Over 200 keen rugby union players surged into the Whitsunday Sportspark last weekend, for the coveted Viking Cup.

The annual rugby union carnival saw hundreds of players, aged from 5 to 16, with their families, from all across the state, for a massive weekend of sport.

President of Whitsunday Junior Rugby Union, Tim Oberg, said “Our Committee made some small but significant changes to the Viking Cup this year such as reverting to the original 10s format, bringing it forward into the school holidays to encourage teams from outside our region to attend and moving our canteen into the stunning new Club House.

“All of these changes were validated with record attendances, much more efficient food and drink service and some absolutely wonderful Rugby being played by so many little legends.”

The U8 trophy was taken by the mixed Cap Coast Crocs from Yeppoon, and the U10 trophy by the mixed Nogoa Red Claws from Emerald.

U14 and U16 trophies were won by boys Nogoa Red Claws.

Head Coach of the Whitsundays Raiders Girls teams, Nathan Sainbury, said “It is fantastic to see the growth of the game for women and girls. “The Central Highlands Titans continue to produce excellent Rugby players and the development we have seen from Bowen in a short time is incredibly encouraging,” he said.

“The pathway to professional Rugby is growing for the girls and it is exciting to see former Raider, Seraphina Dufil, playing for the Queensland Country Orchids over the past week, as well as multiple girls from the Mackay District representing Central Queensland in 7s and the junior Orchids. 2024 is going to be another exciting year for girls Rugby Union in the Whitsundays!”

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Over the weekend 3 Cannons travelled to Mackay to participate in the Duel in the Pool. Remy Hedges, Jacob Bell, Holly Perrin with Coach Mark Erickson were selected for the NQ team which competed against a CQ team. Even though NQ lost to CQ, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the weekend. A big thank you to SNQ (Theresa Manning) for organizing the event and a big thank you to Andrew Bell for officiating.  

The Cannons hosted another successful Club Night on Wednesday Night. Congratulations to Leo Mulliss and Tora Delac for winning the Chocolate Awards. Congratulations to Dylan Reynolds, Tora Delac, Isabella Pisaniello, and Charlie Doherty for achieving Upgrade times.  

The Cannons would like to welcome Bonnie and Gracie Crichton. They both swam extremely well at their first Club Night.  

Top performers of the night include Andie Reynolds who swam PBs in all four of her races. Charlie Doherty and Eric Mullis swam 3 PBs. Charlie swam huge PBs of over 9sec in his 200m Backstroke and 200m Breaststroke. Nelson Malady swam a fantastic time of 1.26.73 in his 100m Backstroke (which was a 9.18sec PB). Celeste Orenshaw swam an excellent 100m Freestyle in 1.27.47 (a 7.56sec PB). Abi Maher swam a super smooth 100m Breaststroke in under 2min, achieving a 7.22sec PB.  Roxy Groom, Millie Groom, Matilda Nicholes, Charlie Doherty, and Jack Ganter swam extremely well in their medleys. Trace Quick swam a brilliant 12m Freestyle in 13.7sec. Coaches were very impressed with Harry Chegwidden, Evie Doherty and Thomas Ganter’s Breaststroke and Backstroke times.  

Well done to all the swimmers who participated on Wednesday! A big thank you to all the parents, volunteers, and coaches for all their support! 26 Cannons will be travelling to Mackay next weekend to compete at the Pioneer carnival.

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen.

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Cannons Duel in the Pool Team - Coach MarK, Jacob, Holly and Remy

Cannons Club Night Sept 2023. Photos supplied

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Sunday 24th September saw 28 shooters competing for the day.  

We had visitors from Silkwood, Burdekin, Mackay/Sarina, and Caboolture joining us for a great day of competition.

The day was extremely windy with a scattered shower in the afternoon.

The winners were:

Ev 1: 25T DB Sweepstakes AA: G Maltby, A Lemphers 25/25, T Coco 24/25

A: J Cerqui, R Zarb, D Stitt, B Gall, C Edgerton 23/25;

B: A Perna 24/25, N Kirkman, L Dalton, M Populin, A Aitchison 23/25;

C: M O'Reilly, P LeBlowitz 23/25, K Perna 22/25

Ev 2: 25T DB Handicap: 1st: A Perna, 2nd S Steele, 3rd N Kirkman

Ev 3: 25T SB Continental Port Denison Championship Sponsored by Bowen Home Hardware O/A & AA: T Coco 24/25

A: W Cislowski 24/28

B: A Thatcher 22/26

C: K Perna 20/25

Ev 4: 30T DB Continental Sweepstakes

AA: A Lemphers 30/30, A Zarb 29/30, G Maltby 28/30;

A: R Zarb 30/30, D Stitt, A Lord 28/30,

B: L Dalton 28/30, A Thatcher, A Aitchison 27/30;

C: K Perna 28/30, P LeBlowitz, S Jones 26/30

Thank you to our sponsor of the day, Bowen Home Hardware and to everyone who helped in any way over the weekend. Our next shoot will be held on Sunday 22 October commencing at 9.00am.

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From the early days of playing basketball by himself to making the U18 Division 1 Mackay Meteor team, Liam Steen has come a long way.

Recently competing in the State Performance Program (SPP) trials, Liam is one of five youths selected from Mackay, and one of 10 selected from the trials, where a total of 45 youths were vying for a prestigious spot in the squad.

Undertaking the professional development and training through SPP, Liam is looking forward to a shot in the North Queensland U18 team.

“To make the program feels good,” Liam explained.

“I didn’t think I played the best at the trials, so I didn’t think I’d make the program.”

Liam will continue playing and competing with the Mackay Meteors, heading in to the North Queensland Junior Basketball competition over the next few months.

Likely to secure a few wins, Liam and the Mackay Meteors will travel to the Gold Coast for the U18 Division 1 State Championships.

In January, he will find out if he has been selected for the North Queensland U18 state team, however, Liam is looking forward to all opportunities.

“At this stage, I’ll just see where the sport takes me,” he said.

In his downtime before the competitions gets started, Liam is keen to share his best tips for up-and-coming players.

“For any aspiring basketball players, here’s my tips.

“Act keen and always ready for the ball.

“Be consistent with training and practicing.

“Train and practice by yourself. It’ll show that you’re committed.

“And join a club team. It really helps with techniques.”

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Liam Steen’s future in professional basketball is shining bright. Photo supplied

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This week’s 9-hole stableford saw Peter Bitz in first place with 24 pts and scoring a hole in one on hole 2, second place with a 21 c/b was Edwina Pettiford and third place with 21 pts Dennis Moss.

Fridays 9-hole stableford saw Scott Morrissey in first place with 21 pts, second Dee Norman with 20 pts and third place Dom Lipski with 19pts.

Sundays 4 ball better ball competition was a great turn out which saw Scott and Jack Williams-Hayes in first place with 50pts, second on 45 pts was David Wallace and Alan Clinch, third place with 44 pts was Billy Blacker and Dom Lipski. Great job by all.

Sunday also saw a few holes in one. Eric Gruszczynski on hole 11, Ryan Kenny hole 15 and David Thomas on hole 5. Great job gentlemen.

This Sunday 1st Oct 2023 will be our Monthly medal 18-hole stableford tee off at 10:00am.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Green Club.

Eric Gruszczynski. Photo supplied

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A few drops of rain frightened off a few this week.   It certainly wasn't as windy as it has been and fortunately the rain held off for most of the day.

Ladies were in short supply with only 1 A grade lady, Tiina Randmae a winner with 33 points while Helen Deighton took out B grade with 35 points on a countback from Paula McQuat, with Vickie Wallace in 3rd place with 29 points.

Men's A grade winner was Louis Neethling with a very commendable 40 points followed by Warren Deighton with 38 points. Third place went to Geoff Harrison with 35 points. Good scoring there.

Men's B grade winner was John Oates with 35 points, runner up was Peter Lewis with 33 points on a countback from Laurie Dakin.

Pin shots: for the ladies Helen Deighton got all 3 B grade pin shots while Tiina Randmae managed 2 for A grade.

Tiina had the only chip in.

For the men: pin shots went to John Oates. Gary Scotford, Wilf Herweg, Geoff Harrison, and Peter Lewis.

Next Tuesday we will be going to Home Hill for our last trip away for the year.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat.

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Tim Deffner had a very nice round of 42pts to win the Tuesday Stableford, followed by Louis Neethling on 39pts and Ben Smith on 36 pts.

Rehab Hull was the generous sponsor for the Ladies 3 club and a putter day, Heather Luvis playing well with limited clubs to beat Tiina Randmae on a countback with 34pts and Trish McNeill in 3rd place with 33 pts.

Steve Stewart edged out Gavin Kerwand on Thursday by one point, winning Division 1 with 37 pts, Gavin in 2ndplace and Blake Lovelock in 3rd place with 35 pts. Division 2 winner was Ned Davies with 39 pts, on a countback from Ken Lovett, and Barry Shuwalow on 38pts.

The Met 9 hole competition on Friday was hotly contested with the top 3 all on 20 pts, Pat Camm beating Jack Hayes-Williams on a countback, and Paul Skelton won 3rd place. NTP winners: Paul Skelton and Pat Camm.

Heather Luvis was again playing well in the MBW Saturday Stableford to win the Ladies competition with 35 pts. Diane Chard in 2nd place and Anna Winterbourn 3rd.

Ross Meade scorched the men’s field with a blistering 43pts to win the MBW men’s Stableford, ahead of Jett Borghero on 36 pts and Karl Kirkwood on 35pts.

Peta Thomas also had a fantastic, handicap reducing round winning the Sunday Stableford with 42pts ahead of Gerald Lovell on 40 pts and Nicole Cooper on 38 pts. NTP’s were won by Karl Kirkwood, Mel Patullo and Gerald Lovell x 2.

Contributed with thanks to the Proserpine Golf Course Pro Shop Team.

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On Wednesday, men and ladies played a single stableford for a club trophy.  Ladies’ winner on a countback Ruth Dunn 42pts, runner up Amanda Parter 42pts.  Men’s winner Scott Pearce 40pts, runner up on a countback Brett Richards 39pts.

On Saturday we played a 2-ball 18-hole footy themed ambrose. Winners were Jeff Jackson and Tom Wikander 61.5, 2nd Robyn Slade and Ron Edkins 62.75, 3rd David and Peter Martin 63.25.  Best dressed went to Grace Nott and Toss Eisemann.  NSW won the shield this year.  Qld will have to try harder next year.  Thank you to the sponsors for a great day!

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott.

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Footy themed ambrose winners with sponsors. Photo supplied

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On Tuesday, winners were Merle Elphinstone, Jude Vigar, Deb Retchless, and Sugar and Ian B, Bill, Ron, and Denis Walker. The jackpot didn’t go off.

Our barefoot bowls on Friday Night is still been keenly contested by our new up and coming bowlers. Winners for the night were Wendy, Ian, and Les.

Sunday winners came out on Rink 5. They were Deb Retchless, Ron Boskma, and Kennedy Whitton, others Linda Scells, Jim Chadwick, and Fely Duncan. The jackpot didn’t go off.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren.

Sunday’s winners. Photo supplied

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Club Competition Coming Into Final Stages

On Sunday morning the Final of the Club's 2 Bowl Triples was held.  Last year's winners Shane Kinnear, Scott Hamilton and Wayne Handley proved too strong for their opponents Todd Leys, Jonathan Bye and Gavin Milne with a 37 - 9 win.   The Champion of Champions for the 2Bowl Triples will be played at Pioneer Valley on October 28 and 29.

Also on Sunday morning the second Semi Final of the B Pairs was played.  This game was close throughout, with it being 18 all at the end of the 21 ends.  In that extra end 3 of the first 4 bowls by Ken and Kendall were touchas.  This had Harry and Toby having to play shots to attempt a head conversion.  Ken Watts and Kendall Watts defeated Harry Craig and Toby Craig 22 - 18.

Reminder to all that our AGM is Saturday, October 7 at 10am.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown.

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As spring just about enters its second

month and warm week of

lawn bowls starting on Tuesday

afternoon with 3 great close games in play

and the highest winning score belonged

to Wendy Pomeroy whom combined with

Henny Tattam comfortably beat the rest of

the field,

Wednesday afternoon Jackpot Bowls capably

run by Merve Stewart saw the combination

of the knee Mens A Grade Champion

Alan Pershouse with the above-mentioned

Merve Stewart run away with the prize

money.

We have Mixed Triples and Pairs in full

swim and results will be published soon.

Saturday morning saw a contingent of

supporters with Rick Brunnell and newly

elected selector Bobby Spee , with John

Askew, Eric Barnard and Mark Mawson

head to St Helens bowls club to cheer on

Graham Cowling in the Senior Singles

Champion of Champions

and he did admirably, going down in

the quarterfinals but did our club proud

with some great bowls.

Sunday afternoon Social bowls saw again

a big roll up, and saw Stacey Hadlow take

out the prestigious Health Hub award and

the winning team of Margo Stanley, who is

in sparkling form with Andy McDougall.

Also Andrew Butler with Elaine Kippen

beat our little pocket rocket Carol Crosbie

playing with her husband Noel just go

down in the Mixed Pairs

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson.

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In a gallant gathering of bowlers from across the district, the Annual Challenge Cup, formerly known as the Past Presidents Cup, took centre stage at the North Mackay Bowls Club. Twenty-two teams converged to mark the inaugural edition of this exciting event, and the day was filled with camaraderie and fierce competition.

The men's team emerged triumphant, led by the skilled hand of skipper Mick Walsh from the Mackay Club. On the ladies' front, it was Lidia McCarthy from the North Mackay Club who guided her team to a hard-fought second place.

The Marian Ladies team had lady luck on their side, earning the title of the day's lucky card.

After the intense matches came to a close, all participants were treated to afternoon tea, adding a sweet touch to the day's festivities. The Annual Challenge Cup will return next September, promising another round of thrilling bowls action.

The day also raised $500 for the Pink Bus initiative.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Social Bowls enthusiasts took to the greens on the 20th of September. The winning trio for the day consisted of Helen Fleming, Brenda Trannore, and Deb Mackenzie, while Cecelia Lee, Carmel Bell, and Lorraine Lemke secured the runners-up position, adding their names to the annals of bowler excellence.

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North Mackay Saints have etched their names in the local AFL record books after securing a fifth consecutive Senior Men’s premiership.

The well drilled Saints stamped themselves the most successful club in the 2023 AFL Mackay competition after toppling the Eastern Swans 9-9 (58) to 5-4 (34) to lift the Allied Cup at Etwell Park in Bakers Creek.

It was a Grand Final Day to savour for the proud North Mackay organisation who also clinched the Senior Women and Under 14 premierships to come away with a deserved trifecta.

Saints ace Alec Townsend was named Best on Ground after a powerhouse display with support from Luke Slater, Jackson Perkins, Patrick Ryan, Cody Filewood, Brad Smith and Steven Pugh, this year’s Mick Miller Medal recipient for the competition’s Best & Fairest Player.

The Saints led 20-8 at the half time break and 40-9 at the end of the third quarter before the Swans staged a late revival.

Filewood booted four goals for the match with Ryan, Townsend, Cameron Hill, Cal McLeod and Cohen Frith all adding six pointers.

The Saints’ latest triumph was the club’s 14th title in the Senior Mens ranks following earlier trophy wins in 1974, 1976, 1983, 1987, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

Joseph Hackney, Jack Mentha, Mark Svaikauskas, Joshua Moyle, Ryan Haynes and Mitchell Cook tried hard for the Swans.

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North Mackay claimed the Triple M Cup Senior Women’s title after blitzing Mackay City Hawks 5-8 (38) to 1.

Saints dynamo Alysha Nunn was Best on Ground after a superb performance with Lyneeka Hollows (4 goals), skipper Rahnee Vaccaneo, Siobhan Carlton, Kirra Swanson, Emily Upton, Teresa Jenkins and Miya Scott also turning in strong games.

There was double reason for the Saints to celebrate after avenging last year’s Grand Final loss to the Hawks.

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Mackay Magpies collected the Mackay Cup Reserve Grade trophy with an impressive 11-5 (71) to 7-4 (46) victory over North Mackay Saints.

Magpies star Harry Thompson was Best on Ground with support from Tim Moon, Tom Roney, Matt Bowerman and Noah Gauci.

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Moranbah Bulldogs were crowned Under 17 Boys champions after tossing Whitsunday Sea Eagles by 9-5 (59) to 5-3 (33).

The Bulldogs led 15-14 at the half time interval and 29-27 at the third break before finishing strongly with five goals to clinch the Isuzu UTE Cup.

Outstanding Bulldogs prospect Taylor Edie was named Best on Ground and was ably supported by Andrew Dyer (five goals), skipper Blake Thompson, Harrison Rogers, Lincoln Nicholas and Riley King.

The Sea Eagles were best served by Ryan Mansfield, Foxx LaMonica, Jacob Dewis, Jack Jeffries and Nash McIntosh.

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North Mackay unveiled their depth of junior talent to capture the Under 14 Boys premiership with a 7-7 (49) to 3-6 (24) triumph over the Mackay Magpies.

Spearheaded by a best on ground performance from Elias Goss, the Saints peaked in the most important match of the season – leading all the way to sink the minor premiers and claim the Isuzu UTE Shield.

Other Saints’ players to shine were Jack Kirwan, Zahn Bugeja, Michael Bronsema and skipper Lincoln Morgan while Callum Strydom, Xavier Wayman, skipper Kyle Roberts and Hunter Wood impressed for the Magpies.

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Eastern Swans lifted the Under 12 Boys Isuzu UTE premiership trophy after trouncing Whitsunday Sea Eagles 6-8 (44) to 2-2 (14).

The Swans – who lost only one match all season - had too many big guns for the Sea Eagles with emerging colt Winston Sutton named Best on Ground with support from Beau McPherson, Zaide Cornell, Corey Mills and Kai Percy.

Whitsunday were best served by Connor Marks, Hunter Cornwall, Stirling Rogan-Hamilton, Tyson Fowler and Jack Smith.

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Men’s Grand Final, Saints v Eastern Swans

Women’s Grand Final, Saints v Hawks

Reserve’s Grand Final, Magpies v Saints

U17 Grand Final, Bulldogs v Sea Eagles

U14 Grand Final, Saints v Magpies

U12 Grand Final, Swans v Sea Eagles

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Mackay Magpies trump cards Jaxn Sign and Ben Zurvas stole the show as the CiteCon Kingfishers captured the inaugural Porters Mitre 10 Twenty20 Smash title last weekend at Great Barrier Reef Arena.

The 20-year-old young guns showed nerves of steel to help engineer a Grand Final victory over the BTB Electrical Breakers with their batting heroics.

Sign – who was named Player of the Final - top scored with 71 runs off 42 balls in an innings that featured four sixes and six boundaries while Zurvas hammered an unbeaten 62 off 44 balls with eight boundaries and a six and skipper Sam Vassallo (25) as the Kingfishers posted 4-191 from their allotted twenty overs.

A highlight was the crucial third wicket stand of 131 shared by Sign and Zurvas to place their side in the box seat.

The Electrical Breakers – who edged out the Gibbs Air Crocs for a Grand Final spot – were restricted to 7-167 with Brothers star Matthew Wicks cracking a superb 88 off 45 balls and St Patrick’s College schoolboy Haiden Mellifont (Pioneer Valley) compiling an unbeaten 33.

Wicks’ power knock included three sixes and six boundaries with Walkerston spinner Chris McEldowney (2-30) and Pioneer Valley quick Bailey Camilleri (2-32) the pick of the Kingfishers bowlers.

Brothers quick Floris Duvenhage (2-35), Magpies paceman Todd Dixon (2-40) and Walkerston seamer Nick Lotarski (1-29) spearheaded the Electrical Breakers attack.

In the lead up to the Grand Final, the Kingfishers won five of their six matches to grab top spot with impressive performances from all rounder McEldowney, Camilleri, Vassallo, Darryn Dyer and Scott Randles.

An opening stand of 152 between Norths batsman Dyer (84) and Walkerston ace Vassallo (61) proved a highlight.

Pioneer Valley’s Mitch English smashed an unbeaten 115 off 49 balls for the Electrical Breakers in the early rounds – sharing a 175 run union with Chris Day (88) plus a belligerent 46.

The prolific scoring Wicks was a stand out – also amassing scores of 92, 82 and 49 with Brothers bat Mitch Wadsworth posting 66 and Mellifont a valuable 53.

Norths run machine Lane Kohler blasted 114 off 45 balls for the Gibbs Air Crocs that included 13 massive sixes and three boundaries while all rounders Mason Kohler (Norths), Conor Bryant (Magpies) and Jason Butterworth (65) shone for the Custom Fluidpower Mudcrabs.

The championship-winning Kingfishers squad included Sam Vassallo (Walkerston) captain; Darryn Dyer (Norths), Ben Zurvas (Magpies), Jaxn Sign (Magpies), Chris McEldowney (Walkerston), Bailey Camilleri (Pioneer Valley), Nick Lotarski (Walkerston), Liam Newbery (Walkerston), Scott Randles (Walkerston), Cooper Spencer (Pioneer Valley) and Cameron Tomerini (Brothers).

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Swimming enthusiasts were treated to a thrilling spectacle last weekend as Central Queensland emerged victorious in an action-packed swimming event held at the ARC. This two-day extravaganza, presented by Swimming North Queensland and Central Queensland Swimming, brought together the finest swimmers from both regions, creating a swimming showdown reminiscent of a State of Origin clash.

The event lived up to its promise of showcasing power, strength, and stamina as swimmers from Central Queensland demonstrated their prowess in the pool. The energy was contagious, and the team spirit was nothing short of electrifying as families gathered to cheer on their loved ones.

The fast-paced format kept spectators entertained throughout the competition, with mixed relays featuring a variety of swimming strokes one after the other.

Reigning champions, Central Queensland's victory marked a memorable weekend of swimming action, leaving fans eagerly anticipating future showdowns in the pool.

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Photo credit: Amanda Wright

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