. Beard, 3rd: L. Kirk, 4th: D. Squire.

• Third Eights: 1st: L. Patullo, 2nd: T. Murphy, 3rd: J. White, 4th: F. Gelman White. Congratulations to all the participants!

Surfing Queensland

Sixteen of Queensland’s top boardrider clubs are gearing up for the Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle (ABB) regional qualifer this Saturday, October 12, on the Sunshine Coast. Among the competitors are reigning champions Burleigh Boardriders, alongside a lineup of skilled athletes, from rising juniors to seasoned World Championship Tour veterans.

The one-day event will see these talented surfers battle for a spot in the highly anticipated Hyundai ABB Grand Final, scheduled for March 8-9, 2025, at the

The Minns Labor Government is today delivering on an election commitment to provide record funding to NSW sports.

NSW sports will share in $20 million over the next two years with $10 million provided this fnancial year.

This program aims to increase grassroots sport participation by assisting sporting organisations deliver competitions and activities, improve athlete pathways, develop staff and improve management.

The funding will be delivered through the NSW Offce of Sport’s Organisation Support Program which provides an annual grant to eligible State Sporting Organisations (SSOs) iconic Burleigh Heads, QLD. Representing their local clubs with pride, the surfers will compete in a dynamic ‘tag team’ format, showcasing Queensland’s rich surfng culture.

The feld of competition includes a mix of well-established clubs from the Gold Coast, North Stradbroke Island, and the Sunshine Coast. Key surfers to watch include Sophie McCulloch (North Shore BRC), Sheldon Simkus (Snapper Rocks Surfriders), Chris Zaffs (North End BRC), Isla Huppatz (Burleigh BRC), and Raya Campbell (Snapper Rocks Surfriders).

The Hyundai ABB features a unique and State Sporting Organisations for People with Disability (SSODs). team-based competition, where clubs nominate fve surfers: 2x Open Men, 1x Open Woman, 1x Master (Over 35), and 1x Junior (Under 18). Surfers are scored on their best wave, and teamwork is critical as each must return to the beach to release the next team member into the water.

Applications for the Organisation Support Program will close Friday 29 November 2024.

The exact competition location will be announced at 6 a.m. tomorrow. For updates, follow Surfng Queensland’s social media channels @ surfng_queensland.

Event Schedule

– 2024/25 Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle Series 12:

• Event 1 – ABB WA: Sept 14, Trigg Beach,

For further information visit: https://www.sport. nsw.gov.au/grants/ organisation-supportprogram

Minister for Sport

Steve Kamper said:

“One of our key

WA

• Event 2 – ABB VIC: Oct 6, Phillip Island, VIC

• Event 3 – ABB QLD: Oct 12, Sunshine Coast, QLD

• Event 4 – ABB South Aus: Oct 19, Fleurieu Peninsula, SA

• Event 5 – ABB Tas: Oct 26, Clifton Beach, TAS

• Event 6 – ABB

NSW South: Nov 2, Wollongong, NSW

• Event 7 – ABB NSW Central: Nov 9, North Narrabeen, NSW

• Event 8 – ABB NSW North: Sept 28, Coffs Harbour, NSW

• Grand Final: March 8-9, Burleigh Heads, QLD (entry by qualifcation)

About Australian commitments when coming to offce was ensuring sporting organisations were better funded to support grassroots sport.

“Today we are delivering on that commitment by

Boardrider Clubs

Australia boasts over 230 boardrider clubs, fostering a strong grassroots surfng community. These clubs play a critical role in developing young surfers who often go on to represent the country on the world stage. Many of the competitions are held at premier surf locations like Burleigh Heads, offering an ideal training ground for future World Champions. In 2023, Surfng Australia expanded the ABB Grand Final format to include 42 clubs, up from 24, with more than $115,000 in prize money distributed throughout the series. The ABB regional qualifers also present three specialty providing record funding to NSW sport.

“A key part of this investment is supporting sports to provide fair, safe and inclusive environments that encourage increased participation.

“This comprehensive investment by the NSW Government in NSW sport will guarantee sustained success in the future.

“Thanks to this investment, NSW athletes will continue to dominate Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams and ensures that it will be a green and gold decade for our nation.”

Stuart Hodge, CEO, Sport NSW said:

“Sport NSW has long fought for fairer funding for our members and awards: the Jim Beam Club Spirit Award, Oakley Prizm Performer Award, and Boost Mobile Wave of the Day. The Hyundai Australian Boardriders Battle is proudly supported by Hyundai, alongside partners including Jim Beam, ACCIONA, Ruffe Rustic Foods, BC™ Protein Snacks, Kennards Hire, Oakley, Dometic, Boost Mobile, Blackroll, and Surfers for Climate. The Gold Coast Grand Final is backed by Experience Gold Coast and the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland. For more information, visit australian boardridersbattle.com. we are delighted the NSW Government has fulflled its commitment to increase core funding today.

“In 2022 Sport NSW released the Playing Catch up report which stated these payments had not increased since the year 2000 and, in some cases, NSW sports were receiving eight times less than their equivalent in other states.

“This much-needed funding boost will secure the fnancial future of our NSW state sporting organisations so they can focus on participation programs to allow more people to enjoy the benefts of involvement in sport.”

Harwood leg spinner

Jacob McMahon has bamboozled Coutts Crossing on the opening day of the Clarence River Cricket Association frst grade competition.

Jacob, the youngest of the three McMahon brothers playing for Harwood on Saturday, took 7/15 from 17 overs to put his team on front on day one and in pursuit of outright points.

Premiers Harwood rumbled Coutts for 103 and marched to a frst innings lead headed by an unbeaten half century to Coby Tabor, reaching 2/111 at stumps.

But the day started brightly for Coutts, who won the toss and chose to bat frst on an immaculately prepared Harwood Oval pitch.

Openers Tim Tilse, 22, and Beau Sevil 37, were in command taking the score to 61 before Harwood skipper Ben McMahon made his master stroke, introducing Jacob to the attack.

Almost immediately he made the breakthrough his team needed, getting Sevil hit a catch to Ben.

Then the carnage began.

For the addition of just two more runs he had the dangerous Jamie Firth caught for one and Scott Rankin for a duck. No batter after the openers reached double fgures as Harwood totally dominated at the bowling crease.

Harwood’s batters backed their bowling and felding effort, marching comfortably to 111/2 at stumps.

In addition to Tabor’s half century Matthew Farrell scored 25 and Ben McMahon was 20 not out.

It’s hard to see

Harwood missing out on outright points from here.

Quick runs on Saturday and then Coutts batters have to back up against McMahon’s leg breaks that so battled them in the frst innings.

There was also a strong family connection in the Tucabia team at Ulmarra Showground with veteran Chris Adamson and his 15-year-old son Myles taking the feld together.

The older Adamson created a legend for fery pace bowling in local and representative cricket over nearly two decades and Myles’ 3/19 from 6.2 overs on Saturday showed he is ready to follow that path. He came into the attack with his team in trouble as East’s freewheeling opening bat Shannon Connor had clubbed four sixes and a four in his 38 of the 58 opening partnership.

Myles had the other opening bat caught behind off his frst ball in frst grade and endured the misfortune of two more dropped catches in the over.

But the blame rests in the family as it was Chris who dropped one and he dropped the other.

The wicket cracked open the Easts batting, which slumped to 4-70 as the younger Adamson and Brad Chard 2/49 ripped into the middle order.

Chris Adamson was the ffth bowler Tucabia turned to and he showed his son how to mop up the tail.

He snared the wicket of Easts top scorer Aaron McFadyen for 47 and winkled out three of the last four to fnish with fgures of 4/35 from seven overs.

Tucabia’s opening bats

Brad Lloyd 3no and Tim

Bultitude 15no battled through a tough nine overs to make sure both returned next week for the run chase.

At Ellem Oval Lawrence is in a strong position in a rain affected game against South Services/Westlawn, reaching 4/131 when lightning forced players from the feld after 36 overs had been bowled.

The rain came soon after, meaning Lawrence will come out to bat on Saturday with Doug Harris 60no and Hayden Ensbey on 20 not out.

Veteran opening bat

Mark Ensbey also enjoyed the frst day of the season, scoring 25 in a solid opening partnership with Nathan Anderson, 12.

Souths Westlawn had been tight in the feld with veteran seamer Nathan Blanch, 1/28, not giving away much in an 11-over spell.

But the batting got on top and Harris and Ensbey had started to score freely just before players were forced from the feld.

Lawrence, last season’s beaten grand fnalists, are in a good position to push for quick runs and to make life diffcult for a re-building South Services batting line up.

Boxing Australia brought together some of the nation’s top Indigenous boxing talent for the inaugural National Indigenous Boxing Camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

Over the four-day camp, held from October 3-6, 16 boxers and seven coaches trained and stayed at the AIS as part of an initiative to recognise and develop Indigenous athletes.

Participants ranged in age and experience, including rising stars under 16 and Paris Olympian Callum Peters.

Ty Norman Cerminara, who attended as a coach while his son participated as a boxer, praised the camp for fostering connections among First Nations athletes and showcasing the support networks available to young talent.

“The best part for my son was the ability and opportunity to connect with athletes of the same culture and values. For myself, it was amazing to meet such a great group of athletes and connect with other Indigenous coaches as we all learn from each other - the support is just phenomenal,”

Cerminara said.

By creating a culturally enriched training environment on a national scale,

Boxing Australia aims to celebrate and uplift the achievements of Indigenous athletes, both nationally and internationally, fostering a legacy of excellence and cultural pride.

Nathan Carroll, fellow coach and former AIS scholarship holder, expressed his pride in being part of the camp, believing it will pave the way for future Indigenous athletes to enter the world of highperformance sport.

“The AIS facilities, coaching staff and methods are world-class, and to be able to share my knowledge as a coach and nurture and guide Australia’s next Indigenous talent to become Olympians gives me great pride and satisfaction,” Carroll said.

“This initiative by Boxing Australia can do so much for our people and change young Indigenous kids’ lives by giving them opportunities to achieve their dreams and open pathways for a better future.

“How do I know? It changed mine.”

The AIS will welcome more than 440 athletes from nine sports to campus this month alone for training camps.