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P I M M ’ S G A R D E N PA R T Y Saturday 8 december 2012
T I C K E T S O N S A L E N OW The Burley Griffin Regatta PIMM’S Garden Party will be the must have ticket for the 2012‑13 summer for Canberra’s chic and fashion conscious crowd. With fantastic views of the finish line & live entertainment playing throughout the day guests will enjoy competitive racing whilst basking in the summer sun enjoying fine food and wine with friends. Tickets include entry to the luxuriously themed PIMM’S Garden Party Marquee on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, live racing action, fashion parades, entertainment and music throughout the day. For more information and full details, visit www.burleygriffinregatta.com.au
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EVENT
Issue #17 November 2012
#17 4. BASEBALL - Canberra Cavalry Charge 7. ACTEWAGL NOVEMBER CALENDAR 8. TENNIS - Canberra Velocity home games 9. DRAGONBOAT- Komodo World Record 10. RUGBY UNION - Brumbies Fare well in Draw 12. BASKETBALL - Journey of Alice Coddington 14. Rugby League - Raiders Gearing up for 2013 16. FEATURE - Burley Griffin Regatta (continued) 19. football- Local Awards 20. AFL- Free Agency Period 22. Racing - Christmas Party Race Day 24. cricket - Meteors International Signings 25. Cricket - PM’s XI update 26. Cycling - 2013 TDF Route Reviled 29. combat - Sonnen Gets His Shot
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Jesse Phillips (left) in action at the London Olympics will be hopeful of a berth in the Burley Griffin Regatta final. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS & COLLABORATORS: Antony Perry Brett McKay Shaun Ebert Adam Phelan Josh Matic Todd Davey Peta Guy Joshua Mercer Chris Cairns PHOTOGRAPHERS: Joseph Purdam Andrew Finch Ben Shouthall
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DISCLAIMER PLAY Canberra is a monthly magazine distributed to over 500 locations in Canberra on the first Thursday of the month. The opinions, view and comments expressed in PLAY do not necessarily reflect those of the editor or publisher. PLAY Canberra is not responsible for the information submitted in the ads by the advertisers. Issue #17 November 2012
Burley Griffin Regatta
Saturday 8 December marks the date of the inaugural Burley Griffin Regatta. An event that mixes the fast and furious action on the water with a refined summer social aspect on the shore. Many of you will know Chris Cairns the cricketer, a proud New Zealander. He defined New Zealand cricket for an era of Australian cricket fans. But many of you may not know Chris Cairns the proud Canberran. In the relative short time Chris has called Canberra home he has become a passionate advocate for the Capital. His appreciation of the surrounds many of us take for granted is one of the reasons for developing the Burley Griffin Regatta.
is quite a substantial piece of water. We didn’t want to have only 4 boats or 6 boats competing and that’s all so that’s why we’ve engaged the traditional boat squadron. They’ll have anywhere between forty to fifty of their craft on that southern side of the basin and then we’ve got the competitors on the northern side of the basin. On the day people will turn up and see the size of the event itself and will go “wow” and that’s what we’re planning to provide”.
“Canberra’s a great spot. There’s a big population here, there’s an active and intelligent population, so we’re just trying to create an event that people will hopefully enjoy and have a great experience at”.
The competition side of the event will be a sporting spectacle, with a field of competitive dragonboaters, kayakers and rowers, including 20 Olympians, that are eager to perform at this new event which is gaining attention both nationally and internationally. “Yes, we’ve had interest from New Zealand and as far afield as Cambridge University because of the type of regatta that we have put together from a competitive point of view. We’ve got 20 odd Olympians coming in so they’re spreading the word in regards as to what we are doing here in Canberra. Then we also have the club level getting on board to compete and win their own category”.
Chris and his wife/Co-director of the event Mel have a strong vision for the event, which goes beyond state boarders and provides Canberrans a chance to show off our city. “We want people from interstate coming to Canberra to experience what we’ve seen here and again this is a great city and it’s about showcasing it in a great light and that’s what we want to do”. The event itself is one unlike Canberra (or possibly the world) has seen before. A Regatta with an estimated 60-80 craft on the water at any one time. It combines traditional boat squadrons - electric or stream powered craft - on the southern side of the central basin along with the competitive aspect of the day on the northern side of the basin, and lets not forget the social aspect on the northern shore of the basin. The scale of the event is impressive and the day will be full of events, as Chris explains ‘that central basin area
The format for the event is unique as it sees different crafts competing against each other, firstly to win their category and secondly to represent their category in a handicapped mixed craft final and ultimately win The Burley Griffin Cup. The event will be split into the three general categories of rowing, dragonboat and kayak. Within the rowing category will be single scullers Continued on page 16 playcanberra.com.au
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season and young men we will be leaning on this year to lead our team,” Bishell said. “It is our pleasure to announce that both Hayden Beard and Steven Kent will be pitching for the Cavalry this season; both will take some time to rest their arms before joining the team in December. Brian Grenning will also be returning this year, last season he was our first man out of the bullpen, this season we hope he will be one of our ace starters. “We would also like to announce that the Toronto Blue Jays will be sending us four (4) players to round out our roster. First Baseman K.C. Hobson, Outfielders Marcus Knecht and Jonathan Jones, and Catcher Jack Murphy will add significant talent to an already strong team.”
Image: Ben Southall
Canberra Cavalry charge into 2012/13 season Rolfe Renault and Rolfe Opel enter into two year naming rights deal From the show room for Rolfe Renault and Rolfe Opel the Canberra Cavalry announced a two year partnership with the dealerships owned by Mr. Richard Rolfe OAM. With the help of Rolfe, the team unveiled new home and road jerseys that will be worn by the Cavalry as they look to bring their first Claxton Shied to the ACT. The Cavalry will again be wearing white jerseys at home with a special Rolfe Renault patch underneath the numbers on the back. Along with a patch marking the centenary of Canberra on the sleeve of the jersey, there will be a heart foundation patch just over the heart of each of the players. On the road, the Cavalry will be trading in their orange for road greys. This jersey will have a Rolfe Opel patch underneath the numbers on the back. On the front of the road jersey will be a logo for Home in Queanbeyan. Cavalry General Manager Thom Carter announced the partnership that includes cash and transportation for the team over the next two seasons. As part of the partnership the Cavalry have expanded its Charitable Partner Program that helped raise over $6,000 for local charities during the 2011-12 season.
“This season we will be wearing four special charity jerseys. After working with Richard (Rolfe) we have identified the Heart Foundation, Legacy, The Canberra Hospital Foundation, and Home in Queanbeyan to highlight during the season. These jerseys will be available as auction items during the games, for the Charities to use during their major fundraisers, and as collector items for fans” said Carter. “Each jersey has a special look that we believe fans will love. We are especially proud of the Home in Queanbeyan jersey. We worked with the ABL, the ACT Government and the Queanbeyan Government to rename the team the Queanbeyan Cavalry for one day, thus giving Queanbeyan a team in a national competition.” With the partnerships announced, General Manager Peter Bishell announced many of the players that will be suiting up in the new and charity uniforms for the Cavalry this season. Local talent will be joined by returning starts, players affiliated with the Toronto Blue Jays, and a handful of new players that are likely to become household names by the end of the season. “It is great to be joined by Kody Hightower and Kyle Perkins, two players that were key to our success last
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Bishell outlined about twenty players, including three additional players from the Hanshin Tigers. Robbie Perkins, considered the top junior prospect in the Territory will play his first professional games of his career for the Cavalry this summer. He was signed by the Colorado Rockies organisation in February, but elected to stay in Canberra to finish his education. He will report to the Rockies after he plays for the Cavalry. Rolfe made one of the biggest announcements of the morning regarding all the players. “It is my pleasure to announce that pitcher Kyle Perkins has been selected by the Australian Baseball Federation to wear the green and gold in the games at the end of the month against the Sydney Blue Sox. These games are in preparation for the World Baseball Classic in March.” Rolfe also spoke of the partnership with the Cavalry. “In just their two short seasons the Cavalry have demonstrated their commitment to the betterment of life in the Canberra region. Everyone that attends a Cavalry game knows that their motto of ‘It’s Not Just Baseball; It’s A Great Night Out’ is truly what they provide. The Cavalry games are a great way for Canberrans to spend their summer nights; you don’t need to know anything about the game of baseball to have fun. By the end of an hour or two you will be so entertained that you will find yourself looking at the schedule trying to get to as many games as possible. I am proud to support this fine organisation. “When we started talking about these charity jerseys, the Cavalry were enthusiastic and accommodating. When they talked about their program from last season and how they could just build from that I was very encouraged. Too many organisations lack the vision to reach out into the community and work with charities, but from their inception, the Cavalry were already working forward in that direction.”
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in home runs (12), and fifth in runs batted in (34), showing the kind of talent he has. He also played in every game for the Cavalry. His batting average was a new record for the league.
Image: Ben Southall
Burgamy Back to the fort ABL Silver Slugger and Cavalry MVP to return to the Fort The Canberra Cavalry announce today the return of the top offensive player from the 2011-12 Australian Baseball League (ABL) season. Brian Burgamy, the winner of the SAM BAT Silver Slugger, signed with the Cavalry earlier this week as the organisation seeks to bring the Claxton Shield to Canberra.
Issue #17 November 2012
Burgamy truly was a force of nature for the Cavalry and made a significant impact in his first ABL season last year. He led the league in hitting (.409), on-base (.510), runs scored (41), hits (67), total bases (111), walks (34), and on-base-plus slugging (1.187). He also came in second in slugging percentage (.677), third
“Getting Burgamy back with the team was the top priority of the organisation since the season ended last year,” General Manger Peter Bishell said. “Every team in the league would want a player of his calibre, and getting him back shows our commitment to winning.” “Getting Burgamy back with the team was the top priority of the organisation since the season ended last year,” General Manger Peter Bishell said. “Every team in the league would want a player of his calibre, and getting him back shows our commitment to winning.” With Burgamy and Kody Hightower, the Cavalry have secured their top two offensive talents from last season; a season in which the missed the finals based on tie-breakers.
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Canberra Socials Above: The launch of The Burley Griffin Regatta at the Hyatt www.burleygriffinregatta.com.au Below: Canberra Darters game act.netball.asn.au
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Issue #17 November 2012
Week 1: 1-4 November Friday 2/11
CANBERRA CAVALRY V SYDNEY BLUE SOX 7.00pm Narrabundah Ball Park CANBERRA HEAT V QUEENSLAND - Volleyball 7.00pm AIS Volleyball Hall CANBERRA CAPITALS V SYDNEY UNI 7.00pm AIS Arena
Saturday 3/11
CANBERRA CAVALRY V SYDNEY BLUE SOX 4.00pm Narrabundah Ball Park CANBERRA HEAT V QUEENSLAND - Volleyball 6.00pm AIS Volleyball Hall ACT Cricket Match of the Round Eastlake v Queanbeyan 10.00am Freebody No 1 ACT Gridiron Match of the Round Wildcats V Centurions 12.45pm Greenway Enclosed Oval
Sunday 4/11
ACT Baseball Match of the Round Indians V Bandits 3.00pm Aranda
Week 2: 5-11 November Wednesday 7/11
CANBERRA HEAT V AIS - Volleyball 7.00pm AIS Volleyball Hall
Friday 9/11
CANBERRA CAPITALS V Adelaide 7.00pm AIS Arena
Saturday 10/11
Meteors V Vic Spirit - Cricket 10.00am Manuka Oval ACT Cricket Match of the Round Queanbeyan v Weston Creek 11.00am Freebody ACT Gridiron Match of the Round Semi Final 5.00pm Greenway Enclosed Oval
Sunday 11/11
Meteors V Vic Spirit - T20 Game 12.00noon Manuka Oval ACT Baseball Match of the Round Eagles V Vikings 3.00pm Viking Park
Week 3: 12-18 November Thursday 15/11
ACT Baseball Mid Week Match of the Round ACTAS V Vikings 7.00pm Narrabundah Ballpark
Saturday 17/11
Canberra Velocity V NSW AUstars - Tennis 2.00pm National Sport Centre CANBERRA HEAT V SA - Volleyball 5.00pm AIS Volleyball Hall ACT Gridiron Match of the Round GRAND FINAL 5.00pm Greenway Enclosed Oval
Sunday 18/11
Canberra Velocity V Hunter Tigers - Tennis 2.00pm National Sport Centre ACT Baseball Match of the Round Bears V Rebels 3.00pm Majura CANBERRA HEAT V SA - Volleyball 11.00am AIS Volleyball Hall
ACTEWAGL November EVENTS CALENDAR Week 4: 19-25 November Friday 23/11
CANBERRA CAVALRY V Melbourne Aces 7.00pm Narrabundah Ball Park
Saturday 24/11
CANBERRA CAVALRY V Melbourne Aces 4.00pm & 7.00pm Narrabundah Ball Park CANBERRA CAPITALS V BULLEEN 7.00pm AIS Arena ACT Cricket Match of the Round Nth Canberra v Ginninderra 11.00am Keith Tournier
Sunday 25/11
CANBERRA CAVALRY V Melbourne Aces 1.00pm Narrabundah Ball Park ACT Baseball Match of the Round Bears V Indians 3.00pm N Curtain
ActewAGL Athletes on the rise
Isabelle & Callie Bourne. Isabelle (age 11) and Callie (age 13) Bourne are sisters that both play U14 Premier grade in the local ACT competition, both girls are also members of the ACT Under 14’s Team. Callie has played representative Basketball since 2005 and Isabelle since 2006. Isabelle was recently named MVP for ACT Primary School team at the Melbourne tournament, while Callie received the same honour at the 2010 NSW Country Championships. They are pictured during a surprise coaching session with Canberra Capitals star Lauren Jackson - full article in the next issue. THE ActewAGL Athlete on the Rise recognises and rewards the achievements of our rising sporting talent. The award caters for athletes at all levels of competition. It is not only results that count, but good sportsmanship as well. Do you know someone that qualifies as an ActewAGL Athlete on the Rise? Send all nominations to athlete@playcanberra.com.au
ActewAGL Retail ABN 46 221 314 841.
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The new league, Larkham says, will also help young players financially. “The ATL is a great vehicle for aspiring professionals to earn income and develop their game and the open competition will benefit our players a lot,” he says. Kygrios will be joined by Alex Bolt, the 19-year-old Canberra-based AIS scholarship holder from South Australia. Like the Canberran, Bolt has enjoyed a breakthrough season this year, winning his first Pro Tour title in South Australia in September and reaching the final in Esperance two weeks later.
Image: Mae Dumrigue
NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Dual junior Grand Slam winner Nick Kyrgios is looking forward to his next challenge at Lyneham. By Lyndall Parker. @ACTvelocity. He’s triumphed at the French Open and Wimbledon, and the next challenge for Canberra’s Nick Kyrgios is to be victorious on home soil – in the new Asia-Pacific Tennis League.
Lyneham in front of my family and friends is a bonus.”
Kyrgios, the world junior No5, will lead the Canberra Velocity team in the NSW/ACT conference which starts this month.
The men’s team meets the National Academy NSW AUStars on Saturday, led by Jordan Thompson (Australian ranking 63), Jay Andrijic (79) and Nick Horton (99); then Hunter Raworth Tigers (Ethan Coker, 83, and Jordan Smith, 94) on Sunday.
The five-round competition, which kicks off on Thursday, November 8, will feature the best and emerging talent from around Australia. Not surprisingly, given his success internationally, the 17-year-old Canberran likes his chances in the new domestic competition. Kygrios has had a stellar year at junior Grand Slam level, reaching the singles quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the US Open; while in doubles, he teamed with Andrew Harris to win the French Open and Wimbledon titles, before reaching the US Open final (with Jordan Thompson).
Canberra Velocity will play their first home ties at the National Sports Centre in Lyneham on Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18.
The women’s team plays an Abbie Meyers- led National Academy NSW AUStars on Saturday and the NSTA Avengers team, consisting of Danielle Wagland (Australian ranking 53) and Melissa Anderson (57), on Sunday. Former Canberra professionals Annabel Parolo (nee Ellwood) and Todd Larkham, currently the ACT National Academy head coach, will mentor the women’s and men’s teams.
His good form continued at Margaret River last month when he beat former world junior No.1 Luke Saville in straight sets on his way to reaching the semi-finals of a Futures event for the first time.
Larkham says the new domestic competition, the first of its kind in Australia, is an invaluable opportunity for the current crop of emerging tennis stars to gain some much-needed experience.
“I’m playing well at the moment,” Kyrgios said. “If I can keep this level then hopefully I can do well at home at Lyneham. I love playing in Australia, and playing at
“It’s a great opportunity for former players to compete again and to be able to sit on the court, Davis and Fed Cup style, and pass on some advice,” he says.
Canberra Velocity home games
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Come and enjoy a festival atmosphere for the home games, including; music, exhibition matches with the ACT Brumbies, demonstration of Cardio Tennis and MLC Tennis Hot Shots and childrens entertainment.
17 November:
Canberra Velocity v National Academy NSW AUStars National Sport Centre Lyneham 2.00pm
18 November:
Canberra Velocity v Hunter Raworth Tigers National Sport Centre Lyneham 2.00pm
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He now boasts a career high ranking of 476 and, with three ITF doubles titles to his name, he will be a force for Canberra Velocity. Local juniors James Frawley and Andrew Zedde, and former tour players Alun Jones and Larkham (player/manager), complete the men’s line-up. Larkham is excited about the team’s prospects. “Five out of the six players are Canberra born and bred, and the other is based here, we couldn’t have hoped for a better team,” he says. “It’s a very young team, with some of our best teenage players in Australia and they are improving rapidly. Our goal is to win the NSW/ACT conference and we believe we will be highly competitive in the national final.” Canberra teenager Ashley Keir will lead the Canberra Velocity women’s team. The 18-year-old scholarship holder with the National Academy Canberra is currently the sixth-ranked junior in Australia. She will be joined by fellow Canberran and tour player Alison Bai. Ranked 758 in the world, Bai, 22, spends most of the year playing International Tennis Federation (ITF) events around the world. With a WTA singles ranking of 869 and doubles ranking of 352, she is the most experienced young player in the Canberra Velocity team. Canberra-based Tarlina Tipungwuti, 20, and NSW pair Tyra Calderwood and Nicole Hoynaski (NSW) complete the line-up. With a career-high WTA singles ranking of 57, former professional Parolo will bring invaluable experience to the rookie line-up as team manager. Parolo says she was excited by Canberra Velocity’s prospects in the new league. “We are the strongest team on paper in our conference,” she says. “All five girls are of similar standard and we are confident of doing well.” The five Australian conferences will be played in November with four conference rounds and a conference final. The five Australian conference winners, plus a team from the Pacific Islands, New Zealand and Asia will compete in the national final at Melbourne Park during the 2013 Australian Open in January. Issue #17 November 2012
Canberra public who can come down and support us throughout the 24 hours, and enjoy the once in a lifetime opportunity of witnessing a Canberra club enter the Guinness Book of World Records.” said an excited attempt leader, David Miler. “All going well, we expect to break the record between 4:00pm and 5:30pm on Saturday November 10. Sunday will be a slow and possibly painful day but a few beers after the attempt should ease the pain.” The club members and supporters will manage everything from paddler support, official record keeping duties, and maintaining the morale of the paddlers up as the hours grind on . The event will also be a fundraiser for the club who have also committed to donate a percentage of every dollar raised to support Cerebral Palsy research.
Komodo Paddle Club Attempt Guinness World 24hr Record on Lake Burley Griffin. 175.5 km, 24 hours, 20 paddlers and 1 world record – that’s what in front of the Komodo Paddle Club as they march toward their Guinness World 24hr Dragon Boat Record. They will attempt to break the existing World Record starting at 6:00pm on November 9 on Lake Burley Griffin. The team headquarters for the attempt will be based at Commonwealth Place.
@komodopaddle.
The British Masters crew hold the current world record, which stands at a daunting 175.5 km. The Komodo Paddle Club has been preparing since early August for the attempt and has clocked up hundreds of kilometres in training. “We know it will be tough and we will be relying heavily on our support crew. Even more important will be the support and encouragement of the
“Komodo is a very young club in our third season. The club has grown on the back of our family atmosphere and through the support of the Ainslie Football Club.” “The commitment and passion shown for this attempt is 100% Komodo, and this as a great challenge to take on. We also love the thought of taking a World Record off the Poms.” said David. Komodo will be raising funds through sponsorship and donations to the event can be made directly through club website at http://www.everydayhero. com.au/guiness_komodo
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Brumbies fare well in 2013 Super Rugby draw
The 2013 Super Rugby draw was released late last month and the Brumbies have come out of proceedings reasonably well. By Brett McKay @BMcSport to emulate the 2001 British and Irish rugby invasion of the Capital. The Super Rugby draw for 2013 sees the Brumbies avoiding the 2012 Champions, the Chiefs, and they face all four South African opponents in a block in March and April. Image: Ben Southall
The 2013 Super Rugby draw was released late last month and the Brumbies have come out of proceedings reasonably well. The Super Rugby draw is a complex beast in 2013, with the British and Irish Lions’ Tour of Australia forcing an earlier start in the Australian conference, and with New Zealand and South African teams resuming in June while the Wallabies host the Lions in three Tests in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The Brumbies will also host the Lions, taking on the tourists on Tuesday June 18 in a midweek clash sure
Importantly, crunch matches against the Bulls, Crusaders, and Hurricanes, will all be played at Canberra Stadium. The Brumbies’ Australian conference games are dotted throughout the draw, with three local games in the first three weeks, three games in four weeks over April and May, and two local matches either side of the break for the Lions Tour.
Meanwhile, the lure of the British and Irish Lions, the recruitment of Wallaby flanker David Pocock, and the return of Clyde Rathbone have the Brumbies on track to top their 2012 membership tally, and are well on the way to reaching their target of 10,000 members for the 2013 season. Memberships will remain on sale until March, and as well as securing your seats for what should be a bumper season of Super Rugby, you’ll also gain priority purchase access to the Brumbies clash with the Lions, any home semi-finals that may materialise and, Wallabies matches played in Sydney next season including the final Test against the Lions.
For those wanting to mark ‘Waratah Weeks’ into their calendars early, March 9 at home, and May 18 up in Sydney are the dates you’re looking for.
One new initiative for 2013 is a General Admission membership, which at $145 for Adults, $65 for school students and under-18s, or $355 for a family of four, is a cost-effective way to see all eight Brumbies home games.
Check out www.brumbies.com.au for the full Super Rugby draw.
For more info, give the Brumbies Membership Hotline a call on 1300 733 899.
New Zealand claim inaugural Rugby Championship title By Brett McKay
The first season of The Rugby Championship has been declared a raging success, with New Zealand claiming the title after going through the series undefeated, and Argentina more than holding their own in the elite company of southern hemisphere rugby. The All Blacks finished the tournament with six wins from six outings in four countries, reaffirming their status as the best international rugby team by some margin. It was mixed tournament for the Wallabies, finishing with three wins and an injury toll large enough to fill a touring squad.
South Africa 31 defeated Australia 8. Pretoria, South Africa Coming in the same week Quade Cooper made his now infamous comments about the so-called “toxic” environment in and around the Wallabies, this performance at Loftus Versfeld will go down as one the Wallabies worst in 2012. The Springboks held a 14-3 lead at the break, but came out in the second forty and blew the Wallabies away, notching up a bonus point on their way to a comprehensive five tries to one win. 10
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Argentina 15 lost to New Zealand 54. La Plata, Argentina Argentina did their very best to stay with the All Blacks up-tempo game during the first half, and by scoring the first try of the second half, proved that they’re not at all out of place in the company of the SANZAR superpowers. They hit the wall on the hour though, and as New Zealand cleared the bench, the game quickly got away from the home side. Argentina were nowhere near 40-points worse on the night, but such was the form of the red hot All Blacks as they secured the title.
South Africa 16 lost to New Zealand 32. Johannesburg, South Africa The All Blacks completed their unbeaten series with a clinical display at the National Stadium in Soweto. Springboks winger, Bryan Habana crossed to open an early lead for the home side, and despite the All Blacks hitting back with two quick tries, South Africa took a narrow lead into the break. The second half was all New Zealand, though, where two tries in the first twelve minutes quickly knocked
the game out of South Africa’s reach. All Blacks no.8 Kieran Read was immense yet again, as he was throughout The Rugby Championship.
Argentina 19 lost to Australia 25. Rosario, Argentina Each team exchanged penalty goals for the best part of an hour in a match that had equal parts of highintensity rugby and basic skill errors. Ill-discipline also plagued both teams, with each side losing players to the sin bin at different points. The Wallabies ultimately iced the game through a Digby Ioane try, one of the best set-piece tries the Wallabies scored in 2012. Holding on for dear life, the Wallabies were able to hold out a fast-finishing Pumas side to record a gutsy win.
Final Standings New Zealand 26pts Australia 12 (3 win) South Africa 12 (2 wins) Argentina 4
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The practice routines that father and daughter made part of their weekly schedules were in fact part of a much larger picture, being Alice’s off-season workouts on her annual break between academic years at Utah State University in Logan, Utah where she was on a student-athlete scholarship. Alice quickly graduated from wanting to be part of her brother’s sports to become a talented multi-sport youngster in her own right, dominating as a long and triple jumper in her age group in Canberra before settling on basketball’s more defined pathway.
Image: Ben Southall
The Evolution of Alice Brendan Parnell.
@CanberraCaps
The chill that routinely blankets the city of Canberra is a touch sharper inside the tin shed that is Belconnen Basketball Stadium on this particular winter morning, though at the farthest end of one of the remote backcourts there is a steady hum of activity. The young girl at the heart of the action is methodically repeating sequences of shooting, dribbling, running and jumping that, when combined with the sweet sound of the ball beating on the wooden floor, are strangely soothing. Assisting in the process is a middle-aged gentleman who scurries after each loose ball enthusiastically and returns it to the young girl with haste so that the action, which has by now bathed her in sweat, can continue unabated.
Roll forward four years to today and that same man sits modestly trying to deflect having any major part in the evolution of that same young girl, his daughter Alice Coddington, who now enjoys a professional career in marketing with the Australian National University and a contract as a guard with the country’s best known female sporting team the Canberra Capitals. “When her older brother Aaron was little he played football, basketball and just about everything else and Alice would tag along and be desperate to jump in and play,“ Graham Coddington explains. “My wife and I were always happy to have Alice busy with sports as all the practice and play left little time for distractions and in truth we loved going to watch it all,” he said.
“Every day I’m thankful that I went to Utah State and glad I made that decision to go overseas and get an education. It’s such a good system they have over there where everything is under one roof and it’s all designed to help you improve as a player but moreover to get an education and develop as a person,” “She’s always liked to know the process and appreciates order, and basketball had that type of pathway,” Graham said. “She was also extremely determined and even going to national championships where ACT kids can often get discouraged as the talent from bigger states kicks in, she never seemed to be phased and simply wanted to have a crack and know what she needed to do to get better.” So how does an amazing journey that started with her own desire and competitiveness feel for the lady herself? “Growing up in Canberra I always saw the Capitals play and knew who they all were so it was certainly on my mind to try and play WNBL but not necessarily one of my dreams,” Alice said this week. “Every day I’m thankful that I went to Utah State and glad I made that decision to go overseas and
SYDNEY FRI 2 NOV ADELAIDE FRI 9 NOV LOGAN FRI 30 NOV
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Issue #17 November 2012
“I think through her adventures Alice has come to realize the world is a broader place and that sport is not all consuming, which is healthy. Between the NFL, the WNBL, Australia, America and her career there’s so much for her to look forward to.” get an education. It’s such a good system they have over there where everything is under one roof and it’s all designed to help you improve as a player but moreover to get an education and develop as a person,” she said.
together. We thought it was best to come back and have another shot so as not to live life with any regrets and Skype is a lifesaver,” Alice said. “Seeing him play his first NFL game against the Carolina Panthers was exciting because he’d reached his dream and now he’s living it and I see it first hand and get to be part of it with him. “It reminds me what you can do when you believe in yourself and he’s someone who took a different and unexpected path to get to where he wanted and that’s proven to me that with that that belief you can do anything.” In terms of the Capitals and her own role within the team structure Alice is feeling a lot more comfortable after the usual rookie blues in year one.
Another almost unintentional consequence of her four-year stint in Utah was meeting her fiancé Mike Smith, a member of the Utah State football team, who is also now pursuing his sporting dreams with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the world’s best known football competition the American National Football League (NFL).
“There were definitely points in the first year where practice was tough, I wasn’t playing and the doubts started to creep in but I’m glad I stuck with it. It definitely made me a better person and a better player and I learnt a huge amount from Graffy (Capitals Coach Carrie Graf) and the other staff,” she said. “Things are much more comfortable now as the systems get more familiar and my role backing up Flea (Nicole Hunt) is one I’m working to get better at, being able to defend both guard spots and keep the team ticking over.”
“I went back to Utah in the off-season and the decision to come back was one Mike and I made
Alice’s story is in many respects a template for a never-ending source of discussion amongst sports
Issue #17 November 2012
scientists and coaches the world over. Just how or why does a young girl from a conservative family and a well-rounded private school education (Radford College in Canberra) develop such competitive fire and enjoyment of physical activity and training regimes? Is it nature or nurture? Certainly meeting Alice early before work one morning recently she simply glows with good health and optimism in a highly contagious way that makes the short interview time she had available just fly by. However clues to her competitive “secret” are in short supply on this morning and maybe it’s simply the ability to combine sport as just part of life’s puzzle that makes her able to enjoy diving headlong into whatever sporting contests throw in front of her. Whatever the case, this year is another big step for Alice in a basketball and life sense and there’s no doubt that her progress with the Capitals can only be an inspiration for the next generation of budding local youngsters. As her former training helper (and dad) notes, “I think through her adventures Alice has come to realize the world is a broader place and that sport is not all consuming, which is healthy. Between the NFL, the WNBL, Australia, America and her career there’s so much for her to look forward to.”
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on the back end of the season which resulted in an amazing run of wins and a place in the top six. The season saw players like Josh Papalii, Sam Williams and Josh McCrone show why they’ve been earmarked for NRL footy, while David Shillington led from the front with distinction in the absence of Terry Campese. Off the field the Raiders looked for bigger and better ways to embrace their membership base in 2012 and they’ll continue this in 2013 with their highly successful 100-4-100 campaign returning, as the raiders embark on 100 unique opportunities for their members to be involved with the club. This season the Raiders attended birthday parties, held private dinners and even attended a members wedding and they’re on the look at new ways to engage with members in the coming year.
Green machine gearing up for 2013 Raiders return from holidays to build on 2012 late season momentum. It’s hard to believe, but the Raiders will return to preseason training this month in preparation for their 2013 campaign. It seems like a few short weeks ago that 25,000 people packed into Canberra Stadium to see the Green Machine send the Sharks packing in week one of the finals and now that the season is over, NRL clubs are already plotting their assault on the new premiership.
make your move 0412 487 388
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Membership is an important part of the Raiders success and in 2013 the club will push towards 10,000 members for the first time in Canberra’s Centenary year.
For the Raiders, 2012 was a roller coaster ride that no one could have anticipated. After a disappointing 2011 the team went into the year with high hopes, but by the mid-point of the season things were not going to plan.
This celebration of Canberra’s centenary is highlighted at a rugby league level in April when the Kangaroos play the Kiwis in the mid-season test at Canberra Stadium and becoming a member is the best way to ensure you get first crack at tickets to the big match.
Calls to sack Coach David Furner and stand down some prominent players were coming from some portions of the media and fan base, but to their credit the team managed to block out the external noise and concentrate
Memberships are on sale now and can be found at www.raiders.com.au or by calling Raiders HQ on (02) 6253 3515. In 2013 the Raiders are asking fans what’s your number?
not sure where to start? Choosing the right home loan can be a bit daunting. That’s where we come in. We have access to hundreds of home loan products from our wide panel of lenders. So let’s sit down and compare and contrast them and find the options that suit you. We’ll also help with the paperwork and do all the running around. So talk to us today.
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Issue #17 November 2012
TREAT FAMILY, FRIENDS & YOURSELF THIS CHRISTMAS.
CANBERRA
RAIDERS
MEMBERSHIP 2013
WHAT’S
YOUR
NUMBER?
visit raiders.com.au/membership or call 6253 3515 Issue #17 November 2012
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a really good idea of the strength, speed and power that goes into rowing that doesn’t quite show up on TV”. But it won’t be all work for the competitors as Sarah explains they are looking forward to the social aspect of the day. It will be an Olympic reunion for many of them as they move through the Pimms Garden Party and the different marquees on the day. “We’ll certainly get time during the day to watch the other finals and socialize. Then the last race of the day is the Burley Griffin Cup and hopefully we’ll be in that one, but we will certainly get time in the Pimms Garden Party and the other marquees throughout the day. “Racing will start mid-morning on the Saturday so when everybody starts to arrive for the social side of things we’ll be moving into the finals. People will be able to watch what’s going on in the water but also be entertained in their respective marquees”.
Image: Getty.
Event ambassador Sarah Cook (fourth from left) in action at the London Olympics. Sarah will be racing in a womens four at the Burley Griffin Regatta.
Continued from page 3
from each final will dictate your handicap for the race and everyone will be going all out in their finals earlier in the day. So really you should have everyone crossing the line at the same time. It will be really interesting to see how it unfolds, I don’t know, it will be different from the start because you’ll be going one after the other, but by the time you get to the 450m mark you should expect things to be getting pretty hairy around there. It should be fun.”
and fours and that’ll be elite and club level as well as male and female. Then there is the dragonboats, male, female and mixed categories and any one that knows a dragonboater will know just how competitive the Canberra community is. And there is the single kayaks male and female. As Chris explains “It’s a festival of craft really and that’s sort of what we’re trying to create is that unique environment but mindful that Sarah will be a competing on the day and looks forward every category will produce a winner of it’s own style to a furious day of World class racing. “I think we’ve got so there will be the elite 20 Olympians coming in, dragonboaters and there 16 rowers and 4 kayakers will be the elite rowers but You are going to be seeing the and we all know each other there will also be the club pretty well, so it should best guys in the world racing. It’s element as well in their own good. I’ll be competing going to be a really good show and be category. in one of the Australians
you’ll get a really good idea of the women’s fours. We’ve put “It all culminates in the Burley Griffin Cup. Mel and strength, speed and power that together two women’s I sort of threw the idea goes into rowing that doesn’t quite fours and two men’s fours and I’ll be in one of the around initially because show up on TV” women’s ones.” we thought that it’s great that everybody wins their -Sarah Cook Sarah encourages category but what can we everyone to get down do as a finale? So that’s to the event and watch why Mel and I came up with the idea of the handicapped the racing first hand. Seeing the action live will put race across all disciplines . If you’ve won your category into perspective just how fast and furious the action you’re in to the final race which will be a handicapped is “It’s funny we always watch footage of ourselves race. In theory we’ll get everybody crossing the line at a at international events on TV and we think – gosh it similar time, so that’ll be the winner of the Burley Griffin looks so slow, because in real life its so fast and I think Cup. standing on the bank you will get a good appreciation London Olympian and event ambassador Sarah Cook can’t wait to see how the mixed craft final will play out “it should work that everyone will cross the line together, so hopefully it will be a realistic indication of who the best crew is. With the handicap system the winning time 16
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of how fast and furious it is, particularly in the fours and the men’s fours especially, where there will be four Olympic silver medallists competing in that category. You are going to be seeing the best guys in the world racing. It’s going to be a really good show and you’ll get
Just as important as the racing, more so for some, will be this social aspect of the day. The event represents a coming of age for Canberra as we close in on our 100th year. If you are familiar with the races at Henley or the spring carnival in Melbourne, ie the famed Birdcage, you will get an idea of the direction of this event. It will be a great chance for Canberrans to get dressed up and enjoy the lake, as I’m sure Walter Burley Griffin would have envisaged. Entertainment options will include the Pimms Garden Party where, keeping in mind the style of the event, DJ’s will perform from 11 o’clock thru till 5. It will be an area where you can socialize with a group of friends and just interact while having the competition on the water as a backdrop. On the corporate side will be the Hyatt Pavilion, which will include live cooking stations and champagne bars. “We want to deliver the best hospitality that Canberra has seen. We are comfortable with what we are capable of delivering and we know that the day will be a fantastic experience for competitors, enthusiasts and people in hospitality. We’re confident everybody on the day will walk away saying “we had a great time” and that’s what we want to happen. Being year one we want to get the regatta on the map, get people to see it, get people to enjoy it and have a great experience. The best form of advertising is word of mouth and we can build on that for next year, the centenary and future years. It’s not only starting to attract national interest but international interest, so we are really keen to developed this. Canberra is a great spot and the facility on the lake is awesome. We just want to create something that Canberra can be proud of. Corporate entertain a lot outside of Canberra, they go to a lot of things, we’re saying to cooperates, we’re putting on an event here that is going to be as good as anything that is in Australia, so bring your clients to Canberra and entertain here. Let’s be proud of what’s around in Canberra - that’s really our vision for it. For further information on the event and to buy tickets please go to www.burleygriffinregatta.com.au Issue #17 November 2012
SATUR DAY 8 DecembeR 2012
TIcK eTS NOW ON SALe www.burleygriffinregatta.com.au
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Australian open 2013
Corporate Hospitality
LPGA Tour comes to Canberra for the first time to help celebrate the Centenary. The Nation’s Capital is set to host the world’s best female golfers when the ISPS HANDA Australian Women’s Open tees off at the Royal Canberra Golf Club next February. The championship, which comes to Canberra for the first time in its history, is part of the 2013 Centenary of Canberra celebrations and will again be the seasonopening event on the LPGA Tour with prize money of US$1.2 million. Local professional Nikki Campbell went close to capturing the 2012 Australian Women’s Open earlier this year at Royal Melbourne. Campbell started the final round in second place and just one shot behind the eventual champion, Jessica Korda. Home course knowledge and local support should see Campbell challenging again for the 2013 title.
Volunteer Program Volunteering for the 2013 ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open is sure to be a rewarding, fun and unique experience. If you’re a golf fan, you’ll simply never have a better chance to get this close to the action. And even if you’re not a golf fanatic, you can play a major role. There are plenty of volunteer duties that don’t require any golf knowledge whatsoever. You may be keeping score for a golf legend, driving a major championship winner to the
A number of exciting hospitality opportunities are available during the tournament week. These include: • The Canberra Hospital Foundation and ISPS Foundation “I love Golf Charity Gala” at the Hotel Realm on Tuesday 12th February. The best of Opera with some of Australia’s greatest voices, behind the scenes interviews with the best golfers in the world and Dance the night away to live entertainment from one of Australia’s most popular bands. • “Breakfast with the Stars” at Royal Canberra Golf Club, Thursday 14th February. (7:30am – 10:00am).
airport or walking 18 holes with a threesome like Karrie Webb, Nikki Campbell and Yani Tseng. Volunteer Registrations: www.womensaustralianopen.com.au
Free Junior Clinics As part of the Women’s Open, Junior clinics will be held on Wednesday 13th February (5:00pm) and Sunday 17th February (10:00am). The LPGA Tour Professionals will be on hand for this fun and interactive golf clinic. Junior Clinic Registrations: www.womensaustralianopen.com.au
Take this unique opportunity to meet some of the ‘Simply Irresistible’ stars of the 2013 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open Championship. A lovely way to start your Valentine’s Day, you will be entertained with humour and delights from beginning to end. •“The Trophy Club” at Royal Canberra Golf Club, Tournament days, Thursday 14th February through Sunday 17th February. (10:00am – 4:00pm). Perfectly positioned overlooking the 18th green, this spacious and luxuriously appointed facility affords spectacular views of the biggest stars in action. The Trophy Club is the ideal setting to entertain your guests in style, capturing all the excitement from the ‘simply irresistible’ golfers in the heat of competition on the final hole. Further details: www.womensaustralianopen.com.au
Jason Lancsar COERVER® Coaching Asia Pacific Director We hope you enjoy our Coerver Coaching Play Magazine homework designed to improve your game but above all have fun while practicing. This month we look at one of Coerver Coaching’s Ball Mastery practices. The Grass to Grass (fake pass) ball mastery technique is used to improve ball feeling/control.
COERVER Coaching Master Class Series. Topic: Grass to Grass / Fake Pass 1. Keep the ball close, not far out in front of you. 2. As you become more confident increase speed in the action. 3. Try using opposite foot to ensure confidence in using both feet.
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Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Start with ball inside of foot ensure standing leg knee bent for good balance.
With same foot roll foot over ball slightly touching the ball first with instep then sole of foot.
Ball should now be on outside of foot.
Go back same way reversing the process.
Ball should finish where you started.
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See next issue for more tips from Coerver Coaching or for further information please visit our website www.coerver.com.au
Issue #17 November 2012
C u @ the game
this season Dustin Wells and Sammie Wood win top awards
wesfield w-league
season 5
@CapitalFootball.
string of excellent performances saw her over the line ahead of her rivals.
Blue Devils playmaker Wells claimed the loop Premier League Player of the Year award by a solitary point from Cooma Tigers’ Grand Final goal hero Stephen Domenici in a close run affair and thus took home the prestigious title for the third year in a row. There was some consolation for Domenici in the shape of the Golden Boot for most goals in the loop Premier League, shared with Wells, Tigers team mate Alex Oloriegbe and Mark Shields of Tuggeranong United.
Belconnen United Head Coach Steve Forshaw claimed the loop Premier League Coach of the Year award, as voted for by his peers, whilst ANU WFC Head Coach Linda Uhlmann was rewarded for a good season with the University club by taking out the women’s honours.
Wood meanwhile made her way through a clustered field to take out the Tradies award with 28 points, eight more than runner-up and 2011 winner Amy Wilson of Belconnen United. Wood’s finish to the season was remarkable as she wasn’t even in the top six at the half-way stage, but a Issue #17 November 2012
There was a four way tie in the Tradies Golden Boot standings as well with Wood’s Canberra FC team mates Jennifer Bisset and Erin Clout joined on fourteen goals by Caitlin Munoz of Belconnen United and Ashleigh Palombi of Woden Valley.
Referee Geoff Ashurst was awarded a Capital Football Life Membership with Katrina Neuss, a long-time servant of the women’s game in many capacities inducted into the Capital Football Hall of Fame. Mike Swan of the Woden Valley club and Gianni D’Addario, a founding member of the ACT Soccer Academy and long-time contributor to a number of clubs in a variety of positions received an Award of Distinction for their services to the game.
Saturday 3rd NOVEMBER Kick off 4pm Canberra United v ADELAIDE UNITED Tickets: $10 Adult $5 Concession Children under-12 Free Gates open at 3pm
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Dustin Wells of Belconnen United and Sammie Wood of Canberra FC emerged as the big winners at the Capital Football Annual Awards evening held at the Southern Cross Club Woden last month by claiming the respective Player of the Year trophies in the loop and Tradies Premier Leagues.
AFL Free agency/trade period ByTodd Davey
@ToddJDavey.
An eventful AFL trade period has come to an end - how did your club fare? ADELAIDE In: Angus Graham (Richmond); draft selection 54 Out: Chris Knights (Richmond); draft selection 43 Verdict: Kurt Tippett situation was an absolute disaster for the Crows, and the acquisition of Angus Graham is a questionable move at best. Grade: F BRISBANE LIONS In: Brent Moloney (Melbourne); Stefan Martin (Melbourne) Out: draft selections 53, 73 Verdict: If Melbourne duo Moloney and Martin can return to their best form, Michael Voss may have pulled off the coup of the period. That is a big if, however. Grade: C CARLTON BLUES In: Draft selection 71 Out: Jordan Russell (Collingwood) Verdict: Horrible off-season for the Blues. They placed all their eggs in the Travis Cloke basket, and when he resigned with the Pies it left the Blues in the lurch. Grade: F COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES In: Quinten Lynch (West Coast); Clinton Young (Hawthorn); Jordan Russell (Carlton); Draft selections 18, 21, 39 Out: Chris Dawes (Melbourne); Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast); Tom Young (Western Bulldogs); draft selections 42, 48, 58 Verdict: Fantastic work by the Collingwood list manager Derek Hine, securing great deals for departing players, while acquiring ready-made replacements. Big winners. Grade: A ESSENDON BOMBERS In: Brendon Goddard (St Kilda); draft selection 52 Out: Angus Monfries (Port Adelaide) Verdict: The Bombers were the big winners of the inaugural free agency period, securing the services of St.Kilda superstar Brendon Goddard on a four year deal. Grade: A
up the best young player to switch clubs, while also securing the services of two quality, albeit injuryprone players in McIntosh and Rivers. Could yield a premiership or could backfire spectacularly. Grade: B+ GOLD COAST SUNS In: Tom Murphy (Hawthorn); Greg Broughton (Fremantle); Jack Martin (GWS mini-draft); 2011 compensation selection end round one; 2010 compensation selection round one; draft selections 13, 57, 59, 60 Out: Josh Caddy (Geelong); Tom Hickey (St Kilda); compensation selection end round one; Draft picks no.2, 26, 47, 69 Verdict: The Suns priority was to spread the age of their list, and it’s exactly what they achieved. Although losing Hickey and Caddy brings their grade down. GRADE: BGREATER WESTERN SYDNEY GIANTS In: Stephen Gilham (Hawthorn); draft selections 2, 3, 12, 14, 28, 65 Out: Jack Hombsch, Jake Neade (Port Adelaide); Dominic Barry (Melbourne); Tom Lee (St Kilda), Jed Anderson (Hawthorn); draft selections 20, 24, 29, 43, 68 Verdict: Sensational work from the Giants team. They now have picks one, two and three in the draft, as well as adding some experience to their backline. Huge winners. Verdict: A+ HAWTHORN HAWKS In: Jed Anderson (GWS); Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs); Matt Spangher (Sydney Swans); draft selections 29, 68, 72 Out: Stephen Gilham (GWS); Thomas Murphy (Gold Coast); Clinton Young (Collingwood); draft selections 22, 44, 65 Verdict: Interesting period from the Hawks. Their decision to pick up two time All-Australian Brian Lake could be the impetus they need in defence, or it could be a monumental disaster. Grade: B
FREMANTLE DOCKERS In: Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide), draft selection 37 Out: Greg Broughton (Gold Coast); draft selection 60 Verdict: The pick up of Danyle Pearce raised eyebrows, but Fremantle Coach Ross Lyon has a knack for getting the best out of inconsistent players. Injury-prone backman Greg Broughton departs, seemingly not in Lyon’s premiership plans. Grade: C-
MELBOURNE DEMONS In: Shannon Byrnes (Geelong); Dominic Barry (GWS); Chris Dawes (Collingwood Magpies), David Rodan (Port Adelaide Power), Jesse Hogan (GWS mini-draft), draft selection 49 Out: Brent Moloney (Brisbane Lions); Jared Rivers (Geelong); draft selections 3, 14, 27, 48, 88 Verdict: Coach Mark Neeld took the axe to the playing list while also bringing in several experienced players from other clubs. Time will tell if he has made the right move. Grade: C
GEELONG CATS In: Josh Caddy (Gold Coast); Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne); Jared Rivers (Melbourne) Out: Shannon Byrnes (Melbourne); draft selections 36, 59; first-round compensation pick Verdict: Interesting moves from the Cats. They picked
NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS In: Jordan Gysberts (Melbourne), draft selections 42, 48, 63 Out: Hamish McIntosh (Geelong), Aaron Edwards (Richmond) Cameron Pedersen (Melbourne) Verdict: Missing out on Ben Jacobs from Port brings their mark down, after the homesick youngster
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nominated the Roos as club of choice. Although the acquisition of Gysberts somewhat offsets the disappointment of missing Jacobs, it counts as an opportunity lost. Grade: D PORT ADELAIDE POWER In: Angus Monfries (Essendon); Jack Hombsch (GWS); Jake Neade (GWS); Lewis Stevenson (West Coast); Campbell Heath (Sydney Swans); draft selections 30, 31, 85 Out: Troy Chaplin (Richmond), Danyle Pearce (Fremantle), David Rodan (Melbourne); draft selections 52, 29, 72, 88 Verdict: Lost some experienced players via free agency, but picked up some ready made replacements. No big names but the players acquired fill holes in defence and up forward. Grade: C+ RICHMOND TIGERS In: Troy Chaplin (Port Adelaide); Chris Knights (Adelaide); Aaron Edwards (North Melbourne); draft selection 43 Out: Angus Graham (Adelaide); draft selection 50, 74 Verdict: The Tigers targeted mature aged talent and got their wish. Chaplin fills a gaping hole down back, while Knights and Edwards provide two solid targets up forward. Grade: B+ ST KILDA SAINTS In: Tom Hickey (Gold Coast); Tom Lee (GWS); Trent DennisLane (Sydney Swans); draft selections 25, 26, 41, 44 Out: Brendon Goddard (Essendon): Jamie Cripps (West Coast); draft selections 12, 37, 57 Verdict: Saints lose marks for losing Goddard and Cripps cheaply, while not securing Mitch Brown from the Eagles, whom they tried to lure across to Victoria unsuccessfully. However, the pick up of talented young ruckman Tom Hickey is a big plus. Grade: C+ SYDNEY SWANS In: Draft selections 47, 66, 72 Out: Campbell Heath (Port Adelaide); Matt Spangher (Hawthorn); Trent Dennis-Lane (St Kilda); draft selections 72, 85 Verdict: Bit of a nothing period for the Swans. No big losses in the player department. Failure to secure Crows bigman Kurt Tippett is a bitter disappointment for the reigning premiers. Grade: E WEST COAST EAGLES In: Sharrod Wellingham (Collingwood); Jamie Cripps (St Kilda); Cale Morton (Melbourne); draft selections 46 and 62 Out: Quinten Lynch (Collingwood); Koby Stevens (Western Bulldogs); Lewis Stevenson (Port Adelaide); draft selections 18, 41 Verdict: Paid slight overs to secure Wellingham, but that is offset by the cheap acquisitions of Cripps and Morton. Grade: C+ WESTERN BULLDOGS In: Koby Stevens (West Coast); draft selection 22 Out: Brian Lake (Hawthorn); draft selections 27, 44, 71 Verdict: Brought in midfielder Koby Stevens from West Coast relatively cheaply, while sending enigmatic Fullback Brian Lake to the Hawks. Quiet period for the Dogs. Grade: CIssue #17 November 2012
AFL 9s kicking goals for participation
While the traditional AFL season may have come to a close for another year, but there is still an avenue for football fanatics to indulge their passion and have some fun while doing it, it’s called AFL 9s. The official AFL alternative to the established game, marketed as ‘The Game for Everyone’, Cadbury AFL 9s is a hybrid version of the sport designed for a wide mix of non-traditional AFL playing demographics to get involved in the game. In Canberra, we have seen a rapid growth in the competition since its induction. In 2011, when AFL 9s was launched national, we saw an incredible 90% growth in recreational football from 2010, with 48 registered teams taking part. This year we have once again seen the competition expand, with 55 now taking place in the summer competitions. In contrast to the intense competiveness of senior AFL, 9s seeks to promote fun, enjoyment and safety in place of the ideals of commitment, courage and work ethic that define senior football. The new version of the game is primarily intended for community-oriented and social contexts, such as schools and casual sporting competitions and
is designed to fit in around the busy schedules of participants. The rules stipulate that two teams of nine players (plus interchange players) play each other on a field no longer than 100 metres long, but which can be modified dependant on player ability. The objective of the game is still to kick goals with an AFL football, though the field is divided into three sections of an attacking zone for each team and a midfield zone. Each side has three designated forwards; who are the only players allowed to score goals, three midfielders and three defenders. A mark is paid irrespective of the distance of a kick and any drop of the ball results in an automatic turnover. Currently there are competitions being held at Phillip (Ainsworth Street) for Men’s Social and Mixed Social categories on Tuesdays, Mixed Social and Masters categories are also at Phillip on Thursdays as well as North Canberra competitions for Mixed Social and
Men’s Social held on Wednesdays at Dickson Oval on Antill Street. AFL 9’s can be a great way to get fit, keep fit, make friends and have fun. So pop down and check out competitions in your local area if you are curious about the game, want a bit of casual competition or just feel like a kick of the footy and with more competitions starting in the near future it is a great way to get involved in the game Australia loves.
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tables can take home great prizes is always a winner. Christmas Party packages in the beautifully presented function rooms overlooking the track are available and include a 3 course Christmas themed luncheon, beverages and racebooks per person. For only $95 per person all inclusive, it’s an easy, worry free option and everything is done for you. You can sponsor a race for a very small investment and take advantage of the advertising benefits that sponsorship at Thoroughbred Park provides. Christmas season races are available for a bargain price of $500 + gst each and include an A5 racebook advertisement, signage on the day, a race name that is seen nationally and all the glory of seeing your name up in lights! Marquee packages are also available to groups and there is nothing better than being trackside as the winner passes the post in your own private marquee. Marquee packages are available from $160 per person and is the ultimate race day experience.
Race in for a great Book your 2012 Christmas Party Christmas Party at Thoroughbred Park. This silly season, why not consider one of Thoroughbred Park’s race days to celebrate your end of year staff party. For even the most discerning racegoer, Thoroughbred Park Summer race days are action packed with great
racing and delicious fare to keep you and your staff entertained for the afternoon. The race days feature up to 8 races which keep everyone busy and entertained and guest tipsters and a Punters Club competition where
Function packages are available for Friday 30th of November & Sunday 16th December.
Race days available throughout the party season are Friday 30 November and Sunday 16 December. Thoroughbred Park can also cater for non-race days with free parking and award winning caterers to take care of your every need. Theme your Christmas party as a race day with your own Fashions on the field competition, Thoroughbred Park’s friendly staff can assist to make your staff party a memorable one. Bookings are filling up quickly so make sure you don’t get pipped at the post. Contact the team at Thoroughbred Park on 6204 0000 to secure your day at the races.
Book early to avoid disappointment. Bigger than
Join us for the Thoroughbred Park annual luncheon to oroughbrdpark.com.au‘s or call 02 6204 0000 for more information. raise much needed funds for the Heart Foundation.
edpark.com.au
Race Day
Sunday 18 November 22
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3 course luncheon and beverages throughout the day www.facebook.com/thoroughbredpark 7 race meeting $110 per person Call 6204 0000 for bookings Issue #17 November 2012
Book your 2012 Christmas Party at Thoroughbred Park. Function packages are available for Friday 30th of November & Sunday 16th December. Book early to avoid disappointment. Visit Thoroughbrdpark.com.au or call 02 6204 0000 for more information. www.thoroughbredpark.com.au Issue #17 November 2012
www.facebook.com/thoroughbredpark playcanberra.com.au
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born in Sydney also captured a hat-trick last summer for the Southern Stars in a one-off Test match against England. Formerly with the WA Fury Farrell has captured over 50 international wickets with the best bowling of 7-55 against England. Kiwi international Pulford is also an experienced international campaigner having played 46 ODI’s and 12 T20’s for the New Zealand White Ferns. The 32 year old last made an international appearance in 2010 against Australia in New Zealand. A gifted all rounder Pulford was selected in the 2009 ICC Womens World Cup XI. A hard hitting top order batter Pulford’s highest score for the White Ferns is 95 and she has captured over 40 international wickets with the best bowling figures of 4-5.
International Recruits for Meteors
The Tradies Meteors have signed two former international stars for the upcoming 2012-13 season. The squad has been expanded to 18 members and will include former Australian Southern Stars fast bowler Rene Farrell and former New Zealand all rounder Kate Pulford. Left arm fast bowler Sian Ruck also returns for her second season with the Meteors having just returned from the ICC Womens World Cup with New Zealand in Sri Lanka. The team will be captained again by talented all rounder Kris Britt with wicket keeper Laura Wright and
former English international all rounder Lynsey Askew to be deputies. Other new faces to the Tradies Meteors squad include former NSW Breakers squad members Alison Parkin and Kate Waetford and former NSW U19 player Wu Kwan Wong. Fast bowler Farrell who has recently moved from Perth and has played 23 ODI’s and 23 T20’s for the Australian Southern Stars. The 25 year old who was
Fast bowler Ruck who is currently ranked in the top 10 for bowling in the women’s ICC Reliance Twenty20 Championship rankings will be looking to lead the Meteors fast bowling brigade following good form with the ball in Sri Lanka. A talented all round sportswoman Alison Parkin joins the Meteors squad having represented NSW at second XI cricket and AFL. Top order batter Waetford who made her debut for the NSW Breakers last season against SA Scorpions in Adelaide and has also represented the Australian under 18 team. Medical student Wu Kwan Wong joins the Meteors squad following impressive pre season form in trial matches against NSW scoring 51no and 17no. She is currently studying to become the second doctor in the Meteors squad. Top order batters Asha Smith and Sara Hungerford will be looking to capitalise on a strong off season following a season playing in England for Berkshire and Surrey in the women’s country cricket championships.
Michael Bevan vs Dean Jones at Crace Community Recreation Park ACT Sports Hall of Fame inductee Michael Bevan will take on former test cricketer Dean Jones at a community cricket match at Crace on Saturday 10 November. The event will mark the opening of the Crace Recreation Park by Federal Sports Minister Senator Kate Lundy. The 4.5 hectare multi-purpose sport and recreation facility combines structured and unstructured play and sports areas and will be the first of its kind in Canberra. Its main features include exercise stations as part of an outdoor gym, a multi-use court, playground, picnic and barbecue facilities, as well as an irrigated kickabout space of more than 8,000m2, formal lawns, gardens, native woodlands and a wetland. 24
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The park also includes a single cricket net, a multiuse goal area with low fencing for soccer and futsal players, separate spaces for older and more physical players and children and families.
Designed to attract a broad range of users and to promote physical and outdoor activities for the health and wellbeing of residents in the local region, Crace’s Recreation Park will set the benchmark for Canberra. When asked about the importance of such spaces in residential developments Michael believed “Having space and recreational facilities such as the Crace Recreation Park is a huge part of encouraging children and families to exercise, interact and play with friends and to lead a healthy outdoor lifestyle”. Crace residents and Canberrans are invited to participate in the celebrity cricket match to mark the park’s opening. There will also be a kid’s cricket clinic followed by a community barbeque.
Quick Details Crace Recreation Park opening 10:30am Saturday 10 November 11:00am celebrity cricket match commences Abena Avenue, Crace Issue #17 November 2012
Entertain in Style at the PM’s XI The PM’s XI is famous. But this year, be a part of history. Corporate hospitality options are now available and selling fast. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity. The game will be the first time the new lights at Manuka Oval have been switched on, making it the first day-night match ever played at the ground. Scheduled for January 29, the PM’s XI will take on newly crowned World Twenty20 champions, the West Indies. The atmosphere should be electric! A day at the cricket is a great way for organisations of all sizes to entertain clients and reward staff in a relaxed and social environment. It’s also a great event to be associated with. The PM’s XI offers a great format for corporate entertaining. Because the game doesn’t start until 2.20pm, guests don’t have to miss a day in the office, and it allows the event to become an evening one based around dinner, rather than lunch. It should be a fantastic atmosphere and a great night of cricket, making the PM’s XI the perfect event for entertaining.
“We have been a sponsor of ACT Cricket for 17 years. Each year we book a marquee for the PM’s XI and invite 50 guests. It’s a prestigious sporting event and provides a great networking platform for our business. It also allows us to give back to the local community, which supports us.” - Nanette Bak, ACT State Manager Konica Minolta Business Solutions Packages on offer The premier package is the Prime Minister’s Dinner. Distinguished guests will celebrate the match in style in the main function room of the Sir Donald Bradman Stand. Tables are for ten guests who receive afternoon tea on arrival, a two-course sit down dinner with dessert, and drinks throughout. There is a direct televised feed of the on-field action.
Function suites are also available and are a popular choice for organisations that want a private and relaxed space to entertain guests. A private room in the Sir Donald Bradman Stand can host 12 guests, while rooms in the Menzies and Hawke Rooms can hold up to 70. Alternatively, there are premium undercover corporate boxes, more informal catered seats that include a waiter service, as well as deluxe marquees. The Barlens ACT Cricket Marquee can hold up to 120 guests, while the more exclusive Cricket Cottage Marquee can accommodate 60. One lucky group can book into the Boardroom for an exclusive and private function, including afternoon tea, three-course meal package, beverages until end of play and a special guest speaker. All packages can be tailored to suit an organisation’s budget and special needs. To find out more about the corporate hospitality packages available, contact Maree at Earlybird Marketing & Events (02 6126 5900). For more information on Canberra’s ‘Summer of Cricket’, go to www.manukaoval.com.au Tickets are now on sale at Ticketek.
The Prime Minister’s XI is famous. But this year, it will create history! The cricket game will be the first time the new lights at Manuka Oval have been switched on, making it the first day-night match at the ground. The atmosphere will be electric. It’s going to be a big game as the Prime Minister’s XI takes on the West Indies and there are corporate hospitality packages to match. So whether you’re entertaining clients or rewarding staff, the Prime Minister’s XI offers a great format for corporate entertaining. In this season of cricketing firsts, don’t miss out! For more information go to: www.manukaoval.com.au
Issue #17 November 2012
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Womens cricket in the capital
With the success of the Southern Stars and the Summer of Cricket in Canberra a big season is predicted in Canberra. By Peta Guy. Spring is here and the cold of Winter has passed into the wonderful Spring that we have here in Canberra. Beautiful for five days and wet the next… So what happened during the time Deep Cover was in hibernation? Catching up on the end of last season first, we had probably the best season for ACT women’s cricket in the past decade. The Meteors had another great season finishing third behind powerhouses NSW and Victoria, with only a couple of injuries to key Meteors making the difference between the Final and not. Highlights included the continued development of Zoe Cooke, who has a couple more years at school but forced her way into the Meteors starting lineup via consistent performances in the Premier League. Unfortunately injuries and unavailability of a couple of the Meteors international players (National duties) and to captain Kris Britt had their impact. The off season was one where hard work and persistence resulted in significant sponsorship for the Meteors from the Tradies Group and the resulting increase in professionalism needed to compete with the well funded programs of NSW and Victoria.
New coach Andrew Dawson has the squad working hard and recruitment of players with international representative experience (see page 24) should give us the edge we need this season. At grade cricket level, the Glenda Hall competition was the most competitive it has been for at least 15 years, with Norths and Wests playing off in the Final to break a long sequence where Eastlake, Tuggeranong and ANU were the only clubs to extend their seasons into the premiership game. Participation in women’s cricket was the highest for over a decade and nearly 30 players making the transition from junior to senior cricket. This season
Coutts demonstrated her versatility at the highest level in swimming by securing five medals including gold in London. In doing so, she equalled Shane Gould and Ian Thorpe as the greatest Australian total medal winner at any single games. Cole was also a huge contributor to Australia’s Paralympic success with a staggering six medals winning gold in the 100m freestyle. Ellie backed this up with gold in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 400m freestyle and 50m freestyle as well as gold medals in the 4 x 100m freestyle relay and the 4 x100m medley relay. 26
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Over the season Deep Cover will keep you up to date with a summary of notable performances from the Meteors and grade cricket and continue profiling the Meteors player roster. Next issue we will do a profile of motherdaughter combinations playing in grade cricket. Looking forward to catching up with everyone on the field!
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE 5 MATES TO THE SPEEDBLITZ BLUES V XXXX GOLD QUEENSLAND BULLS RYOBI ONE DAY CUP MATCH? We’ve got 6 tickets* to give away to a lucky reader. All you have to do is head to the PLAY Facebook page (just search PLAY Canberra) and like - then keep an eye out for the post relating to the competition which will be posted at 12noon on Thursday the 8/11/12. *Reserved seats in the Bradman Stand on Sunday 2nd December.
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Six of Australia’s best athletes are finalists in the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) prestigious 2012 Athlete of the Year Award.
O’Hanlon played a big part in Australia’s strong showing at the Paralympic Games by taking out both the 100 and 200-metre sprints in world record times in London this year.
The success of the Southern Stars and the Summer of Cricket in Canberra this year should inspire new players to come along and share the experience of playing on some of the prettiest grounds in the country. Any players looking for a game or just wanting to try their hand at women’s cricket can find a club near them here: www.cricketact.com/female-cricket/womensgrade-cricket or “womens cricket ACT” in a search engine to see club sites, all of which have a women’s cricket page. Clubs are always looking for players at any level of experience and any age.
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A.I.S Athlete of the Year finalists named Anna Meares (Track Cycling), Alicia Coutts (Swimming), Evan O’Hanlon (Paralympic track and field), Ellie Cole (Paralympic Swimming), Tom Slingsby (Sailing) and Malcolm Page (Sailing) will all vie for the honour of being named athlete of the year at the AIS on 16 November.
we are hoping to see the same level of competition and growth in numbers.
Tom Slingsby and Malcolm Page were instrumental in Australia’s highly successful Olympic campaign in sailing that included three gold medals. Slingsby won gold at the London Olympics capping off an extremely successful year that also included winning two world championships. Page won back-to-back gold medals after his triumph in 2008 at the Beijing Games. His two gold medals place him as Australia’s most decorated Olympic sailor. Last year’s AIS Athlete of the Year Anna Meares again took the fight to her arch rival Victoria Pendleton winning two gold medals at the UCI World Championships before going on to win the Olympic gold medal in the women’s individual sprint and bronze in women’s team sprint teaming up with Kaarle McCulloch. AIS Director Matt Favier congratulated all the athletes, coaches and programs chosen as finalists for the 2012 AIS Awards. “In a year when we have seen Australia compete at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games there have been some exceptional performances from our AIS athletes,” Favier said.
“The six finalists for AIS Athlete of the Year can be justifiably proud of their achievements in 2012 and I wish them the best of luck when the winners are announced on the night.” Other awards to be announced on the night include Junior Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year and Program of the Year. The 2012 AIS Awards will be presented at the AIS in Canberra on Friday evening, 16 November. 2012 AIS Awards finalists Category Finalists Athlete of the Year Tom Slingsby (Sailing), Malcolm Page (Sailing), Evan O’Hanlon (Paralympic Track and Field), Ellie Cole (Paralympic Swimming), Anna Meares (Track Cycling), Alicia Coutts (Swimming). Junior Athlete of the Year Ellie Cole (Paralympic Swimming), Jessica Fox (Canoeing Slalom), Brittany Broben (Diving), Sam Willoughby (BMX). Coach of the Year Gary West (Track Cycling), Jimmy Owens (Canoeing - Sprint), Iryna Dvoskina (Athletics – Athletes with Disability), Australian Sailing Team Coaching Group, John Fowlie – (Swimming). Team of the Year Men’s K4 1000 Kayak, Mixed SKUD 18 – Fitzgibbon/Tesch, Men’s 49er Outteridge/Jensen, Men’s 470 Belcher/Page. Program of the Year Sailing, Canoe Slalom, BMX Cycling, Women’s Water Polo, Sprint Canoe. Issue #17 November 2012
at ease, audiences could see an even stronger Team Sky in 2013. Alberto Contador has already stated how he fears Froome the most out of all his other rivals, and with Froome’s strength in both the time trial and mountains he will be a challenger from the start. It is, however, the Spanish rider himself who will be the clear favourite come July, and with nearly a full season back of racing he will be hard to bet. It could be a case of a Froome VS Condator battle and everyone else trying to catch up.
Image: Getty
2013 Tour Route Reviled What does it mean for Cadel Evans? By Adam Phelan. For the centenary edition of the Tour de France, fans and riders alike expected one of the most interesting, picturesque and gruelling routes in the Tour’s history. They were right. At the 2013 Tour route unveiling, Evans, Wiggins, Contador and other Maillot Jaune hopefuls watched on and weighed up their chances of standing on the top step of the podium in Paris. The Tour’s 100th anniversary parcours is a beautiful mixture of first-time innovations as well as clear nods to the history of the race. It features an opening prologue in Corsica, four mountain top finishes, two individual time trials and sees the return of the team time trial. The riders will face the unprecedented challenge of racing up the infamous Alpe d’Huez twice (yes, twice!) in the same afternoon, and will once again come headto-head with Mont Ventoux. The iconic final circuit in Paris will be extended to include the Arc de Triomphe and will be raced at twilight for the first time (making for unbelievable footage no doubt). But what does this mean for Cadel Evans and the Australian’s shot at taking the yellow jersey for a second time? The mountains are going to make it a tough ask. With a critical battle likely on stage 15 up the slopes of the Mont Ventoux, the double Alpe d’Huez stage, a mountain timetrial, and three back-to-back Alpine stages in the last week, Evans will struggle to not lose time to the likes of Contador and Froome. However, the 35 year-old should be one of the better overall contenders during the time trials and could possibly gain time on some rivals. Although the course does suit an all rounder which could offer Cadel a better chance then last year, Evans is cautious to label himself a favourite this early, “I won’t say I am a favourite for the course yet – it’s still very early to say – but I would say it will be more of an all-round rider than 2012 but that’s not to say Sky can’t repeat again.” The route also favours his teammate and possible co-leader in TJ Van Garderen, who finished higher than Evans in the General Classification in this year’s edition. As the 2013 season builds up, it will be interesting to see Issue #17 November 2012
which rider – Evans or Van Garderen – will be shaping up as the leader of the BMC team come July; it is a dynamic that could be decisive in Evans’ chances for the overall. Van Garderen is young and ambitious, and with a taste of the overall in this year’s tour, he will have his eyes clearly set on the three-week race. Sky however, who put on a dominative performance this year, will not have the same Froome/Wiggins ‘conflict’, with Wiggins announcing he will focus on the Giro d’Italia and that he is happy to work for Froome. With tensions
Garmin–Sharp director, Jonathan Vaughters praised the course and told Cyclingnews that it favours the strengths of Contador, “It’s a good route, it’s beautiful. It’s very suited to Contador with the hilly time trial and the mountain top finishes are tough. It’s not as time trial heavy as 2012 but it’s suited to a strong climber who can time trial well and who has a strong team.” Vaughters own Grand Tour rider, Ryder Hesjedal, is focusing on defending the Giro d’Italia but will still be a factor in the Tour de France with American detailing how, “Hesjedal will be concentrating on the Giro defence first and foremost but he was fitter before the Tour than he was before the Giro.” This early, it is hard to predict who will win. Crashes, form and confidence will all come into play, and by the time the Tour comes around next year there could be two or three contenders already out of contention. In any case, the 100th edition of the Tour de France will be one to remember and is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and epic routes in Tour history. Get excited.
Cycling ACT Track Omnium and Para-Cycling Championships The urgent need for a new velodrome for the ACT was brought into sharp focus last weekend when Canberra’s track cyclists were forced to travel to Sydney’s Dunc Gray Velodrome to conduct their championships. Necessitated because of the poorly designed and constructed, brown snake infested and neglected Narrabundah velodrome which for 40 years has deterred all but the hardiest of cyclists, the Sydney event saw over 100 riders including four Athletes With Disabilities participating. All ages divisions, from under 11 years to Masters 8 (65 to 69 years) were contested, creating a warm, friendly family event. Able-bodied riders contested a six-event Omnium, a point-scoring event which provides opportunities for both sprint and endurance cyclists. In a unique first for ACT, our Para-cyclists contested three of the six events, featuring two tandems for our vision-impaired riders. Sue Powell, our Paralympics gold and silver medallist, rode the full program and added another gold medal to her collection. The experienced tandem pair of Brandie O’Connor (stoker) and Kerry Knowler (pilot) demonstrated awesome strength and endurance throughout, while the novice pair on the men’s tandem, Paul Kennedy (stoker) and Jim Veal (pilot), were ecstatic after their exhilarating first-time efforts. First up on Saturday was an opportunity for the speedsters with the Flying Lap. After two and a half laps of progressive building speed, the rider drops from the top of the banking to complete the final 250 metres at maximum speed. This event is an absolute adrenalin rush as riders fight to hold to bottom of the track through the tight banking.
Tactics and bike skills came to the fore in the next two events, the Elimination and Scratch races, where position, planning and the ability to capitalise on lucky breaks give opportunities for both sprint and endurance athletes. Our ACTAS riders showed their abilities in these events, with Michael Rice showing his class in the Under 19 men’s division. Sunday’s racing kicked off with the Individual Pursuit, an event run over two to four kilometres, depending on category and a true test of strength and stamina. In the Under 17 Women’s event, Amelia Crane reinforced her National ranking with a very impressive and dominating performance. The Points Race features sprints at regular intervals a tests a rider’s ability to recover quickly. A tally of accumulated sprint points determines the eventual winner. This is another adrenalin-charged event as riders battle the agony of lactic acid build-up in muscles as they try to gain tactical advantage. The Time Trial or ‘Race of Truth’ completed the program testing very tired legs to a final burst of intense power. Bailey Marshall, riding in the Under 15 category, signalled his great potential with a time faster than many of the Masters riders. ACT track cyclists have won at least eight World Championship Rainbow Jerseys in the last six years despite the substandard local conditions. It’s time the new velodrome moved up the sporting priority list. playcanberra.com.au
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Issue #17 November 2012
Sonnen gets his shot at jones Joshua Mercer
Former #1 contender for the UFC Middleweight title Chael Sonnen will meet Light-Heavyweight champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones on the 27th of April but before the pair meet, they will be coaches on season 17 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’. Sonnen has been angling for a fight with Jones since the champ turned him down at UFC 151, calling him out on twitter and UFC programming. Originally slated to face Dan Henderson, Jones was left without an opponent when just eight days out from Henderson pulled out due to a knee injury. Sonnen stepped up to save the card but when told of his new opponent Jones decided to turn the fight down on the advice of his coach Greg Jackson. With no big name fighters to carry the card this left UFC President Dana White with unenviable task of cancelling the entire card, something he has never had to do before. While Jones was the bad guy when news of the card cancellation happened, it seems now a month and a half later that the roles have changed. Two people in particular that are not happy about the match are Jones‘ UFC 151 opponent Dan Henderson and Forrest Griffin, who was meant to face Sonnen at UFC 155. Henderson voiced his displeasure via twitter saying “I guess I should just quit training to win fights and be
Issue #17 November 2012
While I’m sure that a lot of people have scratched their heads at this match, the announcement seems to be a business decision more than anything. The last two seasons of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ have not performed well at all since it moved to Friday nights on the FX network (part of the Fox network) in the US, the latest season scoring a low of 624,000 viewers. Sonnen has the charisma to help the show improve on its dismal rating and I believe he will be an excellent coach and I look forward to the banter between him and Jones. Image: Getty
“I’m not mad at him, why fight your way to the top when you can talk your way to the top” - Forrest Griffin exciting for the fans and just go to s&#! talking school. @danawhite”. Forrest made his frustrations known while being interviewed on TV program UFC Tonight when he said “I’m not mad at him, why fight your way to the top when you can talk your way to the top”.
Jones has opened up as favourite for the bout and deservedly so. The man is freakishly talented and uses his long reach (84.5 inches, longest in the UFC) exceptionally well. His striking is unorthodox and hard to defend he will also have a considerable weight advantage. Sonnen works to his strengths which is his wrestling. When the fight starts he wastes no time taking the fight to the mat where he uses some heavy ground and pound and he always comes to fight. Though it’s been a long time since he fought at Light-Heavyweight I think that Sonnen will surprise and has the added bonus of not going through a weight cut which will also help. Whether you agree with the decision or not one thing is for sure, season 17 of ‘The Ultimate Fighter” will be an entertaining one.
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crossword Number 12 2
3 7
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3 Olympic country of 1992 (5)
7 Portuguese team which won the UEFA Champions League under Jose Mourinho in 2004 (5) 9 Cyclist garb (5)
8 Runner-up to Djokovic in an epic 2012 Australian Open tennis final (6,5)
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4 Golf tournament featuring both professionals and amateurs (3-2)
6 See 24 Across
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2 and 15 Across Captain of the Waratahs in 2012 (5,5)
5 See 1 Across 10
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1 and 5 Down English bowler who played in the 1981 Headingley Test (5,3)
4 World’s largest race car maker (7)
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Across
1 Internal diameter of a gun barrel in relation to the diameter of the projectile (7)
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10 Competitive cattle sport (5) 11 Tennis twins Bob and Mike (5)
14 National songs (7)
12 Simon Fairweather’s sport (7)
16 Rub-down (7)
13 Sundry (5)
17 Swimming stroke (5)
15 See 2 Down
18 Matt ___, Johannesburg-born England wicketkeeper (5)
17 National soccer team managed by Slaven Bilic (7)
19 Golf cup played between Europe and the USA (5)
18 Where the Tour de France ends (5)
21 Pull along behind (3)
22 Cricket side which lost to England and Australia 4-0 in recent away series (5)
P L M A R E N A S O R B R T U N I S I A A H R I S C C O R K K D T E C H I L C I O S N L I O N S A T A I C A S A L S T E E
B M O O M E O R S E I E V O F R Y
J N A S O O N E F B I N I L A A N D
R C O G S E R F K E D L E R C E R
20 Retired NZ cricketer Nathan ___ (5)
23 Only Swedish soccer team to have played a European Cup final (5) Crossword #11 solutions
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Down
24 and 6 Down England rugby captain during the 2011 World Cup (5,5) 25 Australian racehorse with a Zulu-influenced name, ___’s Drift(5) “I’d rather be honest than modest” -Chael Sonnen
Issue #17 November 2012
Club Stadium is an exclusive social club lounge for business and pleasure. Situated at the Northern End of the Gregan-Larkham Stand, Club Stadium offers excellent service in a comfortable and relaxed private lounge with a maximum capacity of 150 members.
Club Select is a private, superior and all-inclusive event experience. Located at the Northern End of the Meninga Stand with an capacity of only 40 people. Club Select membership benefits include: ♦
Entry into the exclusive lounge for all scheduled Canberra Raiders and Brumbies home matches; VIP Parking; Complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee; Premium catering service including buffet or sit down dinners, and half-time food; Guest speakers and lucky door prizes at selected matches; Branded balcony seating; Match day programs; Season corporate gift.
Club Stadium membership benefits include: ♦ Entry into the lounge for all scheduled Canberra Raiders and Brumbies home matches; ♦ VIP parking; ♦ Buffet meal on arrival and half-time snacks; ♦ Happy hour bar prices prior to the main game kick off; ♦ Branded balcony seating; ♦ Match day programs; ♦ Season corporate gift.
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From $3,140 per person (incl. GST)
From $4,802 per person (incl. GST)
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
For more information please contact Joanest To on (02) 6256 6711 or email j.to@canberrastadium.com
www.canberrastadium.com.au
Issue #17 November 2012
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For more information please contact Joanest To on
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Issue #17 November 2012