Speedway action returns to Tepon

Big season ahead for netball

MAREEBA Netball is gearing up for a big season with hundreds of young netballs flocking to the courts as its junior competition kicks off this Saturday.

Currently there are five U16 and four U12 teams registered and 31 Net Set Go players ready to get on the courts.

The club even hosted coaching and umpiring workshops recently with Netball Queensland representative Richanda Kasman, as the club strengthens its volunteer base by providing them with more training and support.

The club is up about 60 nominations compared to last season and club president Michelle Cifuentes said it is good to see the club grow.

“Last year we had a growth of about 30 nominations and this year it is 60,” she said.

“If more people put up their hands to play senior netball that would be good.

“We had our social night two weeks ago and we had about 10 teams there so if that translates into people playing that would be good.”

Social netball has been running since the beginning of March and has been well attended with 10 teams currently joining in on the fun, the social games help entice new players to the senior competition and also rise much needed funds for junior players that are travelling away.

The club is currently preparing for its U16 representative team to travel to the Sunshine Coast for the Senior State Age Carnival from 1-4 April.

In preparation for State Age the team competed in a carnival held by the Cairns Netball Association last Sunday.

Schools race at mountain bike challenge

STUDENTS with a need for speed competed against each other at the recent Mareeba Mountain Goats Interschool Mountain Bike Race.

This is the first time the competition has been run since 2019, with 86 students from schools across the region flocking to Davies Creek for the big event.

The purpose for the event was to create an opportunity for young people to participate in mountain biking as either a beginner or as an experienced rider.

“We tried to cater for all skill levels and ages, as well as including the girls and giving them a go,” co-ordinator Travis Cummings said.

“We were worried that it was going to be rained out, but we were lucky. Was a hot day but the course was running fast.”

The winner for the 10-12 year old boys was Khy Allen with a total time of 14:52.66 and the girls winner was Alexis Wood with a time of 18:28.62.

Logan Lockyer took out the number one spot for the 13-15 year old boys with a time of 40:52.12 whilst Taylor Stevenson won the girls with a time of 57:30.96.

In the open’s category, Finn Slade flew into first with a time of 52:35.75 over four laps.

The next interschool race will kick off in term two at the Atherton Mountain bike park.

“A massive thankyou to Mareeba Mountain goats for all the work they did, without them it wouldn’t happen. Also, Prince Cyclery in Malanda who came and helped with bike repairs on the day,” Travis said.

RESULTS: D Grade: 3rd – Emma Ross 30 Pts, 2nd –William Jonsson 37 pts, 1st – Harrison Jonsson 49 pts. C Grade: 3rd – Mark & Daniel Toohey 23 pts, 2nd - Sophie Jonsson 39 pts, 1st – Ezra Bartholt 43 pts. B Grade: 3rd – Daniel Weller 29 pts, 2nd – Geoff Schulz 30 pts, 1st –Josh Dotti 34 pts. A Grade: 3rd – David Shade 38 pts, 2nd – Owen Jonsson 39 pts, 1st – Cameron O’Flynn 40pts.