Harley Bateup & Ryan Taylor. Photo Credit: Event Photographer.

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The Whitsunday Brahmans welcomed the Moranbah Miners to Les Stagg Oval on Saturday as the club celebrated its annual Sponsors Day, recognising and thanking the businesses, volunteers and supporters whose ongoing commitment keeps the small country club thriving.

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The day kicked off with the Brahmans women taking on the ladder-leading Miners. Missing a number of key players, Moranbah gave the home side an opportunity to test themselves against one of the competition's benchmark teams. Isabella Debrincat and Emily Croft both crossed for tries as the Brahmans matched it with their experienced opponents for much of the contest. Despite a spirited performance, the women went down narrowly 18-8 in an encouraging display.

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The Under 20s followed and started with plenty of energy. Once again, the Tetley brothers showed plenty of heart, each crossing for a try, while Roy Murtagh added the Brahmans' third. The young Brahmans took the fight to the visitors early before Moranbah's class came to the fore in the second half, with the Miners running away 34-12 winners.

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Reserve Grade produced one of the performances of the day in a thrilling encounter. Flying winger Trent Pikinga bagged a double, while local product Sean Klassen also crossed twice. Ryan Taylor, Kieran Anderson, Robert Congoo and Josh Sturma each added four-pointers to complete an impressive attacking display. Taylor was equally influential with the boot, landing five conversions from eight attempts despite the challenging winds, as the Brahmans powered to a convincing 42-18 victory.

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A Grade closed out the afternoon in a high-stakes clash, with both sides knowing the importance of the result as the finals race intensifies. Having defeated the Miners on their home turf earlier this season, the Brahmans knew a fired-up Moranbah outfit would arrive looking for revenge.

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T.J. Tabusakia, Isaac Austin and Max Andrews all crossed for the home side, while fullback Adam Butterill once again showcased his reliability with the boot, converting all three tries despite the strong winds sweeping across Les Stagg Oval. After a physical and hard-fought contest, Moranbah proved too strong, claiming a 32-18 victory.

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With the competition taking a well-earned bye this weekend, all four Brahmans sides will now turn their attention to a tough road trip to Mackay. The club heads to Shark Park on Saturday, 1 August, with the first match kicking off from 10:00am as the Brahmans look to bounce back and continue their push towards the finals.

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Lyas and Pete, the 2 winners on the day. Photo supplied: Lorraine Ireland.

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The Abell Point Yacht Club's annual Round the Molles Yacht Race on Sunday, 12 July, proved that sometimes the biggest challenge in yacht racing isn't your competitors—it's finding enough wind to move.  

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Eleven yachts carrying 70 crew gathered on the start line under clear blue skies.  With very light winds forecast for the day, race organisers made the sensible decision before the start to shorten the course to Daydream Island, knowing the fleet was unlikely to complete the full course before beer-o'clock.  

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It didn't take long for Smooth Criminal to discover what seemed to be the only patch of wind in the Whitsundays, opening an early lead while the rest of the fleet spent the day trying to coax their yachts into motion.  Before long, brightly coloured spinnakers began appearing throughout the fleet, although there was barely enough breeze to keep them inflated.  

For many competitors, it felt like déjà vu, with memories of the Warri Cup's first attempt back in May when the wind was equally reluctant to make an appearance.  There was plenty of laughter, good company and a shared appreciation that you just can’t order the weather.  

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After more than five hours of what could generously be described as racing, Smooth Criminal rounded Daydream Island with Awesome not far behind followed by Dragonfly and Riff Raff.  By this stage, the remaining yachts had wisely decided to retire, realising they were unlikely to make it around Daydream Island before breakfast the following morning.  

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At one stage it looked as though G'Nome and Smooth Criminal were having an unofficial competition to see who could sail backwards the fastest, while Incognito was last spotted appearing to drift in the general direction of Hayman Island.  

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Although Smooth Criminal was first across the finish line, on corrected time it was Awesome that claimed the overall victory of the day.  

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The Abell Point Yacht Club extends a sincere thank you to the Whitsunday Sailing Club for its continued support and assistance in making events such as the Round the Molles Yacht Race possible.  

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Contributed with thanks to Lorraine Ireland.

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Jeff Reidel with Federal member of Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP. Photo sourced: Andrew Willcox Facebook.

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Bowen-born sports administrator Jeff Reibel has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Rugby League, marking another major milestone in a career spanning more than two decades.  

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Reibel will begin the role in November, succeeding Ben Ikin, after spending seven years as Chief Executive Officer of the North Queensland Cowboys. He looks to carry that success through to the QRL, looking to build on an already strong foundation.  

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“It's an incredible honour to join the Queensland Rugby League and contribute to an organisation that plays such an important role in the fabric of our state,” Jeff said.

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“Rugby league in Queensland has a proud history and a vibrant future, and I’m excited to work alongside our clubs, participants, volunteers, partners and communities to help strengthen the game at every level.”

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Born and raised in Bowen, Reibel studied at James Cook University, completing a Master of Business Administration before launching his rugby league career as Team Manager of the Cowboys' under-17 side in 1997.

He worked his way through the football ranks, starting by driving the team bus, washing jerseys and doing whatever was needed as manager of the Cowboys' under-17 side.  

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After progressing through several football operations roles, he moved into the commercial side of the game with stints at the Gold Coast Titans and Stone Brothers Racing before returning to the Cowboys in 2015. Four years later, he was appointed the club's chief executive officer.

During his most recent tenure, Reibel helped oversee some of the club's biggest milestones, including the move to Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the development of new high-performance facilities, the launch of the Cowboys' NRLW team and guiding the organisation through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

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He also played a key role in strengthening the club's commercial position, with the Cowboys emerging as one of the NRL's strongest off-field organisations.

“Jeff is an outstanding leader with a proven track record of success in rugby league, and we are delighted to welcome him to the Queensland Rugby League," said QRL Chair Brian Canavan.  

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“His experience leading one of the NRL's premier clubs, combined with his deep understanding of the game and strong commitment to community outcomes, makes him exceptionally well placed to guide the QRL into its next phase of growth."

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“Rugby league in Queensland is in an incredibly strong position, and we are confident Jeff's leadership, strategic vision and passion for the game will help us continue to build on that momentum for the benefit of our clubs, participants, volunteers and fans across the state.”

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Photo source: Mackay Athletics Club  

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A small contingent of Mackay Athletics Club (MAC) athletes travelled to the CH Track & Field Carnival at Emerald Athletics Club over the weekend, enjoying a warm and sunny day of competition.

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The team delivered a strong performance across the event, with several athletes achieving personal bests and record-breaking results.

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Ruby claimed third place in the high jump, while Lily recorded three personal bests throughout the day. Matilda broke two carnival records and also achieved a personal best in the 800m.

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Bronte had an outstanding carnival with five personal bests, finishing second in the high jump and third in the 800m. Amberley also added three personal bests to her results.

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Cathryn and Kevin both impressed, each breaking four carnival records during their events.

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Adding to the team’s contribution, Kym took charge in the discus cage as chief official while also managing to fit in a couple of throws of their own.

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The MAC athletes enjoyed a successful day of competition, showcasing the dedication and talent within the club.

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Photo source: North Mackay Sinkers - Masters Swimming Club

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Mackay Sinkers swimmers have returned with impressive results from the National Open Water Championships, claiming two gold medals and two bronze medals across the competition.

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In the 1.5km event, Nigel Dalton claimed gold in the 60–64 age group with a time of 27:42.38, while Geoffrey Robinson also secured gold in the 85–89 age group, finishing in 49:36.28.

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The club also celebrated success in the 3km event, with Daniel Stampa earning bronze in the 65–69 age group in 58:25.52, and Pierre Craven taking bronze in the 55–59 age group with a time of 51:27.11.

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The club congratulated Nigel, Geoff, Dan and Pierre on their outstanding performances.

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Back on home shores, members also enjoyed a Social Saturday swim, with a post-session warm-up featuring homemade turmeric pumpkin soup. The club thanked Annamaree and Alison F for preparing the soup, which was served after Jim's backboard set as the perfect winter recovery meal.

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Christine Fitzpatrick pictured. Photo supplied

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Christine Fitzpatrick began her Bridge journey only three years ago. Christine understands how daunting, although fun, learning and progressing in the Bridge World can be. Christine has impemented a day of play once a month for players with less than 5 master points. This day givesinexperienced players an opportunity to reinforce what they have learnt in lessons, exclusively at their own level. President Frances supported Christine’s idea and Robert Carless has kindly volunteered to assist. The first day of the program saw sixteen players attend with President Frances supporting in Christine’s absence.

Monday 6 July 2026 – 7 Table Mitchell Green Points NWP

N/S

E/W

1^st

Janine Rodgers / Jewel Schmidt

1^st

Noel Bugeia / Terry Sheedy

2^nd

Ming Ting / David Ting

2^nd

Gwen Liddell / Griffin Bancroft

3^rd

Edward Kliese / Diane Stokes

3^rd

Joy Hold / Rodney Miles

Tuesday Evening 7 July 2026 – 4 Table One Winner Green Points  

1^st

Mick King / John McGee

2^nd

Geoff Taylor / Janelle Conroy

3^rd

Martin Pearce / Glen Cocup

4^th

Terry Sheedy / Helen Van Den Breok

Wednesday 08 July 2026 – 9 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1^st

Frances Brown / Alan Brown

1^st

Diane Holewa / Max Holewa

2^nd

Janelle Conroy / Noel Bugeia

2^nd

Terry Sheedy / Lorna Shuttlewood

3^rd

Monica Darley / Kath Poole

3^rd

Sandy Patterson / Geoff Patterson

4^th

Sandra Morris / Jan Harris

4^th

David Ting / Ming Ting

Thursday Evening 09 July 2026 –- 3 Table One Winner Green Points

1^st

Jan Harris / Anne Lutz

2^nd

Mick King / Griffin Bancroft

3^rd

Terry Sheedy / Noel Bugeia

4^th

Janine Rodgers / Janelle Conroy

Friday 10 July 2026 –- 7 Table Rover Switch One Winner Green Points

1^st

Max Holewa / Diane Holewa

2^nd

Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

3^rd

Mick King / Joy Block

4^th

Griffin Bancroft / Diane Stokes

5^th

Jewel Schmidt / Annete Howe

6^th

Pamela Finger / Janelle Conroy

Saturday 11 July 2026 –- 11 Table Mitchell Green Points

N/S

E/W

1^st

Mary Rose Ramsden / Chris Nice

1^st

Mick King / John McGee

2^nd

Alan Brown / Frances Brown

2^nd

Griffin Bancroft / Jan Harris

3^rd

Susan Wright / Lorna Shuttlewood

3^rd

Martin Pearce / Patricia Garner

4^th

Sandy Patterson / Joy Hold

4^th

Janelle Conroy / Robert Carless

5^th

Ann Whitmore / Sandra Morris

5^th

Sue Ross / Sue Mayer-Miller

Sunday 12 July 2026 – Novice (Beginners) under 5 points. 4 Table One Winner Green Points

1^st

Jennifer Cameron / Glen Cocup

2^nd

Colleen Riddel / Pam Cassidy

3^rd

John Hunt / Patricia Wong

4^th

Mary-Jane Marsh / Louise Renton

Contributed by Joy Block

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Approximately 30 runners vying for the coveted Garmin Forerunner 265S sports watch.

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Mackay Road Runners thanked TriActiV8's Nikki Giles for once again sponsoring the Bonson's Scrub Road 6km and 12km runs at The Leap.

Runners were treated to spectacular scenic vistas, although low cloud and fog created an eerie start to the challenging event. Around 30 competitors took part, all hoping to win a Garmin Forerunner 265S sports watch donated by Nikki.

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To be eligible for the prize, participants had to nominate their finishing time before the event and run without using their timing device, or with their watch screen taped over so it wasn't visible.

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Natasha Joynson was the delighted winner, estimating her finishing time to within just four seconds. Her husband, Craig Joynson, finished a close second in the competition, missing his predicted time by six seconds, while Lily Leven claimed a very respectable third place, finishing 16 seconds from her nominated time.

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The club's next event, Jo's 61 Steps Social 5km and 10km, will be held on Sunday, commencing at 7am from the Gordon White Library car park. Members and non-members are welcome, with a $2 race-day fee applying to all competitors. Participants are asked to arrive by 6.50am for the course briefing and club notices.

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Jim Ford's weekly track training sessions continue every Wednesday from 5.30pm at the ARC (Aquatic & Recreational Complex). The free one-hour sessions cater for all ages and abilities, with a $5 facility entry fee payable at the pool kiosk.

The M-Test Open King and Queen of the Mountain 6.4km and the Podiatry Mackay/Laura Pettifer Inspirational Junior King and Queen of the Mountain 3km foot races will be held on Sunday, July 26, from Netherdale to the Eungella Chalet, starting at 7am. Competitors must register online via the Mackay Road Runners website, with further information to be released closer to the event.

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The Torque Tyres and Trailers King and Queen of the Mountain 6.4km cycle race will also be held in conjunction with the event. Registration details are available through the Mackay Cycle Club by contacting Kiah on 0429 820 020.

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Contributed by Janelle Tilse

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Mackay and District BMX Club - Representing Australia in the Green and Gold Race Jerseys. (Absent – Tristyn Kronk, Jaxon Philp and Jack Hancroft.) Photos supplied

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Twenty-three riders from the Mackay and District BMX Club are preparing to take on the world's best after qualifying to represent Australia at the 2026 UCI BMX Racing World Championships in Brisbane.

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The prestigious event will be held at the Sleeman BMX Track from July 17 to 25, bringing together the fastest BMX racers from around the globe as they compete for the coveted rainbow jersey.

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For the Mackay club, having 23 riders selected to wear the green and gold on home soil is a remarkable achievement and reflects the dedication, determination and countless hours of training invested throughout the season.

A spokesperson for Mackay and District BMX Club said the selection was a proud moment for the entire club.

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"To have 23 Mackay and District BMX Club riders earn the opportunity to wear the green and gold on home soil is an outstanding achievement and a testament to their hard work, dedication and commitment through the season," the spokesperson said.

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"We couldn't be prouder of our Australian representatives and wish each rider the very best as they take on the world's best in Brisbane. Congratulations to our incredible team – your Mackay BMX family is behind you every step of the way."

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Supporters can follow the action live throughout the championships via SBS On Demand, as the Mackay community rallies behind its local riders on the world stage.

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23 Mackay Riders out of the following will represent Australia:  

• Tristyn Kronk — Masters Men

• Ashton Wallin — 10 Boys 20"

• Chloe Knight — 11 Girls 20"

• Adelyn Eatwell — 12 Girls 20"

• Lilly Bolger — 12 Girls 20"

• Ruby Soke — 13 Girls 20"

• Liam Wilson — 13 Boys 20"

• Max Ransome — 14 Boys 20"

• Sarah Keidge — 14 Girls 20"

• Paige Knights — 14 Girls 20"

• Dylan Secher — 15 Boys 20"

• Willow Pogmore — 15 Girls 20"

• Chelsea Evans — 16 Girls 20"

• Jack Hancroft — U12 Boys Cruiser

• Adelyn Eatwell — U12 Girls Cruiser

• Max Ransome — 13–14 Boys Cruiser

• Liam Wilson — 13–14 Boys Cruiser

• Paige Knights — 13–14 Girls Cruiser

• Sarah Keidge — 13–14 Girls Cruiser

• Ruby Soke — 13–14 Girls Cruiser

• Dylan Secher — 15–16 Boys Cruiser

• Connor Parish — 17–24 Men Cruiser

• Brodie Wilson — 17–24 Men Cruiser

• Jaxon Philp — 17–24 Men Cruiser

• Louis Cauchi — 17–24 Men Cruiser

• Brendan Knights — 40–44 Men Cruiser

• Sherridan Pogmore — 40–44 Women Cruiser

• Connor Parish — 17–24 Men 20"

• Ashton Johns — 25–29 Men 20"

• Cooper Comerford — 25–29 Men 20"

• Michael Wallin — 35+ Men 20"

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Sunday's Winners are Gavin Charles, Levina Davies and Ron Symmons absent Skin Querro. Photo supplied: Allan Wolfe.  

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With another great week of bowls in paradise, the wind caused havoc out on the green. It certainly keeps concentration levels up.  

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On Monday, self-selected triple winners were B. Thompson, J. Hallas, and R. Symmons, defeating M. Drummond, G. Read, and A. Rolfe. Runners-up were Gus Murry, D. Madeley, and R. Agg, who defeated E. Dunn, S. Smith, and D. Gorin. The jackpot didn’t go off.  

On Tuesday, Margaret Harvey, John Harding, Jeannie Detry, and Alan Detry defeated Denis Bright, Maureen Grogan, Les Jackson, and Ron Hyde. Runners-up went to Carol Bellingham, Skin Querro, and Patrick Cochrane, who defeated Greg McSwain, Alex Beaumont, and Robyn Crawford. The jackpot didn’t go off.  

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Fun Thursday winners were John Fusket, Gail Mallon, and Shirly Smith, who defeated Geoff Davis, Owen Swanton, and Brian Bellingham. Runners-up were Graham Smith, Rod Bk and Gary Crawford, who defeated Trevor Hawker, Viv Boskma, and Levina Davis, who also won the jackpot.  

Resting touches went to Franz Willman, Jill Gillies, Viv Ritchie, and Trevor Hawker.  

On Sunday afternoon our winners came out on Rink 5, and they were Skin Querro, Levina Davies, Gavin Charles, and Ron Symmons, who defeated Alby Vigar, Jocelyn Defranciscis, Jack Stamp, and Allan Gillies.  

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Runners-up were Greg Edwards, Col Parker, and Patrick Cochrane. The jackpot didn’t go off.  

Contributed with thanks to Allan Wolfe.  

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A very competitive weekend on horses in Bowen. Photo supplied: Jesse Foster.  

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Bowen Polocrosse Club welcomed players, horses and supporters from across the region for its annual carnival on July 11 and 12, with plenty of great competition and strong results for the home club.

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Bowen fielded three senior teams, as well as a strong group of junior and sub-junior players, highlighting the club's growing depth across all age groups.

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Bowen 1 finished runners-up in B Grade, while Bowen 2 claimed the C Grade runners-up title. Wandoan won the A Grade competition, defeating Pyramid in the final, while Nebo took out B Grade and Alton Downs claimed the C Grade title.

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Several Bowen players were recognised with individual honours. Farren Hamilton was named Best No. 3 in C Grade and also received the Best Horse award, while Adam Burns was awarded Best No. 2 in B Grade.

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The club's junior riders also enjoyed a successful weekend. Oliver Foster received the Best Presented and Well-Mannered award, with his horse Fatty named Best Junior Horse. Mason Russell and Felicity Alley were named Best Junior Male and Female, while Loki White and Indie Russell took home the encouragement awards.

The carnival celebrated even the retired racehorses through the Off The Track awards. Dave Kerr's mount was named Best Overall OTT Horse, while Bryan Wells and Shannon Burns were recognised as the leading male and female OTT competitors.  

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Among the senior awards, Ellissa Hunter was named Best Bowen Player, Storme Gould received the Most Outstanding Horse of the Carnival award, and Angela Kettle was recognised for her sportsmanship.

The club thanked all players, volunteers, sponsors and supporters who helped make another successful carnival possible.

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U14 Netball Team wearing their game faces. Photo sourced: Whitsundays Netball Association.

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Whitsunday Netball Association's U14 representative team capped off a successful campaign at the 2026 Junior State Age on the Gold Coast, finishing seventh in their division after four days of high-quality competition.

Junior State Age is Queensland's largest participation netball event, with 252 teams from 58 associations competing across the four-day carnival. More than 2,300 matches were played, bringing together the state's best emerging junior netballers.

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Whitsunday took to the court for 20 matches, recording 13 wins to comfortably achieve the team's goal of a top-10 finish. The side also claimed victories over two teams that went on to finish inside the top five, highlighting the team's ability to match it with some of the state's strongest opposition.

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“It was a great team effort,” said team coach Ellie Palmero.  

“The girls have started their pre-season training at the start of January, so they've been working towards this big carnival for a long time.  

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“From center court to defenders to our shooting accuracy, they were incredible, which was awesome.”

The players consistently demonstrated resilience, camaraderie and sportsmanship throughout the tournament, responding well to the intensity of State Age competition while proudly representing the Whitsunday region.  

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Beyond the competition, the carnival gave the girls the chance to build friendships with players from other associations, experiencing the supportive atmosphere of netball.  

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“It's really awesome to see so many of the junior players supporting each other on and off the court, which was a lot of fun,” Ellie said.  

Whitsunday was well supported throughout the event, with more than 20 family members and supporters creating a strong sideline presence to cheer on the team across all four days.

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“We had a lot of support from the community with sponsors and everyone,” Ellie said.  

“That helped us get down there too, which is always greatly appreciated.”  

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Travelling with the team was association umpire Kendra Shields, whose performances on court received positive feedback from officials and participating teams.

The seventh-place finish was a fitting reward for the commitment shown by the players, officials and supporters throughout the representative season, with the players returning home having gained valuable experience against some of Queensland's strongest opposition.

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While State Age may be over, the season is far from finished. The squad will continue travelling to Mackay each week for competition, with several more carnivals on the calendar before their representative campaign wraps up in late August.  

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U23’s versus the Dolphins in Dolphin Park. Photo supplied: Joscelyn O’Keefe.  

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While results were mixed across the club, Whitsunday United's Division 1 Men, Premier Men and U23 Men delivered emphatic victories

The Division 2 Men battled hard against City Brothers in a tightly contested encounter, with few clear chances at either end. The home side broke the deadlock midway through the first half and defended resolutely to maintain their advantage. United pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser after the break but were caught on the counter late in the match, conceding a second goal to go down 2-0.

Division 1 continued its strong season with a convincing 4-0 win over a much-improved City Brothers outfit. Darren Reynolds opened the scoring following a slick team move before Sam Reynolds and James McEvoy-Bowe struck from rapid counter attacks to establish a 3-0 half-time lead. Kristian Mulholland added the fourth after the break, while a disciplined defensive performance secured another clean sheet.

The Premier Women endured another challenging outing as injuries continued to test the squad. Mackay Rangers scored twice early before Whitsunday settled into the contest. Lahni Henderson impressed after stepping into goal for the first time, producing several excellent saves, while Deb Savy and Hayley Ast worked tirelessly in midfield. Despite the determined effort, Rangers claimed a 7-0 victory.

Whitsunday's Premier Men and U23 teams also enjoyed a dominant weekend against Dolphins FC. The Under 23s cruised to a 9-0 victory, led by four goals from league-leading scorer Aaron Kinsella, while Reece Matthews, Karim Bouhafa, Chris Tankosic and Arman Sabzgolin also found the net. The Premier Men’s side matched the result with a 9-2 win, with five goals from Ethan Rose, a hat-trick from Alan O'Donnell and one from Mikey Nash. Both teams now prepare for a tough away trip against an in-form Mackay Lions.

Contributed with thanks to Joscelyn O’keefe.

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After a wet start to the week, the sunshine finally returned to Proserpine Golf Club, with improving conditions giving members plenty to smile about across another week of competition.

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Tuesday's August Monthly Medal saw visiting golfer Anthony De Angelis from Howlong Golf Club posting the day's best score of 70 nett, showing off the competition's ability to attract talent. Gary Scotford claimed the men's event with 71 nett on countback from Ken Granger, while Allen Roberts finished third. In the ladies' competition, Paula McQuat continued her good form to win with 76 nett ahead of Robyn Whitham.

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The club's veterans were also in action on Tuesday, with McQuat completing a double after again finishing on top of the ladies' field. Jenny Hounsell was runner-up, followed by Whitham, while Scotford backed up his earlier result to win the men's competition from Granger and Roberts.

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Wednesday's ladies' competition was washed out by the weather, although a handful of members still took the opportunity to enjoy a social round.

Play resumed on Thursday with a Stableford round, where Lewy Tuck's 37 points earned him A Grade honours by a single point over Jason Bourke. Bailey Hayward produced one of the week's best performances, finishing with 40 points to comfortably win B Grade ahead of Luke Swift.

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Friday's Metropole Hotel-sponsored nine-hole competition was decided on countback, with Brent Franke edging Wil Bernett after both finished on 20 points. Jett Borghero rounded out the placings.

A strong field returned on Saturday for the Airlie Beach Hotel Stableford. Conrad Werner claimed A Grade with 37 points, just ahead of Tony Goss, while Russell Lakey topped B Grade on 38 points from William Brownlie. Elspeth Scotford took out the ladies' event on countback after finishing level on 34 points with Lyn Muller.

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Hayward capped off an impressive week by taking out Sunday's mixed Stableford with 39 points, adding a second victory to his name. Jett Borghero finished runner-up on 38 points, while Loretta Puttick completed the podium with 37.

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With the weather finally settling into its typical July pattern, members will be hoping the good conditions continue, with some more busy weeks ahead.  

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Contributed with thanks to Tiina Randmae.

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Coach Kenny coaching the development squad. Photo supplied: Raylene Rasmussen

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The Cannonvale Cannons Swimming Club is gearing up for an exciting new season, with a fresh committee led by new President Jade Korosec already hard at work planning a calendar full of activities for swimmers and their families.  

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Building on the club's strong community spirit, the committee is looking forward to another season of competition, development, and plenty of opportunities for members of all ages to get involved, both in and out of the pool.  

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While excitement has been building, there was disappointment across the club after the Swimming North Queensland Short Course Transition Meet, scheduled for last weekend at the Cannonvale Swim Centre, was cancelled. As the Cannons' home carnival, it was set to welcome clubs from across the region and provide local swimmers with an important opportunity to test themselves early in the season.  

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For several Cannons swimmers, the meet also represented a chance to achieve qualifying times for the Queensland Short Course Championships in August. Although the cancellation was disappointing, the squad remains focused on training and will now look towards upcoming carnivals to chase those qualifying performances.  

Coach Ken Crittenden said he has been delighted to see swimmers maintaining their fitness throughout the school holidays despite the cooler winter weather and the challenges of training while construction of the toilet block roof is underway at the pool.  

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Their commitment and enthusiasm have been a positive sign as the club prepares for another successful season.  

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The club would also like to wish Cannonvale Masters Swimming Club members Ken Crittenden, Robin Arndale, Joanne Ladd and Mark Erickson every success as they travel to Townsville to compete at the Queensland Masters Swimming Championships.  

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The Cannonvale Cannons wish all competitors the very best and look forward to another exciting season in the pool.  

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Brahmans Women’s team. Photo supplied: Mandy Bateup.

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Les Stagg Oval was awash with pink on Saturday as the Whitsunday Brahmans hosted a spectacular Ladies Day, with picket fences, florals and a sold-out VIP section creating the perfect backdrop for one of the club's biggest events of the season.

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More than 105 passionate Brahmans women filled the exclusive VIP area, proudly supporting the club as all three men's sides took on the Wests Tigers in front of a fantastic home crowd.

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The Under 20s opened proceedings with a determined performance, taking the field with a new level of confidence and purpose. Strong displays from Somè Wolf, Kassius Bell and 17-year-old junior Brahman Riley Snow, making his Under 20s debut, helped set the tone for the afternoon. The Tetley brothers were outstanding with the boot, combining to convert all three attempts as the young Brahmans secured an impressive 18-10 victory to kick-start the day.

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Reserve Grade continued the momentum with an entertaining contest. Tries to Lochie Wake, Fletcher Turner, Luke MacDonald, Byron Chauntler and Carlo Moretto gave the home side control, while Byron Taylor was perfect from the tee, landing five conversions from five attempts. The Brahmans held firm to claim a well-earned 30-22 win, making it two victories from two heading into the feature match.

The A Grade men faced a tough challenge against the Tigers, taking the field without a full-strength squad. While the side defended courageously throughout the contest, they struggled to find their usual attacking rhythm and depth against a quality opposition. Despite a massive defensive effort, the Brahmans were held scoreless, with the Tigers claiming an 18-0 victory.

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Off the field, Ladies Day was a tremendous success, with the sea of pink, beautiful floral styling and incredible atmosphere making it a memorable occasion for everyone involved.

The Whitsunday Brahmans extend a sincere thank you to all of the sponsors, supporters and volunteers whose hard work helped make the day such a success.

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The action returns to Les Stagg Oval this Saturday for Sponsors Day, with all four Brahmans teams, including the women, taking on one of their biggest rivals, the Moranbah Miners. Kick-off begins from 2pm, and the club encourages everyone to come along, wear the purple and green with pride, and get behind the Brahmans for another huge day of rugby league.

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Contributed with thanks to Mandy Bateup.  

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