Hunter Sports Magazine #2 June 2016 by Hunter Sports Magazine

fr ee june 2016

Great Scott, he’s made it! Olympic dream comes true

Hunter’s on-court action Top flight netball in town

Show of Strength Teen off to world titles

K MAR S E K MA GRIDIRON h u n t e r s p o r t s m a g . c o m . a u

contents career best finish for jackson baker �� 7

news.................................................................................. 3 health & fitness...................................................9 feature.........................................................................12 knights.......................................................................... 14

powerlifting

futsal............................................................................16 jets...................................................................................17 in pictures..................................................................18 road to rio............................................................ 20 rugby league........................................................ 22 rugby union............................................................ 23

kitted out

Community.............................................................. 26 events.......................................................................... 28 hall of fame........................................................ 30

junior sport

history.........................................................................34 on the Box..............................................................35

There’s a question that hangs over any new venture –

will this work? Do I have what it takes to achieve my goals … and fulfill my dreams?

Another new venture being explored in this issue is the region’s newest rugby league club – the Hunter Stars.

They were certainly the questions I asked myself when, after years of thinking about it, I finally took the plunge and decided to create Hunter Sports Magazine.

Playing its inaugural season in the Sydney Metro Women’s competition, it was born out of the passion of a few determined Hunter league fans who didn’t want the women of this region to miss out on an opportunity to have a team of their own.

I was proud of what we were able to create with the first issue and was thrilled by the great feedback and support I have received since it hit the streets last month. So it seems only fitting that our second issue is also looking at new ventures within the Hunter’s sporting community. Our feature this month explores the growing tide of interest in gridiron across the region, which has led to the creation of the region’s first gridiron league, as well as increasing numbers of players wanting to join the Newcastle team that competes in the NSW competition.

We also look at a new initiative bringing elite-level coaching for female rugby union representative players from its home in the city and spreading it across regional areas around NSW, including Newcastle. Added to that is plenty of news, profiles, advice, interviews and event previews, which we’re sure will keep you busy on and off the sporting field for the rest of the month! Cheers, Michelle Meehan

Website: www.huntersportsmag.com.au Editor: Michelle Meehan, 0438 325 303, editor@huntersportsmag.com.au Advertising inquiries: advertise@huntersportsmag.com.au Cover photography: Image courtesy of Tommy Larkin. Graphic Design: Jason Higgs 2

Contributors: Valentine Sports Photography, Ethos Health, Hunter Healthy Spines, Newcastle Knights, Newcastle Jets, Mossy & Robbo, Hunter Academy of Sport, Clive McDonald Photography, Pedro Martinez, NRL.com, Precious Moments by Christine & Garry Simmonds, WSL. Publisher: Michelle Meehan Media, Po Box 3358 Thornton NSW 2322

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

Published monthly by Michelle Meehan Media. All rights reserved. Permission to reprint or quote excerpt must be obtained by contacting the publisher. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented however Hunter Sports Magazine and Michelle Meehan Media accept no liability for any damage or loss that has occurred or may occur as a result of any statement, information or advice contained within this magazine.

news & views

Sangha

steps up after stunning summer It seems life on the pitch just keeps getting better for Wallsend product Jason Sangha, with the 16-year-old etching his name into the NSW cricket history books. Sangha’s rise up the ranks began with his selection in the NSW under 15s Schoolboys team in 2015, followed by stints in the Cricket Australia Invitational teams at the under 17s and under 19s National Championships. He then played three under-19 One Day Internationals for Australia against New Zealand and Pakistan, and became the youngest player in 90 years to play for NSW in a Second XI or Toyota Futures League match. The former Wallsend District Cricket Club first grader, who in December made his Sydney grade cricket debut with RandwickPetersham, capped off a

brilliant summer by becoming the youngest player in history last month to be offered a NSW State Rookie Contract. Sangha, who will juggle his Blues training with his Year 11 studies at Hunter Sports High, was also named last month in the under-17 ACT/NSW Country Academy Squad. Coby Cornish, Patrick Montgomery, Tyson Rennie (Central Northern) and Sam O’Sullivan (Newcastle) also made the U17s squad.

Pic courtesy of Cricket NSW

Newcastle in Round 1 this season, but also remain eligible to play in the Under 20s competition. On the other end of the experience spectrum, Knights forward Jeremy Smith has announced he will retire from the NRL at season’s end.

Retiring Newcastle Knights skipper Jeremy Smith with his kids. Photo courtesy of newcastleknights.com.au

Youth and experience making news at Knights The 2016 NRL season has become a milestone year for a trio of Newcastle Knights players. Young guns Daniel and Jacob Saifiti have been offered oneyear extensions to their existing contracts, which will see them

The club’s co-captain, who is the oldest player in the NRL at 36, has played with four different clubs during his impressive career, notching up two premierships and countless representative appearances for New Zealand and the NRL All Stars. “It has been an amazing ride, and while I will have a bit more time to look back when it is all done, I am proud to have achieved what I have in my career,” Smith said.

remain with the Knights until the end of the 2018 season.

“There are a lot of players who have played more games than I have and haven’t had the chance to play in grand finals let alone win one.

The 20-year-old twins both made their first grade debuts for

“It has certainly been a privilege and honour to play this game.”

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

news & views

Federal Labor Candidate for Paterson Meryl Swanson, Weston Bears President Rod Henderson and Federal Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon.

• Maitland FC ($2000) - Coaching accreditation and skills training.

Funds flow into Hunter clubs The wish lists of Hunter sporting clubs have been granted in the latest rounds of government funding, giving the green light to projects including improved lighting, club jerseys, a turf wicket and accessible seating. A series of successful grant applications have been announced by Federal Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon and the State Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison. The Federal funding, which comes under the Stronger Communities Program, will see the Weston Bears Football Club given $20,000 to help them build an accessible, raised viewing area opposite the existing grandstand at Rockwell Automation Park to cater for people with mobility issues. The NSW Government is also injecting $50,000 into projects put

forward by 10 Maitland sporting groups under the 2016 Local Sport Grant Program: • East Maitland Bowling Club ($8408) - Installation of an automated irrigation system on the golf course practice fairway. • East Maitland Junior RLFC ($5000) - Purchase of training equipment and team jerseys.

• Thornton Junior FC ($2024) Purchase of portable sideline shelters for players. • Thornton/Beresfield RLC ($1230) Purchase of camera and equipment for registration requirements, publicity, training and coaching. • Western Suburbs Schoolboy RLFC ($5000) - Purchase of club uniforms and subsidised registrations. • Raworth Rabbitohs Cricket Club ($6809) - Installation of a turf pitch at Beryl Humble Sporting Complex. • Lochinvar Rovers FC ($10,000) Upgrade of field lighting on the eastern side of main ground at Jack Lane Fields. • Maitland Basketball Association ($6809) - Upgrade of stadium lighting at Maitland Federation Centre.

• Hunter Hockey Association ($2720) Hunter Hockey representative team uniforms.

Novocastrian in line for

national duties A call-up to the Socceroos squad has capped off a strong year in the goals for Newcastle’s Mark Birighitti. The talented shot-stopper was named by head coach Ange Postecoglou in the 23-player squad for The Dodoni Series international matches against Greece, to be played on June 4 in Sydney and June 7 in Melbourne. He was also called into the previously announced squad for the Socceroos’ match-up against England in Sunderland on May 28, replacing an injured Mitch Langerak. The selection will see Birighitti back in the green and gold for the 4

first time in three years, having previously made his Socceroos debut under coach Holger Osieck in 2013, when he played against China in the East Asian Cup. It comes on the back of a solid Hyundai A-League season for the Jets’ gloveman, who was named as Newcastle’s 2015/16 Club and Member’s Player of the Year, as well as the recipient of the Men of

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

Football’s Ray Baartz Medal. He was subsequently included in the A-League’s Team of the Year, having recorded three clean sheets and 98 saves (the second highest in the A-League) during his 26 matches this season.

news & views

Entries are

off & racing Runners gearing up for the Winery Running Festival may have to wait until next month to get out of the starting blocks – but there is one thing they can do now to get the jump on their competition.

ntries are open for the 11th annual version of the event, which like a fine wine continues to improve with age. Runners can set themselves for one

The next generation of athletes is also catered for with a fun Kids Marathon, which can be entered as either a stand‑alone 2km run or as part of the Kids Marathon program, where kids run 5km per week for eight weeks to accumulate 40km before completing their marathon journey at the running festival.

of five different distances – from the grueling 52.5km Ultra Marathon to the 42.2km Winery Marathon, 21.1km Half Marathon, Winery 10.3km and the more relaxed 5km Winery Wander.

surrounds of the Hunter Valley Gardens Village in Pokolbin on July 23 and 24. Earlybird fees vary depending on the distance and start at $25 for the Kids Marathon, but entries must be received online before June 26. Visit wineryrun.com for more information.

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news & views

the event was expanded this year to include art and dance workshops and Try a Deadly Skill workshops. NRL Ambassador George Rose, past and present Hunterbased Indigenous Women’s All Stars and Australian Jillaroos representatives Emma and Julie Young also took part in the Q&A discussion. Feeney has studied a number of TAFE certificates throughout his rugby league career and is currently completing his Diploma in Community Services.

NRL stars share

stories to inspire Newcastle Knights players have shared their journeys to success in a bid to encourage Indigenous students to claim their own “deadly dream”. NRL stars Dane Gagai, Jaelen Feeney and Robbie Rochow took part in a Q&A session with more than 170 indigenous Years 10 to 12 students at Hunter TAFE’s second annual education event last month. Called ‘Deadly Skills - It’s Your Future, Claim It’, the initiative is a collaboration between Hunter

TAFE, the Aboriginal Learning Circle (Hunter) and the Newcastle Knights and was launched in 2015 to coincide with the NRL’s Indigenous Round. Designed to empower Indigenous young people to pursue education as part of their future,

He said he understood the value of education – particularly given that on average, a NRL player will only take to the field for 25 games during their career – and hoped he could inspire other indigenous students to pursue their academic dreams. Aboriginal Learning Circle Director, Lillian Gordon said the event was all about youth empowerment. “The Deadly Skills event is about collaboration between education, sport and the broader community to empower Aboriginal youth with knowledge and insight into educational opportunities, the importance of cultural identity and learning from role models in our community,” she said.

Injured horse breeder back on home turf Former Aberdeen horse breeder Doug Moore has marked a milestone in his long road to recovery after being allowed to return home. The popular harness racing identity, who moved from Aberdeen to set up Brooklyn Lodge near Bathurst in 1999, suffered serious injuries when he fell 6m while working at his property in October last year.

of vertebrae, which has left him paraplegic.

The accident saw him break his ribs and jaw and, more devastatingly, damaged a number

Moore’s rehabilitation program has seen him increase the strength in his arm and his

But finally, after seven months in hospital, Moore has been released to continue his rehabilitation at home.

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

shoulders and while he will need the assistance of carers now he has returned home, the passionate horse breeder is reportedly keen to get back to the track as soon as he can.

news & views

Merewether’s Jackson Baker in action at the Bali Pro. Pic credit: WSL / Ridenour.

Baker on a

wave of

success In a competition littered with surfing heavyweights such as Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow and Bruce Irons, Merewether’s Jackson Baker thought he’d be happy just to make it through the first few rounds.

ut after surfing what he called some of the “best waves of his life”, the 18-year-old naturalfooter was over the moon to secure a career-highlight third place in the Komune Bali Pro at Keramas last month.

Q1: How old were you when you started surfing and who taught you to surf? I started surfing with my dad at the age of four and started to competitively surf from the age of eight! I have loved it ever since

Baker progressed through to the quarter-finals after placing second behind Parkinson in his round four heat before overcoming fellow Aussie Sheldon Simkus, only to be knocked out by the Central Coast’s Shane Holmes in the semi-final of the WQS 1000 event.

Q2. Who was your surfing hero growing up and why? My surfing hero growing up was my dad Guy, he taught me everything I know! He would take me to the beach every morning and afternoon, before and after school! He would sit on the beach and film me and would always make sure I was having fun, which is the most important thing.

Holmes went within a whisker of wrapping up the whole thing before Burrow pipped him at the post with a last-minute 9.67 wave to defend his Bali Pro title. Fresh from his success, which moved him up the World Qualifying Series rankings to 102, Baker kindly took the time out to answer the Hunter Sports Half Dozen.

Q5. Next comp you’re preparing for? I’m heading to Japan on the 18th of May! It’s a WQS 6000 event, I can’t wait for it!!

2. I love watching movies and just relaxing.

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Getting a third place in the Komune Bali pro WQS1000 event in Bali at a wave called Keramas! The waves were amazing every day of the event and there were guys like Joel Parkinson, Taj Burrow and Bruce Irons competing.

Best break would either be my home break Merewether or Pit Stop Hill in the Mentawais! Merewether because I’ve surfed it my whole life

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news & views

Grand farewell as venue upgrade begins

More than 80 years of Maitland rugby league history will come to an end – temporarily – when the Pickers move out of their traditional home this month.

he Pickers were scheduled to play their final match at Maitland Sportsground on May 28 before shifting temporarily while the venue undergoes a multimillion dollar overhaul. The State Government committed $5.6 million dollars from the Hunter Investment and Infrastructure Fund in 2014 towards a fourstage upgrade of the venue, with Maitland City Council chipping in a further $3 million.

The facility will also include new change rooms, public amenities and a canteen. With the project not expected to be completed until mid next year, the Pickers have been forced to seek an alternative home for the rest of this Newcastle Rugby League season and possibly some or all of the next.

The first stage of those works will get underway this month when the existing grandstand pavilions are removed from the ground.

To accommodate the changes, most of Maitland’s home matches were scheduled early in the draw, with the Pickers set to host their rivals just twice more this season – in their round 10 match against Kurri Kurri on June 25 and the round 15 showdown against Souths on August 13.

North Construction and Building will then set about constructing a new single facility, large enough to seat 1100 footy fans.

Those matches will be played at Telarah’s Coronation Oval, where the Pickers will also train for the rest of the year.

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

The club is reportedly looking to hold talks with Kurri Kurri Rugby League Club and Maitland Rugby Club about the possibility of using Kurri Sportsground or Marcellin Park for home games during the 2017 season. Aside from temporarily forcing them to move their matches, the upgrade has also brought about the removal of another piece of history – plaques erected on the front of the grandstands by the Pickers Old Boys in memory of former Maitland Club President John Newcombe and the club’s most faithful supporter, Gordon “Sparra” Farrow. The Old Boys are hoping to find a home for them in the new grandstand.

health & fitness

Sweep away sugar-coated

confusion Sugar is the topic of best-selling books, diets and movies. It is blamed as the major cause of the diabetes and obesity epidemics. But is there any basis for these claims? There is no doubt sugar contributes to poor health when consumed in excess.

Sugar is not solely to blame for the diabetes and obesity epidemics.

It contributes to weight gain and rots our teeth. More than one million Australians have type 2 diabetes, fuelled by overeating and a lack of exercise.

All calories are equal, that’s thermodynamics. You can’t gain weight unless there’s more energy going into your body than you need over the course of the day. Whether those calories are from sugar, fat, protein or alcohol, they all count equally.

The World Cancer Research Fund says that when it comes to preventing cancer, being as lean as possible without being underweight is at the top of the list. At number three, even ahead of eating more vegetables, is advice to limit consumption of energy-dense (high in fat and/or sugar) foods and drinks.

People often say that they’ve lost weight and all they did was to ‘cut out sugar’. Is it that simple? On further discussion, they’ve cut out LOTS of things that contain sugar. They’ve removed added sugar AND the fat and

Ethos Health offers physiotherapy, dietetic and exercise physiology services from our Newcastle and Lake Macquarie practices. Call 4962 8700 for details or see www.ethoshealth.com.au refined carbohydrates that often accompany sugar. This combination creates the energy deficit we need to lose weight. Sugar is only part of the problem and focusing on sugar alone makes it easy to overlook other culprits. If you cut out processed foods with added sugar, you cut out OTHER things as well.

If you quit sugar, you automatically cut out these combinations, which explains the weight loss.

For more information about the program visit www.ausport.gov.au/participating/ playsportaustralia

Skipper says to

stick with sport He was in the Hunter in recent months helping raise funds for grassroots rugby programs and now Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore is hoping to convince more kids to stick with sport. Moore has teamed up with another of Australia’s leading sporting captains – the

Consider high-sugar food as a marker for highly processed food that contains bad fats, refined starches and additives. It’s this combination of ingredients that‘s the real enemy because the result is food that’s high in energy, low in fibre and easy to overeat.

Diamonds’ Laura Geitz – to urge teenagers to keep playing sport rather than drop out.

The Stick With It campaign is an initiative of the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) designed to address the alarming rate of teenagers aged 13 to 17 giving up sport. The high profile sports stars delve into the motivations that made them continue to kit up all through their school years and beyond.

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

“When I played rugby at school, I probably wanted to be a cricketer more than a rugby player,” Moore said. “Try every sport you can – there’s so many great sports out there you can participate in. If one sport is getting a little bit tough then maybe give another sport a go and you might find one you really enjoy.” 9

health & fitness

Recipe of the month:

Cherry Choc Slice INGREDIENTS:

Chocolate Topping: ½ cup cacao powder ½ cup Coconut Magic coconut oil, melted ¼ cup Coconut Magic coconut nectar Pinch vanilla bean powder Pinch of pink salt

Base: 10 x Medjool dates, pitted and soaked for 4 hours ¼ cup flax seeds ¼ cup sunflower seeds 1 tbs maca powder 2 tbs cacao powder ¼ tsp vanilla bean powder

DIRECTIONS:

Filling: 1 cup Coconut Magic desiccated coconut ¾ cup Coconut Magic coconut oil 1 ½ cups frozen cherries 1 tbs Coconut Magic coconut nectar

Base: 1. Blend all ingredients in a food processor until it forms a ball. 2. Press the mixture into a pan lined with baking paper and refrigerate.

Looking for a way to satisfy your sweet tooth with the benefit of a superfood? Whip up a batch of this Cherry Choc Slice, which comes courtesy of The Healthy Coconut by Jenni Madison. Filling: 3. Process all ingredients until well combined. This forms the second layer of the slice – press this on top of the base. 4. Return slice to fridge. Chocolate Topping: 5. Blend all ingredients. This makes the third layer of the slice. 6. Return slice to fridge or freezer for a few minutes before slicing into narrow pieces. Tip: Servings: 10 – 12 slices. Preparation time: 30 minutes, cooling time: 10 - 15 minutes, soaking time: four hours.

The Healthy

Coconut by Jenni Madison The Healthy Coconut is a simple guide to incorporating the amazing benefits of coconut into your daily lifestyle. Written by Jenni Madison, who first discovered the health benefits of coconuts while living in Thailand, the book features more than 100 whole food, plantbased and gluten-free recipes, bursting with coconut goodness and superfood nutrition. Jenny shows readers how to use

coconut to receive maximum health and beauty benefits, and toxin free-living. Just one scoop of virgin coconut oil delivers a wide-range of healing properties. Whether you have chronic fatigue, weight problems, digestive or skin issues, or just want to give your body a good cleanse and boost your energy, The Healthy Coconut is your one-stop coconut bible! The Healthy Coconut, Rockpool Publishing, RRP: $34.95

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

health & fitness

If key muscle groups aren’t working when they should, in the correct sequence, we will get problems. It’s not bad luck, its basic movement science. So, what can you do about it? 1. Undergo a functional movement screen to analyse movement patterns.

First move well,

2. Have the movement demands of your exercise or sport analysed.

then move often

3. Correlate findings to see if these two match up, or if there are any shortcomings.

An athlete came into see me recently asking ‘Why does one person break down or get injured whilst another is able to constantly perform? Is it luck … or is there more to it?’

Recommendations can then be made to correct any issues so that the athlete can continue to train successfully within their ‘sweet spot’.

During training or competition, movement of the body results in an exertion of force onto the body over time. There is a ‘zone of homeostatic loading’, a ‘sweet spot’ between training volume and rest. After exercise, a little bit of discomfort is OK, and shows we have worked hard. But there is a difference between that and injury pain, where we have overdone it. Each person is different, but if the body is overloaded unevenly through exercise, eventually we can get degradation of connective tissue and the joints may suffer.

Ultimately this can lead to more serious injury.

The likelihood of injury is minimised and the foundation for success can be laid.

Studies on cyclists have shown those whose pelvis (hips) were less flexed (bent) and were relying on their lower back to bend, experienced lower back pain. Article courtesy of Gary Smith, If their spine was rotating Hunter Healthy Spines. For more this added to their pain. information on Functional Movement Another study on cricketers Appraisals contact Hunter Healthy found that bowlers with Spines on 49 330 588 or visit less lower back muscle www.hunterhealthyspines.com.au endurance, asymmetric or uneven muscle firing or poor pelvic control were at increased risk of lower back injury.

Fresh air

& fitness

Winter may be here but that doesn’t mean you have to take all your training indoors. Rug up and head out to your nearest park or playing field for an outdoor fitness session that’s fresh and free! There’s plenty of places around the Hunter to get your heart rate jumping, whether it be joining the Parkrun movement or making the most of the increasing number of outdoor gyms being installed across

many of the Hunter’s council areas. The latest venue to join that list will be Branxton’s Miller Park, following the donation of $52,000 by the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

The project is being spearheaded by the Samaritans Foundation, with support from Cessnock City Council, with installation work on the outdoor gym expected to be completed by mid 2016.

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

Cover Feature The Newcastle Cobras men’s team in action last season. Photo credit: Valentine Sports Photography.

: d n u o r g g n Gaini

n o r i d i gr k r a m s t i s e mak unter in the H Matilda Quist is on a quest to make the national team. Photo credit: Tommy Larkin.

American football – or gridiron as most would know it – has been steadily gaining ground in the Hunter during the past six years.

ts foothold, originally established by Gillieston Heights man Lee Smith and a band of other devotees, began in part when a group of men spent a year just completing training sessions until they attracted enough players to enter the Sydney-based Gridiron NSW Division 1 league. Fast forward six years and interest in the sport has hit all-new heights to include teams representing the Newcastle Cobras in the both the Division 1 and women’s competitions, as well as the expectation this season of being able to field a squad in the Colts division for the first time. The Cobras have produced a number of highly skilled players who have secured or are in the mix for representative honours, while Smith’s own desire to see the sport grow has led to the formation of the Hunter’s own men’s gridiron competition. Quist’s quest

Among the members of the Cobras women’s team making their mark on the sport is Matilda Quist. 12

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

The 27-year-old Kurri Kurri woman was one of two Newcastle players invited to take part in a five-day training camp with 93 other women last February in the hopes of securing a spot on the Australian Outback women’s team. She spent six months training just to go to the camp and her efforts clearly weren’t wasted, with Quist one of 60 players so far asked back to a second selection, to be held early next year. From this a travelling squad of around 45 players will be named to head to Europe mid next year for the third edition of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Women’s World Championships against powerhouse countries such as the USA and Canada. Quist, who played rugby union in the Hunter for eight years before switching to gridiron in 2012, said making the team would be a dream come true. “The first year we were involved with the Newcastle Cobras there was talk there may be a World Championship competition and Australia might be entering a team,” she said.

Cover Feature

“Then it seemed so distant and although I would have loved to, I never really thought that could be an achievable goal. “But then as I kept playing and kept getting better I thought ‘I can do this.’ And now it’s so close.” The passionate and determined woman can play almost anywhere on the park but has been identified as a potential safety (strong safety and free safety) or weakside linebacker by selectors. She trains six days a week following a gridiron-specific program and will also have another season with the Newcastle Cobras under her belt before the Australia squad is named. Quist is also seeking sponsorship to help her chase her dream. She is already supported by Hunter business Best Body Supplements and has set up a Go Fund Me account to try to add to the kitty - www. gofundme.com/matildaquist Morrall makes his mark While Quist continues on her selection journey, another Newcastle Cobra has already taken the next step toward his first experience wearing the green and gold. Thornton man Scott Morrall was named in the Australian Junior Outback team that will contest the 2016 Under-19 World Championships in China. The 18-year-old is a more recent convert to the code, having taken up the sport just a year ago following 14 years playing football (soccer). Morrall said he was looking for something new when he came across a Cobras post on Facebook – and hasn’t looked back since.

After his first season with the club in 2015 Morrall attended an under 19s selection camp in Queensland in February, trying out for a variety of positions on the offensive line including his standard role of right tackle. “There was a fair amount of competition,” he said. “I just went in and did my best, I didn’t have any expectations in case they got let down. “I found out about two weeks later – it was unreal, I didn’t know what to think. It was an awesome feeling.” Gridiron heavyweights USA are among the countries Australia is likely to come up against during the World Championships, which will be held in Harbin, China at the end of June and start of July. The event is also likely to include teams from China, Japan and possibly Mexico. The Australian Junior Outback team will go into a pre-competition camp in Queensland at the end of this month before flying out to China on June 27. A League of their own As President of the Newcastle Cobras club, Smith said it was testament to the calibre of players in the region that someone like Morrall could make the Australian team after just one season.

The Hunter Gridiron League will include four teams.

Visit www.facebook.com/ huntergridironleague for more information about the league. His mission now is to uncover more of them – something he hopes to do following the creation of the Hunter Gridiron League with fellow Cobra Corey Harragon. Based out of Walters Park at Speers Point, where the Cobras have their home, the league will offer players a chance to try their hand at the sport without having to make the more burdensome commitment to play in the Sydney-based competition. In its first year the league will be made up of four teams playing a nine-a-side version of the game. Each has been named to loosely connect them with a region in the Hunter – the Miners (Hunter Valley), Cannons (Newcastle), Marauders (Lake Macquarie) and Bombers (Port Stephens). This would allow for Smith’s future plan to have the teams based in different geographic areas across the region. “The biggest downside of the Newcastle Cobras team is all the travel, it puts a lot of people off,” he said. “So it’s always been a dream of mine to get something local. “The numbers have been better than we hoped for and people are still reaching out to us now. “We think if we can have something week-in, week-out in the Hunter hopefully it will create some more interest and then it will get even bigger next year.”

The Australian Junior Outback team.

The competition kicked off on May 29, with matches to be played each Sunday for the next five weeks before the top teams compete for the Hunter Bowl in the championship game. huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

Newcastle Knights

Brush with Country legends

inspires Sims

In the lead-up to last month’s Country Origin match, Knights back-rower Tariq Sims spoke to NRL.com about how he was inspired by Country Origin legends when growing up and his excitement behind representing the bush once again.

s he prepared for his fifth Country Origin game at Tamworth’s Scully Park on May 8, Sims said rubbing shoulders with older brother Ashton’s former Dragons teammates when he was younger – most of which he has or will spend time in Country camp with – helped him develop his desire to become an NRL player.

home I was pretty chuffed about myself.”

Even at 26-years-old, the Gerringong Lions junior was buzzed by the fact Bulldogs and Dubbo legend Andrew Ryan was able to give him a lift from Newcastle to Country’s camp in Sydney last month.

“We’re doing it pretty tough at the Knights at the moment but it’ll be good to be amongst another enjoyable week with the Country side.

“To play in the City v Country games and being a boy from the bush and watching blokes like Trent Barrett and Shaun Timmins growing up was inspiring,” Sims told NRL.com. “My brother (Ashton) was playing in their team when I was younger and I was lucky enough to throw a couple of footballs with them. I’ll never forget that. “There were a couple of training sessions back then where ‘Timmo’ actually dropped the shoulder into me a couple of times so those interactions with these mega stars of the game is something I’ll hold in my memory bank for as long as I can. “It was definitely an unreal buzz for me growing up. Being able to rub shoulders with these blokes, I’ll never forget those little moments. Even when ‘Bobcat’ (Ryan) came and picked me up from 14

By Jack Brady, NRL.com

Much like Timmins, Barrett, Ryan and new Country coach Craig Fitzgibbon before him, the next goal Sims is out to achieve is earning a maiden New South Wales jumper. “I’ve made no secret about it: I want to play for the Blues,” Sims said.

“I’m not going to rest on that though. I won’t be happy until I’m pulling on a sky blue jersey and if I’m even lucky enough to do that I won’t be happy until we’re holding the shield up. It’s just one of those things that I’ll keep chipping away at.” Sims was also devastated for brother Korbin who was suspended from representing Fiji (on May 7). Korbin’s ill-fortune denied the Sims family a representative treble for the second consecutive year, with sister Ruan captaining the Jillaroos for the first time. “You never want to miss any game but he’ll cop his punishment on his chin and move on quickly from it,” Sims said. “Nobody likes to dwell on those sort of things.” Unfortunately for Sims and his Country teammates, City won the May 8 match 44-30. June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

Knights player Tariq Sims runs out for Country. Photo credit: Colin Whelan, NRL Photos

powerlifting

From pirouetting to

powerlifting in show At the age of five Isabella Devetak – like many young girls – pulled on a tutu and a pair of tap shoes for her first dance class.

or the next 12 years Devetak put her best foot forward as she studied everything from jazz and tap to hip hop dancing, cheerleading and ballet. But the New Lambton woman, now 18, is feeling the beat of a very different tune these days, swapping the ballet barre for a barbell and the world of competitive powerlifting. The sport sees competitors take part in three disciplines - the squat, bench press and deadlift – with the aim of amassing the highest combined total. And in just her second year as a powerlifter, Devetak appears to be dancing rings around her rivals. She holds all four Australian records in the Raw Sub-Junior (18 and under) 72kg class, breaking the previous best weights, which she had also set, during the Strength Nation Nordic Nightmare event held in Penrith on May 7. She has also tasted success on the international stage, bringing home gold when she represented Australia in the same class at the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Canada last December.

Her best lifts at that event – 120kg in the squat, a 65kg bench press and 132.5kg deadlift – saw her easily defeat her nearest competitor and achieve a high enough total (317.5kg) to qualify for this month’s International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) RAW/Classic World Powerlifting Championship. To be held in the American state of Texas from June 19-26, it will be a major step up in class for the rising star of the powerlifting stage, but one she is excited to take. “I think the atmosphere will be exciting, it will be the biggest competition I will have been to,” Devetak said. “Canada was the first time I lifted internationally and there was so many more people there watching and cheering us on – I think this will be the next step up from there. “But I’m not focusing on finishing a certain place, I’d rather do a personal best and think ‘wow, people my age can lift this much’.’ And Devetak knows exactly how much she’d like those PBs to be, aiming to lift 130kg in the squat, 70kg in the bench press and 140kg in the deadlift.

of strength Her coach and step-father Joel Hudson, who introduced her to the sport after she spent two years training at their family-run Crossfit Never Say Never gym at Cardiff, is confident Devetak can achieve her goals. The pair are currently working through a 13-week program to help her reach that next level in Texas and Hudson said her determination was clear. “She is very committed, she doesn’t miss training,” he said. “It shows in her lifestyle - instead of her going out with friends to party she’s more interested in going to the gym. “At the Commonwealth Championships she won quite easily - at the world champs l think she’ll be looking to be in the top five. “But it’s more about the experience of being at a world competition than bringing home the gold.” Australia will send a team of 53 powerlifters to the IPF RAW/ Classic World Powerlifting Championship, including several other Hunter competitors.

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

futsal

Tom Oliver has been playing football all his life. But a chance introduction to a modified indoor version of the sport about eight years ago will soon see him suit up in the green and gold to represent his country.

liver has been named in the Australian Youth Men (under 21s) futsal team to compete at the 8th Pacific Cup Tournament, which will be held at San Jose, California from July 14-17. The 18-year-old and his teammates will come up against some of the best young futsal players from across the world, with countries including USA, Mexico, Canada, Tapei, Japan, Malaysia and New Zealand taking

part in the International Futsal Alliance event. Oliver made the cut after impressing selectors at the 2016 National Futsal Championships, which were held in Sydney during January. The Windella Downs man lined up in the Northern NSW team, which made it through to the semi-finals before being narrowly beaten by a Queensland outfit. “I didn’t expect (to be selected) at all, I’m playing three years above me,” Oliver said. “It is my first time being selected in the Australian team and it’s great to be able to represent my country.” Futsal, for the uninitiated, is the abbreviation of the phrase Futebol de Salao (Portuguese) or Futbol Sala (Spanish), which basically translates to indoor football. The five-a-side format is played on a pitch around the size of a basketball court and uses a modified ball that is smaller and heavier than an outdoor football, with a reduced bounce. Oliver has played football since he was four and

currently lines up in the Weston Bears team that competes in the under 19s Northern NSW National Premier League competition. But after being introduced to futsal when he was in Year 5 at Telarah Public School, he’s been passionate about the indoor code as well. He currently plays in the summer futsal all-age competition at Maitland Federation Centre. “In primary school we tried it out one year and we made it to the national schools championships,” Oliver said. “I’ve played it ever since then. “You’re constantly rotating around because it’s 10 times faster than football and I probably like futsal a lot more (than regular football), but it’s not as available to play throughout the year.” Oliver will fly out for the Pacific Cup on July 12 as part of a large Australian contingent heading to the tournament. The Australian Futsal Association is sending four teams to compete in the biannual event – the Youth Men, Open Men, 16 Boys and Open Women – and is hoping to improve on its success at the last Pacific Cup, which was held in Brisbane in 2014. At that event the Australian Women’s team narrowly lost to USA in the final while the Australian Men won their category.

Best foot forward earns

national

call-up 16

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

Australian 11 Boys, 16 Girls and 18 Girls futsal teams will head over to San Jose at the same time as the Pacific Cup teams, to take part in the 31st US National Futsal Championships being held at the same venue. It is an expensive trip for all involved, with Oliver seeking sponsors to help him on his way. He has set up a Go Fund Me account and has already received a number of donations, for which he is extremely grateful. Anyone wanting to help Oliver out can make a donation at www.gofundme.com/nxurxn9r

Newcastle jets

Players, partners sign on dotted line at Jets The ink has been flowing thick and fast at the Newcastle Jets headquarters as the club looks to bolster its ranks on and off the field.

he club, which finished the last A-League season in eighth place, has moved quickly in the off-season to re-sign a number of key players and inject fresh blood into its line-up. This has included a boost to its midfield stocks with the news former English Premier League player Wayne Brown will link up with the Jets for two years, joining them for pre-season training late this month. The 27-year-old began his football career with Fulham, playing with the London-based club between 2007 and 2010. He later went on to suit up for English Championship club Brentford FC, League 1 club Bristol Rovers and Finnish Premier League clubs TPS FC and SJK FC, the latter with whom he won the Finnish Championship last year. Also adding to Newcastle’s options in the middle will be former Brisbane Roar midfielder Devante Clut. The talented 20-year-old has also inked a two-season deal with the Jets, hoping to continue a burgeoning career that saw him score on debut for the Roar, impress during Brisbane’s 2015 AFC Champions League campaign and represent as an Australian youth international St. James’ Primary School in Kotara South played hosted to Jets players including Ben Kantarovski at a recent clinic.

against Spanish heavyweights Villarreal in the LFP World Challenge last year. Closer to home the Jets have retained the services of defender Jason Hoffman and utility Ben Kantarovski on two-year and one-year deals respectively. Hoffman, a former Hamilton Olympic player, began his professional career with the Jets during the club’s 2008 Hyundai A-League Championship winning campaign before spending four years with Melbourne Heart (City). He was resigned by Newcastle in 2015. Kantarovski meanwhile will run out in his ninth season for Newcastle in 2016/17. The 24-year-old Broadmeadow Magic junior made his professional debut for the Jets as a 16-year-old in August 2008 and has since chalked up 137 appearances for the club. “For me there is no greater honour than representing my hometown club in the A-League, so I am definitely looking forward to pulling on the shirt again next season,” Kantarovski said. “There is a positive vibe around the club at the moment and a real sense that we can build something special, and I feel fortunate that I can continue to contribute to that.”

Steven Read (Newcastle Jets), Scott Morgan (Greater Bank) and Scott Miller (Newcastle Jets coach) celebrate the extension of the club’s Major Community Partner contract.

That positive vibe has also continued off-field at the club, with its Major Community Partner Greater Bank - formerly the Greater Building Society - penning a two-year contract extension with the Jets. This will enable the club to continue its multi-faceted ‘Jets: Connect’ community program, with initiatives this year including 30 ‘Jets: Learn’ sessions at schools such as St. James’ Primary in Kotara South, where the contract extensions of Kantarovski and Greater Bank were announced. Miller said it was another sign of the confidence in the club’s future. “The announcements are positive for Newcastle Jets both on and off the field,” he said. “Ben [Kantarovski] is a local product who possesses vast Hyundai A-League experience, and provides positional versatility and thus flexibility to our squad. “His re-signing, like Morten Nordstrand’s and Jason Hoffman’s, ensures that we maintain a level of continuity within our squad which we believe can help us next season. “Greater Bank has shown an outstanding commitment to the club by extending their partnership with us for another two years. It is a boost to know that the club will continue to work alongside the Greater Bank team to forge stronger connections with the community.”

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

In pictures:

NHRl a-grade

There’s nothing like a close contest to pump up the intensity on-field. And it doesn’t get any closer than the round six clash between the Shortland Devils and the Cardiff Cobras in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League (NHRL) A-grade competition last month. Both teams went into the contest looking to atone for comprehensive round five

defeats, while Cardiff were also keen to turn the tables on Shortland, who had scored first blood with a 14-point victory when they met in round two.

captured by Valentine Sports Photography snapper John Valentine, who is a familiar sight around the Hunter’s sporting grounds shooting everything from NHRL to the Black Diamond AFL, NEWFM 1st Division football and the Women’s Premier League, just to name a few.

But a tight battle ensured the Devils and the Cobras walked away from Tuxford Park with one point each after finishing the match To check out more of his great shots visit with the scores drawn www.valentinesportsphotography.zenfolio.com 18-all. or find him on Facebook. The action was

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

in pictures

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

road to rio

Olympic life begins at 40 for Great Scott! SCOTT WESTCOTT (Athletics)

fter four failed attempts at qualifying for an Olympic Games, elite marathoner Scott Westcott could have been forgiven for hanging up the running shoes and taking up golf or fishing. In each of the past four Olympic cycles Westcott has achieved a standard good enough to compete at the Olympics. However, due to various factors ranging from poor performance in the trials in 2000 to a serious selection snub in 2008, and a freak motorbike accident in 2012, the Adamstown man began to doubt if he would ever fulfil his Olympic dream. But running is in his blood, and when you’re put on the Earth to do something it’s very hard to pull yourself away from it. Westcott, a husband and

father of three kids, has tried retiring from the top level of distance running … a few times. But like a pair of running shorts that are two sizes too small, it just wasn’t the right fit. Known affectionately as the Johnny Farnham of Australian running due to his number of comebacks in recent years, the boy originally from Alectown (near Parkes) had to wait until his 40th birthday to achieve his life-long dream of competing for Australia at an Olympic Games. A birthday present from his wife Jess saw Westcott fly to Berlin last September to take part in the Berlin Marathon and seemingly scratch his competitive marathoning itch one last time. Eying off Steve Moneghetti’s Australian Masters (over 40) Marathon Record, and not thinking too much about an Olympic qualifier, Westcott surprised himself by finishing in a time of 2:15:30, well inside the IAAF standard for Rio 2016. Olympic dream rekindled! Holding the second ranked position (and with three male marathoners selected), from that point on it was a case of outlasting his Aussie rivals, which he was able to do right up to the final day of qualifying in late April 2016, when he ended up with the third fastest rank. But the drama didn’t end there. A last ditch appeal from non-nominated 2012 London marathoner Jeff Hunt (who was fifth on the list of qualifiers) created nervous moments for Westcott, his family and supporters. Article courtesy of Mossy and Robbo, two Hunter-based Aussie sports lovers serving up the colour at the big sporting events. Each

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

In the lead-up to this year’s Olympic Games in Rio, Hunter Sports Magazine will get up close and personal with some of the Hunter’s athletes to find out a little more about them before they compete in the world’s biggest sporting event. But with one short text message from an Athletics Australia staff member, a sigh of relief could finally be enjoyed by Westcott, who was then officially announced as ‘on the team’ by the Australian Olympic Committee. Westcott will be five weeks short of his 41st birthday when he races in Rio - the oldest member of an Australian Athletics team to make their Olympic debut. “It really is a dream come true, a dream I’ve had since I was 15 growing up on the farm in Alectown,” Westcott said. “After the disappointment of missing out numerous times when I felt I was good enough to compete at that level, I had more or less kissed the hope of getting to an Olympics goodbye. “I tried retirement a few times. It didn’t work. “My new motto is to ‘run for life’. Even though my training mileage and number of races has reduced a bit in recent years, the hunger has never gone and I think I’m a lot more mentally strong now than ever.” Westcott’s six-year-old son Finn clearly had faith in his Dad’s selection though, recently telling his school teacher his Dad was going to the Rio Olympics. Thinking the student was making things up, the teacher jumped onto Google to check the facts - only to find Finn was indeed correct! month they’ll give us their take on some of our finest athletes on their Road to Rio. See more at www. mossyandrobbo.com or check out their podcast with Scott Westcott at soundcloud.com/mossyandrobbo/ scottwestcottselectionspecial

road to rio Jaime Ryan (left) will join her brother on the sailing team heading to the Rio Olympics. Photo courtesy of Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy / World Sailing.

Coal Point sailor Will Ryan (front) will represent Australia – and the Hunter – at the Rio Olympics. Photo courtesy of Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy / World Sailing.

Olympic dream twice as nice for Ryan family Rio will be a family affair for Lake Macquarie’s sailing siblings Will and Jaime Ryan.

he pair are set to make their Olympic debuts in the men’s and women’s 470 classes respectively, with 26-year-old Will taking to the seas alongside teammate and defending Olympic champion Mathew Belcher and 21-year-old Jaime sharing her first Games with her former junior rival and now teammate Carrie Smith. The Ryans, who grew up at Coal Point and learned to sail on Lake Macquarie, are part of a seven-strong Australian sailing squad, which also includes fellow Lake Macquarie sailors Nathan Outteridge and Iain Jensen from Wangi Wangi, who are out to defend the 49er

class gold medal they won four years ago in London. Will and Jaime are also the sixth set of siblings named on the Australian Olympic team to date. The pair followed their parents into the sport and began sailing in their teenage years, Will at the age of 13 and Jaime at 15. In 2006 at the age of 18 Will was the youngest competitor in that year’s iconic Sydney to Hobart race, the same year he first represented Australia at the 420 Worlds competition. Four years later Jaime was also wearing the green and gold at the 420 World Championships, representing Australia

at the 2010 event held in Haifa, Israel. Both are over the moon to land a spot on the Olympic team. “I think Rio 2016 is going be a really special place. The culture is just so special and I think there’ll be a lot of energy,” Will said. “It’s obviously extremely special to make my first Olympic team. It is something that I have been working hard toward for a very long time, and hopefully satisfying for all the people who have helped me on my journey to this point so far.” While Will was named on the team in December, Jaime’s spot was only confirmed last

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

month and she said she was proud to be able to share this moment with her family. “I think it’s the coolest thing that I get to be on tour with my brother,” she said. “He’s been on the circuit for a few years more than me, and has been such a huge help in every part of my sailing over the years, there is no way I would be at this stage without him. “Seeing Will get selected definitely gave me the extra drive to get my ticket to be on the plane next to him. Partly because he is always the over achiever in the family, I have to do my best to keep up with him!” 21

rugby league

Hunter Stars players bring down their Berkley Vale opponent in round three. Pic credit Precious Moments By Christine & Garry Simmonds.

It may be early days yet but the Hunter Stars are starting to shine brighter after a mixed start to their inaugural season.

Smouldering start to

Stars’ season

he Hunter-based women’s team is playing its first year in the Sydney Metro Women’s Rugby League competition and the signs are promising, four rounds into the season. The Stars opened their account with a gritty 34-26 win against the defending premiers Greenacre Tigers in front of a supportive home crowd at Cessnock Sportsground on April 16. Two weeks of losses followed including a particularly brutal 62-0 drubbing at the hands of the Berkley Vale Panthers, although the Stars were weakened with representative players Emma Young and Caitlin Moran on duty for the Australian Jillaroos in the curtainraiser to the trans-Tasman Test at Hunter Stadium. Despite the defeats the Stars managed to turn their fortunes around in round four, keeping their rivals scoreless to record a 28-0 victory over the Forestville Ferrettes. But the Hunter team will face their biggest test yet on June 4 when they come up against the ladderleading Mounties, who at the time of printing were unbeaten this season. Refusing to be intimidated, the team is steaming ahead under the guidance of Young’s brother Mick, an ex-Newcastle Knights hooker, and 22

his wife Bec, who has also played for the Jillaroos. “My brother and sister-in-law really wanted a Newcastle-based team and we’re really building this year, we’ve got a lot of new girls in the team,” she said. “Our first game was against the premiers and we came away with the win, which was good. “I think (this team) is going to open rugby league up to a lot more girls by giving them a chance to play for a team in their area.” Seeing more women take up the sport is just one of the things on the wish list for the real driver behind the formation of the Hunter Stars, CEO Emma Worthington. The passionate Pokolbin businesswoman personally sponsored the Maitland Pickers team when they entered the women’s competition in 2015 but was gutted when they pulled out before the end of the season. “I reeled away from that one because I had invested so much money and time but I didn’t want the story to end there,” Worthington said. “I decided to get back in touch with Bec and Mick who were in the Pickers … they’re the sort of people you want to get involved with, they’re really passionate about the sport and they

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

want to see it move forward. “We all kind of got together and had a chat and I said ‘Look, I’ve got a business background, you guys have been in the sport for a long time, let’s marry up all our skills and if we’re going to do this, let’s go hard and create something really positive for the region’. And that’s what we did.” The club is based out of Cessnock Sportsground thanks to support from the Cessnock Goannas Rugby League Football Club. Worthington said the Hunter Stars wasn’t just about creating a new club, it was also about pushing the sport as a whole forward, encouraging larger audiences, more professionalism and eventually securing enough sponsorship to be able to pay their players. “We just really want to push the sport as a whole,” she said. “The Hunter and Newcastle region has always been known for producing fantastic athletes and it just seemed crazy not to have contact football (for women) being represented in the region.” The Hunter Stars will take on the Mounties on Saturday June 4 from 4.45pm at Cessnock Sportsground. Their next home match this month will see them take on the Redfern All Blacks on June 25.

rugby union

Newcastle to host elite

rugby training program It’s not uncommon for regional athletes to have to travel to a metropolitan centre if they want to play at the highest level of their sport.

ut a new program introduced by the NSW Rugby 7s last month is allowing the women’s squads to train closer to home while still taking part in the elite level program.

youth at our induction day as well as the 30 incumbent senior women, that has to increase competition for spots and increase the level of skills among the players.”

Newcastle has been chosen as one of four regional satellites being set up by the NSW Rugby 7s Blue Belles as part of the initiative, with other centres being hosted in the Central West, Illawarra and Central North areas.

The satellite squads had their first official training session on May 25, with the group based out of Passmore Oval at Wickham thanks to support from the Hamilton Hawks Rugby Club.

Around 22 women will train as part of the Newcastle contingent, with eight of those in the senior women’s (Blue Belles) squad, six in the Under 17s Girls (Junior Belles) team and eight in the Under 15 Girls (Baby Belles) outfit. There are around 100 women across the state taking part in the program, which Elite North Coach Will Scully said had expanded greatly since last year’s Nationals event, which was won by NSW. Scully will run the Newcastle satellite sessions and said the aim of the program, set up by Blue Belles coach Nathan McMahon, was to make it easier for regional women to reach that elite level.

Among those taking part were Kate Gilbert, Britney Duff and Sarah Halvorsen, who all play 7s for the Blue Belles and club rugby in the Newcastle women’s competition for Newcastle University. Gilbert made the switch from track cycling to rugby five years ago and said she loved the fast pace of the 7s, which allowed a freer style of play than the 15-a-side competition. This will be her second year playing with the NSW team and she believed having the satellite centres would create a clear pathway for the

younger girls keen to take that step up into the next level. Duff is also coming into her second year as a Blue Belle and said being based closer to home for training would allow her to put more into her game. “I feel like I can train harder because I’m not focused on travel as much,” she said. “I can push myself in the game a lot more because before we had to work full days then travel two hours to training, train and then travel two hours to get home again. “It’s also great to see all these new girls in it, it pushes us more by making us fight for every position.” Halvorsen has been with the senior squad for three years, having made her way up through the youth system. She said participation in the game had grown significantly since she first started and believed that could only be good for the strength of the team they put on the park come competition time. The Blue Belles squad will be whittled down following selection trials in October before the Rugby 7s Nationals are held in South Australia in late November.

Blue Belles players Kate Gilbert, Sarah Halvorsen and Britney Duff.

It is also designed to provide elite level training for girls in the younger age groups, providing a clear pathway for juniors making their way through to the senior ranks. “The senior women used to go down once a week to Sydney to train and twice a week leading up to major competitions,” Scully said. “The idea of this program is to take the burden (of travel) off them while still providing training similar to what they were receiving in Sydney. “It’s also about increasing participation – we had 66 huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

kitted out

Socks to let your feet breathe Keep your feet cool while your pulse rate heats up with the latest range from Wigwam.

The gold standard of

luxury luggage Heading off to Rio to cheer on our Hunter Olympians? Then why not enhance your Olympic adventure with a swanky new suitcase from Crumpler, the official supplier of luggage to the Australian team. The perfect product for those who travel regularly and like to travel in style, the limited edition Visà-vis 78cm Australian Olympic Team trunk has ringloads of features to make your trip a gold medal experience. These include a custom navy polycarbonate

For more information visit www.crumpler.com

Designed to keep up with the demands of active feet, their Ultra Cool Lite socks feature patented sock technology that recognises your body’s temperature changes and adapts to your needs.

ship shape shell; Orzee orzee green n gold nugget transition straps and a custom internal colourway. There’s also four smoothglide omni-directional wheels to keep you and your luggage on track and a super slooper compression system that keeps your kit kitted down where you clinched it.

The breathable mesh panels and Ultimax Pro technology enhanced with Drirelease Tencel provide rapid moisture evaporation - so your feet stay fresh. Available in a range of colours including moss, charcoal, notting blue, pink and more, the unisex sock range features three styles – low, quarter and crew – with sizes from small through to extra large. The socks retail from $22.95 through to $27.95.

The limited edition Olympic 78cm luggage is priced at $745 and comes with a lifetime guarantee. For more info visit www.outdooragencies.com.au

No sweat solution to keeping your cool Outrun the pain of inadequate footwear with the new rage from Scarpa. The outdoor performance footwear brand has designed a series of Alpine Running shoes to protect runners from foot pain - the Proton and Proton GTX. Thanks to the soft rubber toe and great 24

support of the rigid heel shell, the Proton series offer the perfect protection from any accidental shocks with a stable shoe that is structured, yet versatile to train over long distances.

The secret is the engineered Vibram Genesis Sole, featuring pyramidal lugs for more grip and stability, horizontal grooves for more cushioning, anti-shock vertical grooves on the forefoot and extensive heel cushioning.

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

Retailing from $229.95 for the Proton and $259.95 for the Proton GTX, the shoes come in a range of colours and sizes.

For more information visit www.paddypallin.com.au

kitted out

Thanks to our friends at Hydrapak and Wigman, we’ve got three great sports pack to give away to Hunter Sports Magazine readers. Each pack contains a 750ml collapsible Stash water bottle worth $33.95, which we profiled in last month’s Kitted Out section of the magazine, as well as a pair of the grey Wigwam Ultimax Ultra Cool-Lite Quarter socks, worth $24.95 (see opposite page for review), size medium

(women’s 6-10 or men’s 5-9.5). TO ENTER: Simply email your name, phone number, suburb with “training pack” in the subject line to editor@huntersportsmag. com.au by Wednesday, June 29. The winners will be contacted and their names published at www.huntersportsmag. com.au (NSW Permit Number LTPM-1600208).

Style and comfort to provide training lift Music can really help set the mood when you’re training or give you the lift you need to push through the barrier and crush those last few reps. And how we listen to music is now equally as personal to us as the other training accessories we choose to wear.

House Of Marley’s classically cool Uplift Series In-Ear-Headphones are available in three different styles of housing, boasting FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood inlays alongside bio-based woven fabric, which surrounds the elastomer cable for a vintage look.

One-touch storage solution Hitting the highway for a long ride? Looking for extra storage space on your motorbike without sacrificing accessibility to your petrol tank? Oxford have created the perfect storage solution with a tank bag featuring a universal Quick Release (QR) mechanism, allowing you to keep your valuables in reach without having to set your stand and get off your bike. The One-Touch lock-on system securely attaches the bag in place thanks to the special fuel tank ring, which replaces the stock ring. The One-Touch release mechanism

Whether you’re training in the gym or hitting the track in events like the Maitland River Run, we’ve got the perfect solutions to keep you cool when the heat is on.

WIN

Sports pack for those on the go

easily clicks off with one swipe of the thumb and re-attaches with zero fuss.

This is contrasted with recyclable aluminium edging, and a distinctive gold plated L-shaped stereo plug to stylishly fuse classic and modern design. But they don’t just look good, with the in-ear headphones also featuring noise-cancelling technology, a 9mm dynamic driver to maximise overall sound quality as well as an optimised in-line microphone, complete with a handy three button remote for accepting calls, changing volume and skipping tracks. Retailing at $69.95, the Uplift Series In-Ear Headphones are available now in Midnight, Drift and Grand colour schemes through JB HI-Fi. Retailing from $169.95, the bags come in a variety of colours, while you can also pick up a tank ring to fit your bike for an additional $29.95. Visit www.ficeda.com.au for more information.

Available in four size capacities (4L, 15L, 20L & 30L) to fit most makes of bike (Suzuki, Triumph, Honda, Kawasaki & Yamaha), all bags feature waterproof zips, rip-stop nylon and a roll top waterproof internal bag that ensures items remain dry, regardless of the weather!

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

community

Paul Harragon (right) has always been a strong supporter of Mark Hughes (left) and his foundation.

Community of

support for cause When former Newcastle Knights player Mark Hughes was diagnosed with a brain tumour in July 2013, his life was changed forever.

ut throughout his treatment and journey to recovery, as well as his mission to raise as much funding and awareness for brain cancer as possible through the Mark Hughes Foundation (MHF), Hughes has been surrounded by a loyal community of supporters. In the lead-up to the 2016 Beanies for Brain Cancer week, to be held from June 20-24, Hughes took time out to answer a few questions from Hunter Sports Magazine. Q: You’re just about to launch your third annual Beanies for Brain Cancer fundraiser - how successful has it been so far in terms of raising funds and awareness?

state and territory in the country. They pop up everywhere, and it is awesome to see! But we still have a lot to achieve, and we really hope this year will take us to another level again. Q: Looking at the pictures from last year it’s clear the event is well supported by all facets of the community. How does this make you feel? A: There are a lot of great charities out there for people to support, and we are so grateful that people from all walks of life have chosen Beanies for Brain Cancer to support.

A: It was our first fundraiser the month after we launched in May 2014, and it is still growing every year. It started out by us ringing around primary schools in the Hunter to get involved, and has grown into a national campaign. Approaching our third annual Beanies for Brain Cancer awareness campaign this year, we are very proud of how far we have come, and where we are reaching with the message also. Last year we introduced our own MHF Beanies and they were sold to every 26

Beanies for Brain Cancer infiltrated the NSW Origin camp thanks to players including Robbie Farrah, Beau Scott, Brett Morris and Josh Dugan, and INSET: Newcastle Knights players Danny Buderus, Akuila Uate, Mark Hughes, Robbie Rochow and Jeremy Smith show their support for the cause.

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

From childcare centres and schools to nursing homes, big mining companies to the local corner store, we are very humbled by every registration and the participation of all. Q: Whether it’s a player that has been injured, someone associated with a club going through tough times or promoting a cause, the wider sporting community always seems to get behind its own. What have your experiences of this been throughout your treatment and after setting up your Foundation? A: There’s no doubt about it, the local community gets behind its

community

own. I was lucky enough to play for the Newcastle Knights and in that time meet so many great people and made so many lifelong friends along the way. I would like to think I helped charities during this time as a player, and now it’s coming back to MHF in spades. We are constantly blown away by the local support we are receiving, and are so grateful to everyone that gives towards brain cancer research. Myself and so many others I have met on this journey need this. Since my diagnosis I have seen many examples of this support - from explayers and mates driving me down to my radiation sessions every day for six weeks to the Central Coast, to all the fundraisers that are held; their generosity and kindness to one of their own is amazing. The local media and beyond have embraced us and always helped out our causes, which I’m so grateful for too. The list is endless really. Q: You’ve been retired from playing for about 10 years but it’s clear from the support you receive from your former teammates, as well as the Newcastle Rugby League competition where you started your football career, that the bonds created by sport endure long after you hang up your boots. How does this make you feel? A: Firstly from where I originated, the Kurri Old Boys have always been awesome supporters. They have been with me from day one. As well, the Knights Old Boys made MHF a charity partner a couple of years ago, and this is currently ongoing. The Newcastle Knights have also been very supportive of MHF right across the board. From the commercial staff helping out with prizes for raffles, supporting all our events, making us a charity partner, players attending events, it goes on and on. Former teammates are also wonderful supporters, particularly Danny Buderus, Adam MacDougall and Paul Harragon who are all Ambassadors of MHF. We are also heavily involved at grassroots level with Newcastle Rugby League - headed by Matt

Harris - and are very appreciative of this. The NRL have also been great, as well as Channel 9’s The Footy Show and Sunday Footy Show. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys) has also been absolutely amazing. It’s overwhelming, and I could never really say how much it means to me, and everyone at MHF. Q: Paul Harragon in particular has gone to great lengths to show his support for the Foundation, enduring all sorts of trials during his time on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here while also preparing, alongside Billy Peden and yourself, to tackle the Coast to Coast Kokoda Challenge - what does his support mean to you and the Foundation? A: Chief is someone that I have always looked up to, even as a kid supporting the Newcastle Knights. What he did for me, and MHF was nothing short of sensational. It put MHF on the national map. I cannot possibly think of a better person representing MHF than the Chief. All of Australia fell in love with the kind, gentle, caring person that he is, which is wonderful. He is a true gentleman and I’ll never be able to repay what he has done for MHF and brain cancer.

establishment of the first specialised Brain Cancer Care Co-ordinator, a role that supports brain cancer patients across the Hunter New England Health District. A state-of-the-art brain cancer biobank located at HMRI, to provide open access to a broad range of quality brain cancer tissues and related blood samples, has also been established. Researchers will be able to link specimens and clinical data allowing researchers to remotely analyse tissues, and learn much more about brain tumours. We also currently have numerous research projects on the go, chosen carefully by the MHF Scientific Committee. MHF is very proud of what has been achieved so far, but still has a long way to go. We still need ongoing support to enable us to achieve our goal of providing better outcomes for brain cancer patients and their families.

Mark Hughes was a popular member of the Newcastle Knights and NSW Origin teams throughout his career.

Q: How is your preparation for the Kokoda Challenge going? A: I’m training really hard, and enjoying having a real clear focus. There’s no doubt it’s going to be tough. When it gets really hard, I’ll take the time to think about the people and families suffering from brain cancer and keep pushing on hard in their honour. It’s a personal journey, but we are all doing it to raise funds and awareness for brain cancer, so anyone that wants to donate visit www. markhughesfoundation.com.au, no donation is too small. I really hope the weather is kind to us! The bike leg is something I think about - hoping my bottom doesn’t get too sore, lol!! Q: Since starting the Foundation, what has the money you have raised been used for? A: Since the launch of MHF in 2014 the funds raised have supported the huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

event preview

Central Coast product and NSW Swifts goalkeeper Lauren Moore goes for the intercept against West Coast’s Kate Beveridge during a pre-season clash. Photo credit: Narelle Spangher.

Best in the business

head to THE Hunter Some of the best netballers in Australia will take to the court in Newcastle this month. The NSW Swifts have elected to bring one of their seven home matches of the 2016 ANZ Championship season to the city, with the Sydneybased team taking on the might of the West Coast Fever at the Newcastle

Entertainment Centre on Saturday, June 11. The Round 11 match features the same opponents the Swifts played last time they were in Newcastle, during the 2012 ANZ Championship season,

and is likely to be a real cracker with the teams sitting second and third on the ladder respectively at the time this issue went to print.

The match will be preceded by an Australia National League clash between the NSW Waratahs and the Western Sting.

NSW and West Coast have already faced off once this year, with the Swifts triumphing 63-52 on the Fever’s home turf in the round four clash.

Doors open at 2.30pm and the curtain-raiser will begin at 3.15pm. Tickets are available through Ticketek.

Elite youth invited to

new Hunter Games A new junior sporting event will kick off in the Hunter this month featuring some of the country’s best athletes. The inaugural Australian Invitational Youth Games will be held at venues across the region from June 26 to July 17, with more than 1000 athletes expected to take part. The event is being organised by the Hunter Academy of Sport and replaces the nib Games, which were held last year as part of the Hunter Festival of Sport. Academy Events and 28

Communications Co‑ordinator Andrea Ciotti said the Games were a new concept designed to attract the best junior athletes in Australia to compete in the Hunter. The Games will incorporate seven different sports, diving into the program with a swimming carnival for athletes with a disability on June 26 at the Kurri Aquatic Centre.

This will be followed by athletics at the Hunter Sports Centre, Glendale on July 10, golf at Muree and Newcastle golf courses on July 11 and 12, netball at the Maitland Federation Centre on July 13-15, a duathlon at Teralba on July 16 and softball at Stevenson Park in Mayfield West on July 16-17. A girls’ rugby 7s event is also expected to form

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

part of the program, with the date and venue still to be confirmed at the time of printing. Representative squads from any Australian Academy of Sport or teams competing at the highest amateur level were invited to nominate to take part. For more information visit www.ausyouthgames.com.au

event calendar

June 2016 June 3: Newcastle Harness Racing Club night meeting, Newcastle International Paceway, newcastleharness.com.au

June 11–12: NSW Junior Dirt Track Titles, Loxford Park, kkjmcc.wix.com/kkjmcc

June 19: Dye Hard Fun Run, Maitland Showground, dyehardfunrun.com.au/maitland June 23: NJC Race Day (free entry), Newcastle Jockey Club, njc.com.au

June 4: Newcastle North Stars v Melbourne Mustangs, Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, northstars.theaihl.com

June 24: Newcastle Harness Racing Club night meeting, Newcastle International Paceway, newcastleharness.com.au

June 4: Newcastle Pro Wrestling, Charlestown Bowling Club, newcastleprowrestling.com.au June 5: Newcastle North Stars v Perth Thunder, Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, northstars.theaihl.com June 10: Newcastle Harness Racing Club night meeting, Newcastle International Paceway, newcastleharness.com.au June 10: Muswellbrook race day, Skelletar Park, Muswellbrook, muswellbrookraceclub.com.au June 11: NRL Round 14 Newcastle Knights v New Zealand Warriors, Hunter Stadium, newcastleknights.com.au June 11: ANZ Championship NSW Swifts v West Coast Fever and ANL NSW Waratahs v Western Sting, Newcastle Entertainment Centre, premier.ticketek.com.au June 11: Mates in Construction Race Day, Newcastle Jockey Club, njc.com.au

June 11-13: Cessnock Cup, Stonebridge Golf Course, stonebridgegolf.com.au June 14: Cessnock Race Day (free entry), Cessnock Racecourse, njc.com.au June 17: Newcastle Harness Racing Club night meeting, Newcastle International Paceway, newcastleharness.com.au June 18: Cork and Fork Cup, The Vintage, thevintage.com.au June 18: TLE Newcastle Race Day, Newcastle Jockey Club, njc.com.au June 18: Newcastle North Stars v Melbourne Ice, Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, northstars.theaihl.com June 19: Queen of the Valley Matchmaker race day, Skelletar Park, Muswellbrook, muswellbrookraceclub.com.au

June 25: NRL Round 16 Newcastle Knights v St George Dragons, Hunter Stadium, newcastleknights.com.au June 25: Shimano MTB Grand Prix Rd 4, Ourimbah MTB Park, rockytrailentertainment.com June 25: Mitchell Physiotherapy Charity Ball, Monte Pio Maitland, facebook.com/ events/822737347830443/ June 25: Newcastle North Stars v Sydney Ice Dogs, Hunter Ice Skating Stadium, northstars.theaihl.com June 26: Australian Invitational Youth Games – swimming carnival for athletes with a disability, Kurri Aquatic Centre, ausyouthgames.com.au June 26: NSW State Series event, Maitland Tenambit BMX Club, Beryl Humble Sporting Complex, bmxnsw.com.au/ maitlandtenambit/clubhome This will be followed by the TLE Race Day (June 18) and a NJC Race Day on June 23. Even better news for the punters is the fact the June 23 meeting, as well as a June 14 race day at Cessnock Racecourse, offer free entry to the course!

Race into winter

at the track Winter’s here but that won’t stop the racing at the region’s premier thoroughbred racing track.

The Newcastle Jockey Club will hold three races days during June, kicking off their Winter Racing Carnival with the Mates in Construction Race Day on June 11.

Those looking to plan ahead should also scribble Saturday, July 2 into their diaries, when the NJC hosts the eighth annual Pink Race Day at the Broadmeadow course. Supported by NJC and Clubs in the Community, the day aims to raise $100,000 for Hunter Breast Cancer Foundation and features The P!nk Tribute Show in the Pink Marquee, fashions on the field and, of course, a top card of racing on the track. For more details and tickets call 4961 1573 or visit njc.com.au

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

hall of fame

Hunter home to

world class achievers Every year some of the Hunter’s finest athletes are recognised for a lifetime of achievement by being inducted into the Hunter Region Sporting Hall of Fame.

With the newest list of inductees to be announced on June 30, Hunter Sports Magazine decided to wind back the clock 12 months and take another look at the fine crop of sportsmen and women to make the list in 2015. 505. He accomplished the same titles at the national level from 1974 to 1992. In 1981 Bruniges placed fourth in the World Championships International 505 Class, and finished first in the same event in 1983.

Alison Bruce D.O.B: 23/09/1987 Place of Birth: Sydney Sport: Hockey Alison Bruce represented Australia in international competition for more than five years, beginning in 2006 at the Australian Youth Olympics. She won gold with the Australian Hockey League in 2009 and a silver medal with the 2009 Hockeyroos squad in the Champions Trophy in Sydney. Bruce and her teammates finished 5th in the 2010 World Cup in Argentina and took home a gold medal in the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Gary Bruniges Place of Birth: Belmont Sport: Sailing Gary Bruniges competed in the state, national and international sailing scene for more than 20 years, taking home titles in the New South Wales 16ft Skiff and NSW International

in Sydney. In 1968 Clark was the Rowing Intervarsity Single Scull and Coxed Pair Champion; she also won the Women’s Interstate National Rowing Championships. Christopher Cockburn Neva Bull D.O.B: 9/10/1969 Place of Birth: Newcastle Sport: Hang Gliding Neva Bull was born in Newcastle and competed in several national and international hang gliding events. In 1994 Bull competed in the World Hang Gliding Championships in the United States, finishing 12th. She competed in the FAI World Hang Gliding Championships in 1996 and 2000 finishing second and third respectively. Margaret Clark D.O.B: 05/05/1946 Place of Birth: Adelaide, SA Sport: Rowing Margaret Clark was a member of the 1967 University of Newcastle rowing team and coxed four events, three of which finished first at the Australia Rowing Carnival

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

D.O.B: 19/04/1979 Place of Birth: Newcastle Sport: Water Skiing Newcastle native Christopher Cockburn has won numerous accolades in the sport of water skiing. Most notably Cockburn was the 1999 and 2000 Australian National Open Men’s Trick Champion. He competed and placed in many international competitions including the World Ski Championships 2000-2003 and Australasian Championships in 2002 and 2004.

hall of fame

the 2006 win at the FIBA World Championships. Screen competed in the 2008 Olympics in Bejing (silver medal) and 2012 London Olympics (bronze medal). She was part of the Australian team at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, winning a gold medal.

Elizabeth Heslop D.O.B: 28/01/1974 Place of Birth: Newcastle Sport: Gymnastics Elizabeth Heslop represented Australia in the World Gymnastics in Trampoline Sports from 1988 to 1996. She won first place at the Australian Gymnastics Championships for 13 consecutive years. In 1993 Heslop received a Prime Ministerial Achievement Award for services to womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sport. She was the first Australian to achieve a level 10 (highest level) in tumbling, and was the Australian Sports Person of the Year for tumbling in 1994.

has competed in many board sailing competitions throughout his career including the 2007 and 2008 RS:X Sailing World Championships, the 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004 (Olympic Qualifier) Mistreal World Championships, and the 2003 ISFA Sailing World Championships.

Robert Thompson D.O.B: 13/05/1958 Place of Birth: Cessnock Sport: Horse Racing

Phil Lovett D.O.B: 1/7/1957 Place of Birth: Cessnock Sport: Motorcycle Racing

Martin Kelly D.O.B: 20/02/1973 Place of Birth: Warburton, VIC Sport: Judo Martin Kelly has competed in many national and international judo competitions, most notable is his selection to the 2004 Athens Olympics. Kelly finished first in six Australia Championships in the under 100kg, over 100kg, under 95kg and open classes. He also finished first in two Oceania Championships in the under 100kg class. Michael Lancey D.O.B: 17/02/1981 Place of Birth: Taree, NSW Sport: Board Sailing Hailing from Taree Michael Lancey

Cessnock native Robert Thompson holds the Australian record for riding the most winners (3323) achieved in July 2008. His current record is more than 4000 wins. Thompson was recently appointed a member of the Order of Australia for his significant contribution to the horse racing industry.

Phil Lovett is an accomplished motorcyclist and road racer. He has won the Finke Desert Race (230kms from Alice Springs to Finke and back) three times and was the second place finisher four times. He was the first Australian to win a gold medal in the International 6-Day Enduro.

Bruce Wylie D.O.B: 04/07/1966 Place of Birth: Newcastle Sport: Windsurfing / Boardsailing

Jenni Screen D.O.B: 26/02/1982 Place of Birth: Newcastle Sport: Basketball Jenni Screen has represented Australia in a number of international competitions including

Born in Newcastle, Bruce Wylie competed in the Los Angeles Olympic Boardsailing Exhibition winning gold in 1984. He won the World Windsurfing Championships in Perth in 1984 and was named the NBN Sports Star of the Year that same year. Wylie currently resides in Thailand where he is involved in the production of sailboards.

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

junior sport

Next generation

show their

skills Each week countless budding rugby league stars run out onto grounds around the Hunter to put their skills to the test. 32

Sports photographer Clive McDonald recently captured some of the action during round two of the Newcastle Junior Rugby League competition, including U6c West Red v Valentine Red, U8c West Red v Mallabula and U8a West White v Wangi. To check out more of his great shots visit facebook.com/clivemcdonaldphotos

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

junior sport

huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

history

New book a real diamond for rugby fans Celebrating the past while paying tribute to the present is the focus of a new Hunterbased rugby book. 75 Years – 1940 to 2015 details the events held to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of the The Waratahs Rugby Club, which took place last year. But the 84-page full colour book also delves deeper into the club’s past, completing a trio of publications covering The Waratahs history. President of The Waratahs Old Boys Association Ken Beveridge said a lot of work had gone into compiling the prized publication. “The Old Boys on behalf of The Waratahs club have been gathering

photographs and information and have published a book that will definitely be a club ‘collector’s item’ in future years,” he said. “The publication covers special functions such as a tribute to the 29 club players who have worn Australian colours, the Diamond Jubilee anniversary weekend last June, the induction of Cyril Burke into the Wallaby Hall of Fame and other events.” Beveridge said the book’s historical component – covering 2006 to 2015 - complemented two previous publications compiled on the club: a 1990 Golden Jubilee

magazine and the Red Book, which provides a detailed history of The Waratahs from the club’s foundation in 1940 until 2005. The book also doubles as a 2015 Yearbook for The Waratahs Rugby Club, with photographs of grade teams playing throughout the year and a section devoted to club statistics and awards. The limited edition book is being provided to Old Boys members, with remaining Written by Peter Collier following several years of research, The Joe Ilsley Story – Trotting’s Mr ‘Nice Guy’ was officially launched at Menangle last month.

Book honours gentlemen Joe He may have died a decade ago but the man known as trotting’s “Mr Nice Guy” will never be forgotten after his story was detailed in a new book. 34

Collier was only a young boy when he met Ilsley for the first time and spent a lot of time with him and his family before Joe died in 2007 at the age of 83. “I spoke with the family last year and asked them if they had any information for the book and I was amazed at all of the stuff they provided

June 2016 | huntersportsmag.com.au

copies available for $25 as a fundraiser for The Waratahs Rugby Club. For more information visit www.oldboys. thewaratahs.com.au

me with,” he said. “I (also previously) spent a lot of time just talking and listening to Joe … he was just a great talker and I could listen to his stories for hours at a time. “I would go to Morriset and we would just chat, it really has been a labour of love putting this book together.” The book will be for sale on eBay, with Collier also hoping to have it stocked by Garrards Horse & Hound in Newcastle for those in the region keen to get their hands on a copy.

on the box

Power and passion of

sports cinema There’s nothing quite like a sports movie. The inspirational speeches, grueling training regimes, amazing action sequences and nail-biting suspense of whether the protagonist will make that vital shot, score the longed-for contract or win against all odds.

t’s a recipe for moviemaking gold, especially if it’s a tale based on actual events.

underdog story of Rocky Balboa, a smalltime boxer who gets a supremely rare chance to fight the heavy-weight champion, Apollo Creed, in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.

The latest incarnation to hit our screens is Eddie the Eagle, starring Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman and the perennially cool Christopher Walken. Inspired by true events, it tells the story of Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. While we haven’t had the chance yet to see it on the big screen, its release got us thinking about our favourite sportsflavoured fare and we’ve come up with the Hunter Sports Half Dozen – not necessarily the top six sports movies of all time, but certainly some of our favourites. Agree? Disagree? Think we’ve taken one too many hits to the head? Share your list at www.facebook. com/huntersports1 Remember the Titans (2000 – Denzel Washinton, Ryan Hurst, Will Patton): Details the integration of black students into a previously all-white high school in Alexandria, Virginia during 1971, as

seen through the eyes of the school’s beloved gridiron team. Based on a true story.

Victory (1981 - Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, Pelé): As Allied POWs prepare for a football game against the German National Team to be played in Nazi-occupied Paris, the French Resistance and British officers are making plans for the team’s escape. Phar Lap (1983 - Tom Burlinson, Judy Morris, Richard Morgan): The true story of a Australian racehorse that becomes a champion with the help of a local stableboy.

The Blind Side (2009 – Sandra Bullock, Quinton Aaron, Tim McGraw): Based on the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatised boy who became an All American gridiron player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family. Rocky (1976 - Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young): The ultimate huntersportsmag.com.au | June 2016

Field of Dreams (1989 Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta): An Iowa corn farmer, hearing voices, interprets them as a command to build a baseball diamond in his fields; he does, and the Chicago White Sox come. 35

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