On Saturday, the Mackay Bowls Club played a Ladies v Men Challenge.

Congratulations to the men who were victorious defeating women on all rinks.

On the day, bowls and the club were the winners with 30 members enjoying an afternoon of good bowls and friendship.

Rink Winners

Mick Irving, Mick Coll, Steve Cassidy def Val Edwards, Hazel Chiconi, Carol Savage

Alan Summerfield, Gary Blackburn Brian Williams def Helen Truscott, Julie Caban, Wendy Pomeroy

Alan Bartlett, Peter Molloy, Chris Molloy def Janice Nelson, Robyn Schatkowski

Barry Jenner, Col Stevens, Barry Paskins def Denise Mezzen, Marie Mayfield

Col Marks, Greg Thomsen, Trevor Mayfield def Tony Blucher, Thelma Fry, Leanne Jenner

Results

Tuesday Social Bowls

Winners of Winners

Leanne Jenner, Barry Jenner, Peter Taaffe

Winner of Losers

Robyn Schatkowski, Whare Herewini, Barry Paskins

Thursday Scroungers

Whare Herewini def Mick Coll

Friday Social Play

Winner of Winners

Barry Jenner and Marie Mayfield

Winner of Losers

Leanne Jenner and Lyn Jackson

Ladies Championships fours and pairs start on Friday (today) as well as Social Bowls.

Men’s Club Championships start on Saturday with open fours and open pairs starting at 1.00pm.

Barefoot social bowls is on Sunday starting at 3.00pm. Everyone welcome.

Players are reminded that Wests Tigers Challenge is on Saturday 12th March.

Contributed by Mike Irving

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With an event sponsored by Bushman’s Bakery, it was extremely appropriate that the winning team of Goosies’ ‘Under the Shed’ tournament was named the ‘Dough Makers’!

It’s a major event for the local bowls club in North Mackay, attracting bowlers from across Queensland to have a crack at the $12,000 prize pool. As a Bowls Australia Tier 3 ranked event, bowlers know they will face fierce competition in the mission to land nearest the jack.

Held last weekend on the 18 and 19 February, it was a heavily contested event, and though the competition was tight with many games being decided by one or two points, many return each year for the camaraderie. This year, 32 teams competed over the two days, each playing five games to determine the winner.

The winning team was Peter Grant, Paul Goldston, Gary Simmons and Peter Blackburn.

It was a very successful weekend for the North Mackay Club as well as Mackay Bowls in general.

Contributed by Ian Rowan

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Teams at Goosies in the Under the Shed competition

The final game for The Dough Makers

The winning team, the Dough Makers

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A young footballer who recently dipped his toes in futsal is now saving up to travel to Barcelona in June to represent Australia in the indoor game.

12-year-old Blake Potter first kicked a football at the age of four.

It’s been his lifelong dream to play professional football but when his Mackay State High School Football Academy coaches selected him in their futsal team for last year’s Whitsunday School Titles, representative futsal beckoned.

From there, he was selected to represent Queensland Country, gelling with a team of boys he’d never met or played with, before being selected to represent U13 Australia in Barcelona in June.

“It felt really good,” said Blake.

“I was a bit shocked actually.”

Blake and his family moved to Mackay early last year from Melbourne, where Blake played with various football academies and clubs including in the NPL Club Oakleigh Cannons system.

He’s played for both Magpies Crusaders and Mackay Lions since relocating and looks to develop his skills through futsal.

“Futsal’s definitely more fast paced, and you need indoor footwork but outdoor is more of a controlled game,” said Blake.

“Your foot skills really develop a lot, playing futsal, which he can transfer into the outdoor game,” agreed his mother, Amber Potter.

Blake has been working hard to fund his Spain trip, with local businesses paying him to drop pamphlets in letterboxes throughout town.

“When he found out he’d been selected and we showed him the cost, he said, ‘Can I get a job to help?’” said Amber.

“I was really proud of him, wanting to chip in and make it happen.”

As well as letterbox dropping, Blake has asked people in his neighbourhood to donate their cans and bottles, where he cashes them in to save for the trip.

Amber has also been putting together hampers with products donated from local businesses and started selling raffle tickets earlier this week.

“The local businesses have been so generous, it’s blown me away,” she said.

Anyone interested in buying raffle tickets or assisting in selling them can email Amber at info@twilightevents.com.au.

Before June, Blake will join a team representing Mackay at the Northern Regional Futsal Titles in Brisbane in April.

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12-year-old Blake Potter will travel to Barcelona in June to represent Australia in futsal. Photos supplied

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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures Tuesday, February 14, 2023:

Division 1:

Pelicans (Charlie Payne, Branko Vucurovic, John McGee, Veronica Shepherd) d Magpies (George Camilleri, Delma Knight, Charles Hamlett) 9-5. Branko d George 7, 8, -11, -8, 9.

Cockatoos (Tony Bowman, Steve Mathieson, Peter Goodson, Don Boettcher) d Doves (Michael Ibbotson, Pam Joyce, Kevin Abbott, Coral Morgan) 10-4. Peter d Kevin 6, -6, 5, -6, 10.

Division 2:

Owls (Kim Challender, Robyn Bushell, Helen Ware) d Parrots (Bryan Marshall, Marie Taylor) 8-4. Marie d Kim -5, -6, 6, 10, 9.

Kookaburras (John Hamelink, Ken Best) d Ibis (Iris Grasso, Louise Gould) 7-5. Louise d John 5, 9, -14, 9.

Division 3:

Eagles (Sharon Muller, Frank Caruana, Glenda Dutton) d Storks (Madge Saunders, Thelma Caruana, Allison Day) 9-3. Glenda d Allison -10, -6, 4, 8, 11.

Hawks (Pam Keune, Gloria Vella, Trish Zamparuti) d Pigeons (Ian Dodds, Bill Hey, Myles Dutton) 9-3. Gloria d Ian 7, -8, -8, 7, 1.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures February 14, 2023:

Division 1:

Tibhar (Mick Ruhl, Timothy Shehan, Allan Edwards) d Joola (Robbie Richards, Emma Widdup, Neil Brown) 7-4. Robbie d Timothy 9, -11, -7, 4, 9.

Victas (Anne Sheridan, Steven Whiting, Geoff Denman) d Donic (Graham Drury, Andrew McHugh, Daniel Warfield) 7-4. Andrew d Steven -8, 8, 9, -10, 9.

Division 2:

Radak (Lee Brake, Andrea Nicholson, George Camilleri) d Andro (Janice Kent, Graeme Walker, Mark Sleeman) 9-5. Andrea d Graeme 6, 10, -5, -5, 11.

Yasaka (Ian McKay, Duncan Treloar, Peter Goodson, Lily Boland) d Stiga (Graham Brake, Tony Bowman, Steve Mathieson, Matthew West) 9-5. Ian d Tony -5, 6, 11, -6, 8.

Division 3:

Gewo (Simon Hogan, Rymer Tabulo, Aarnav Reelh) d Nittaku (Steve Crocker, Jye Callander, Duncan Sheridan) 8-3. Aarnav d Steve 9, -7, -5, 9, 1.

Butterfly (Virginia Clayton, Val Austin, Trent Day) d Xiom (Leo Gilbert, Ollie Hamelink, Donna Abbott) 8-3. Virginia d Donna -4, -5, 7, 9, 9.

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The Mackay Cricket Dixon Homes T20 Shootout season came to a close on Saturday with a double header on Great Barrier Reef Arena, headlined by the Division 1 decider between Pioneer Valley and Magpies.

Pioneer Valley picked up the bat first after winning the toss, with openers Jack Sambell and Mitchell English forming a solid opening partnership.

Sambell was the first to go, departing for 23 runs off 21 deliveries in the fifth over, with bowler Todd Dixon striking again on the very next ball.

English went on to top score with 30 runs off 28, with the rest of the order struggling to keep the scoreboard ticking, leaving Pioneer Valley with 7/98 from 20 overs.

Dixon led the bowling attack finishing his four overs on 3/20, while Liam Zurvas and Andrew Borg both finished the innings with a wicket each and two run outs accounting for the other two wickets.

Magpies had an equally shaky innings, with only number five batsman Jaxn Sign getting settled at the crease.

Sign top scored with 35 off 49 not out and was assisted by Kai Higham with 14 and Blake Ryan with 13 in chasing down the total, reaching 7/99 with one ball remaining.

Alistair Houghton, Timothy Cridland and Cody Filewood finished with two wickets each and English with one, but it wasn’t enough in the end.

Another extremely close game was played out earlier in the afternoon, with the Division 2 final between Pioneer Valley and Norths playing out in an eerily similar fashion.

Pioneer Valley again won the toss and chose to bat, with openers Haiden Mellifont and Cooper Spencer top scoring with 37 and 32 respectively, helped by Dean Zeller with 19 to get the batting side to a respectable 8/150.

Ashley Murphy did the damage with the ball for Norths, finishing with three wickets and assisted by Lachlan Brett and Christopher Bell with two each.

After losing the early wicket of Chris Day, Norths took on the chase calmly and efficiently, with a 50 from Shawn Day, 32 from Daniel Tatow and 30 from Russel Counsell helping them to 4/151, again with one ball to spare.

One wicket each for B Reginato and H Kirkwood and two run outs gave Pioneer Valley a chance, but Norths held on, scoring the winning runs with a thick edge past the keeper.

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Magpies defeated Pioneer Valley in a closely fought Division 1 final

Pioneer Valley and Norths faced off in the Division 2 final, with Norths finishing on top. Photos supplied

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With plenty of school sports underway, Mackay Northern Beaches State High School students enjoyed their first training sessions for the 2023 Pedal Prix season.

Pedal Prix is a STEM activity challenge tasking students with driving, maintaining and scrutinising human-powered vehicles.

Students were eager to get involved and begin learning about everything relating to Pedal Prix.

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Mackay Northern Beaches State High School students have started training for the upcoming Pedal Prix season. Photo supplied

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Mackay Cutters V Townsville Blackhawks

Round: Trial 3

Venue: BB Print Stadium

Date: Sat February 25

Kickoff: 6.00pm

2023 Hostplus Cup Team List

1 Logen Dillon

2 Jake Riley

3 Joshua Smith

4 Flynn Camilleri

5 Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy

6 Adam Cook

7 Brandon Finnegan

8 Garrett Smith

9 Kyle Schneider

10 Hiale Roycroft

11 Isaiah Cooper-Tetevano

12 Luke Webley

13 Matthew Vessey

14 Bayley Gill

15 Adam Cuthbertson

16 Asher O’Donnell

17 Robson Stevens

18 Jack Hoffmann

19 Jaylan To’o

20 Joel Brown

21 Walter Lauenstein

22 Kane Simon

23 Henri Stocks

24 Hayden Pace

25 Dario Takitaki

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Some of Mackay’s most promising junior cricketers will pad up for Capricornia at the Queensland State Schoolboys Cricket Championships to be staged in Maroochydore from March 5-8.

Classy opening batsman Haiden Mellifont is one of seven St Patrick’s College players named in a strong Capricornia Boys 16-19yrs representative squad that will compete against rival regions at the four-day event.

The team will be coached and managed by local Mackay cricket legends Adam Knezevic and Chris Dunn, who are both teachers at St Patrick’s College.

17-year-old Mellifont, a regular top order batsman in the Pioneer Valley Cricket Club reserve grade X1, will skipper the team during the prestigious Carnival and will be joined by Mackay school colleagues Liam Zurvas, Joel McFarlane, Nick Beardmore, Liam Newbery, Cameron Tomerini and Etienne Pretorius.

Other squad members include Colby Rudd (The Cathedral College Rockhampton); Cayden Kent and Rory Connor (Rockhampton Grammar School); Caden Keirsnowski (Gladstone State High) and Liam Welsh (St Brendan’s College Yeppoon).

The talented Zurvas, an accomplished keeper-batsman from the Magpies Cricket Club, is also established in the Mackay Cricket Association’s second grade ranks along with dashing top order batsmen McFarlane and Pretorius (Walkerston); batting all-rounder Liam Newbery (Walkerston); leg spinner Nick Beardmore and off spinner Cameron Tomerini (Brothers).  

Rising star Zurvas had reason to celebrate last Saturday when he joined elder brothers Ben and Adam in helping the Magpies capture the Division 1 Twenty20 Shootout trophy with a thrilling Grand Final win over Pioneer Valley at Great Barrier Reef Arena.

Jaxn Sign proved the hero with a fine knock of 35 not out as the Magpies (7-99) eclipsed the Valley’s 7-98 in the final over.

A dual Capricornia schools’ representative, the versatile Mellifont is also an outstanding hockey prospect and firmly established in the current Hockey Queensland Under 18 State squad for 2023.  

Haiden hails from the strong Mackay Hockey Association and turned in consistent displays at an elite level last season.  

He was named in the Queensland Representative School Sport 19yrs Hockey Merit Team and claimed the Best & Fairest trophy for his superb performances in the 2022 Mackay Hockey A2 Mens competition.  

Mellifont impressed keen judges with classy displays for Queensland Gold at the Hockey Australia Under 18 Championships in Cairns last year.  

Last Saturday he top-scored for Pioneer Valley with a dashing 37 runs off 27 balls in the club’s Division 2 Twenty20 Shootout Grand Final loss to Norths Cricket Club at Great Barrier Reef Arena.

Mellifont cracked four boundaries and shared an opening stand of 61 with keeper Cooper Spencer (32) as the Valley posted 8-150 off their allotted overs.

In reply, Norths trio Shawn Day (50 runs off 49 balls), Daniel Tatow (32 off 24 balls) and keeper Russel Counsell (30 off 27 balls) combined to help steer their side to victory with a ball to spare.

MEANWHILE emerging St Patrick’s College keeper/batter Haylee Holdsworth will represent Capricornia at this year’s Queensland Schools State Cricket Championships from March 13-16 at Rockhampton Cricket Grounds.

By Chris Karas

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Classy St Patrick’s College batsman Haiden Mellifont will skipper the Capricornia representative X1 at the upcoming Queensland Schoolboys Cricket Championships in Maroochydore next month

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The weekend of February 3 and 4 saw a small tribe of Dolphins head to Emerald for the Emerald Seals Swimming Carnival.

Brothers Ralph and Rex Traeger as well as brothers Nate and Isaiah Espartinez had a fabulous day with Ralph taking out 8-year-old Age Champion and Isaiah taking out 9-year-old Runner’s Up Age Champion.

The whole club was not able to attend this carnival, but all cheered from afar and followed the results closely. Well done to all boys for fantastic results!

Contributed by Tahnie Malagueno

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L-R Ralph Traeger, Rex Traeger, Isaiah Espartinez and Nate Espartinez

Ralph 8-year-old age champion and Isaiah 9-year-old runner up age champion

Ready to race. Photos supplied: Tahnie Malagueno

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Marwood Takes On Virtual Cycling's Best In World Championships

Last Sunday, ten Australian athletes, including local cyclist Kyle Marwood, geared up for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, which is the premier virtual bike race in the world. The competitors raced across dozens of time zones and on two different days around the world. Primetime racing in Europe meant a pre-dawn challenge for the Aussies.

The World Championships had a different format this year, discarding the one-off scratch race in favour of a three race elimination style format. Although men’s world champion Jay Vine was unable to start, the Australian men’s team had the depth to challenge for results. Those with the most experience were 2022 silver medallist Freddy Ovett and fourth-place getter Ben Hill, two capable finishers on punchy terrain.

Last year, Sam Hill and Torben Partridge-Madsen provided valuable support to set up Australia’s one-two result, and they returned to the squad. Meanwhile, Josh Harris and local Mackay cyclist, Kyle Marwood, made their debuts. Marwood was a staple of last year's AusCycling Club Esports Series and made his national representative debut in the event. He is the owner of Mackay Cycles located in Ooralea and is a regular competitor at the Mackay Cycling Club's local races.

He geared up just after midnight and was supported by fellow Mackay Cycling Club members, Aram Drake and Jarrod Sampson in his garage, ready to tackle the world championship event in the early hours of Sunday morning.

In the first race of the men’s event, Marwood was amongst only three Australian riders in the top 30 who qualified for the second round. Freddy Ovett, who won the silver medal in 2022, progressed alongside Kyle Marwood and Ben Hill, who both made it through the first round in 29th and 30th respectively after a bunch sprint. Unfortunately, Marwood and Hill were eliminated in the second section of the race, which was the hilly component of the three-race challenge. Marwood finished 26th overall in the world. Ovett was the best-placed Australian, finishing in 6th overall.

Although Marwood did not medal, his participation in the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships was a significant achievement. It is a testament to his passion for cycling and dedication to the sport.

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Kyle Marwood represented Australia last weekend in the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships

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With gears clicking and wheels spinning, the Mackay Cycling Club's Criterium Series, sponsored by Mackay Cycles, has been a thrilling showcase of talent and endurance.

The second race of the three-event series saw more than 65 riders take to the roads of CQUniversity in Ooralea, pushing themselves to the limit as they sped around the circuit closed to traffic. From the U9 age group all the way up to seniors in A to D grades, the competition has been fierce, with riders vying for the top spot in their categories. With the final race of the series approaching, the riders are gearing up for one last push to the finish line, hoping to secure their place on the podium and claim victory in this thrilling test of skill and determination.

The Criterium Series has seen some fierce competition, with riders vying for the top spot in their respective categories. The in-form Kyle Marwood has been untouchable on the road, leading the A-grade after two events. Ben Sutton and Luke Schatkowski are tied at the top of the B-grade with one win each, while Mark Sheather has taken two from two to top the C grade. Mark Johnston also won both races in a heavily contested D grade to sit in first place.

In the juniors, Angus Wicks leads the U17 with two from two wins, while Peter Schatkowski and John Thomas are tied at the top of the U15 with a win each. Matthew Schatkowski leads the U13 with two from two, while Scott Bennett tops the U11 with two wins. Hamish Brennan rounds out the results, leading the U9 competition with two wins.

The Mackay Cycling Club's Criterium Series has showcased some exceptional cycling talent, and the final race promises to be an exciting event, with riders battling it out for top honours in their categories.

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Cyclists took to the streets of the CQUniversity campus in Ooralea last weekend for race two in the Mackay Cycles Criterium Series. Photo credit: Photos By Nell

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Mackay Athletics Club Summer Series Delivers Action-Packed Competition

With a burst of energy and a flurry of activity, the Mackay Athletics Club Summer Series number 3 competition sprinted into action last weekend. Athletes from across Queensland took to the track and field, leaping, throwing, and racing with the skill and precision of seasoned pros. The event showcased a range of athletic disciplines, including the High Jump, Long Jump, Discus, Javelin, Triple Jump, 3000m, 60m, 100m, and the 800m. As runners exploded out of the starting blocks and jumpers soared through the air, the competition was a true testament to the spirit of athletics and the dedication of its participants.

The event was also extremely well supported by athletes from the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions.

The competition provided a fantastic opportunity for athletes to get some competing time in before various upcoming competitions. These include the Queensland Athletics Championships in Brisbane from the 9th to the 12th of March, which is now open to U13's through to the Open age group. The Australian Masters Championships in Sydney on the 10th and 13th of March, the Queensland Athletics 3000m Championships in Brisbane on the 1st of March, and the NQ Cross Country Championships at Galbraith Park in Cannon Valley on the 19th of March. Additionally, the Chemist Warehouse Australian Open and Under 20 Track & Field Championships will take place from the 30th of March to the 2nd of April in Brisbane, and the Chemist Warehouse Australian Junior (Under 13 to Under 18) Track & Field Championships will take place from the 13th to the 16th of April, also in Brisbane.

The Mackay Athletics Club Summer Series number 3 competition was a testament to the dedication and sportsmanship of athletes across the state. The event was made possible by the hard work and effort of the organizing committee, volunteers, and participants who made it a success. The Mackay Athletics Club can be proud of its efforts in supporting and promoting athletics in the region by providing an off-season series to prepare athletes for the upcoming year.

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Athletes competed last weekend at the final of the Mackay Athletics Club’s Summer Series competition. Photo credit: Mackay Athletics Club

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Nominations are now open for Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association (MAFSA) Inc’s premier fundraising event at Eungella Dam, where both Junior and Senior anglers compete for the title of World Champion Angler in their respective divisions.

The event, the INDT 2023 World Sooty Championship will be held over two days on the 29th and 30th April, and is expected to attract more than 100 anglers to experience the wonderful Sooty Grunter fishing in Eungella Dam.

The dam is regularly stocked by MAFSA with funds generated by the Queensland Stocked Impoundment Permit ( SIP) scheme. MAFSA also raises funds locally to supplement stocking of native sooty grunter in the dam.

2023 will be the 18th time the tournament has been held. It attracts local anglers as well as from centres such as Mt Isa, Townsville, Dalby, Brisbane and anglers from interstate have also fished the tournament. Many anglers make it a family weekend at the dam and campers not in the event are always interested in seeing the quality of the fish caught in the tournament.

All scoring fish (minimum 300mm) are returned to the control area in on board tanks and after measuring for scoring purposes the fish are held in an above ground shaded swimming pool and released back into the dam at the end of each of the three sessions. Poor condition fish are disqualified and MAFSA emphasises the proper handling of the fish to ensure the tournament has a minimum impact on the fish numbers in the dam.

MAFSA Inc. holds the event in partnership with Sunwater and is supported by many local sponsors including INDT whose MD Craig Birkett is a regular competitor and often features among the top placings.

“MAFSA has created awesome freshwater fisheries in the Mackay area which regularly attract anglers from all over Australia and several anglers from Japan and the USA have enjoyed these fisheries,” Mr Birkett said.

“I am  proud to be associated with the volunteers of MAFSA  who work tirelessly to bring world class fishing experiences to Mackay’s dams for the benefit of locals and tourists alike.

“My Company has for several years supported the event as naming rights sponsor in recognition of the importance of MAFSA’s efforts” Mr Birkett said.

Long-time sponsors like Tackleworld Mackay, Reef Marine and Mackay Regional Council continue to support the tournament recognising it as a valuable fundraiser which enables MAFSA to enhance the “liveability” of the region and attract visitors to our area.

MAFSA Chairman Tim Swann said, “This is our major fundraiser for the year and during the tournament we will also be releasing more sooty grunter fingerlings into Eungella dam.

“The dam is already the premier Sooty Grunter fishery in Queensland and we will continue to enhance its reputation as a high quality Sooty Grunter fishery capable of attracting anglers from far and wide.

“I urge anglers to nominate early to avoid missing out as numbers are capped at 120 to compete for the quality prizes and trophies on offer,” he said.

Nominations and catering packages can be booked online at TryBooking and search “MAFSA” in the buy section.

“We look forward to another successful INDT 2023 World Sooty Championship tournament and welcoming regular and new competitors to the event,” Mr Swann concluded.

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Cowboys Young Guns And Mackay Cutters Clash In Airlie Beach This Weekend

In a preseason exhibition match for the ages the Mackay Cutters will face off against the North Queensland Cowboys’ Young Guns at the Whitsunday Sportspark in a Saturday night main event of what organisers are calling “a festival of footy”.

Starting from 1.00pm, the Whitsundays will be witness to “top-quality, prestige” football at the Sportspark in an event the likes of which have not been seen for more than a decade – what is being described as major coup for the region.

Cutters will take on the Cowboys in women’s and men’s divisions, Colts will battle the Brahmans, and it all kicks off on Saturday.

Cutters And Cowboys Young Guns Face Off At Sporstpark On Saturday

The Whitsundays will play host to an exhibition of high-calibre rugby league for the first time in ten years as the Mackay Cutters face the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns this weekend.

The redeveloped Whitsunday Sportspark was chosen as the venue for the two travelling side’s preseason battle which will act as the main event for a “Festival of Footy”.

Three games of high-tier football will be played this Saturday from 2.30pm, starting with the Mackay Cutters women’s side taking on the Cowboys Academy Squad followed by the Cutters Colts against the Brahmans, and finally the big finale: Young Guns facing the Cutters A-Grade.

And before the matches, the Whitsundays’ aspiring young footballers are being given the opportunity to take part in a NRL Development Skills Clinic hosted by all three attending clubs.

Whitsunday Sportspark spokesperson Justin Butler said there had not been a game of this calibre in the Whitsundays since 2013 when the Sportspark hosted a QRL Country Round between the Cutters and Norths Devils.

“We want to host more and more of this style of sporting event,” Mr Butler said.

“For the youngsters, this is an opportunity that they often don’t have. To see this quality of football and to be able to take part in a Skills Development Clinic, that’s gold for our region. As well, this is a great chance to show off the new airconditioned Sportspark before general trade opens in a few months."

Additional scaffold grandstand seating has already begun being placed at the Sportspark to accommodate tomorrow’s event, which Mr Butler said could see more than a thousand spectators.

On the footballing front, the Cowboys Young Guns will be bringing a strong team, according to coach Steve Sheppard – who has been lucky enough to field five Queensland Under 19 players in recent fixtures. They come into the game off the back of a 24-16 loss to Cairns’ Northern Pride team, a game Sheppard said was “full of learning experiences”.

“It was a decent effort [against Northern Pride] and we held our gloves up,” Sheppard said.

“We’ve worked on ball control this week and defence is something we’re always working on. This game will be about giving these boys an opportunity to play against men at a higher level, which is good for their development.

“Hopefully we can hold our gloves up again.”

The Cutters on the other hand are the opposite, coming in hot off the heels of a 24-10 win against Central Queensland Capras and are hoping to keep the momentum going – especially against a quality opponent.

Cutters head coach Michael Comerford – who replaced outgoing coach Dave Elliott at the beginning of this preseason – is eager to prove his mettle in his side's second fixture with him at the helm.

“We want to reach the potential we know we have, and games like last week’s show that potential,” Comerford said.

“We've made a point of challenging the players mentally. There are only so many ways you can run up and down a footy field and get fit so we've tried to add that element of challenging them mentally. We reflected on that being an area that let us down in big games last year. That is key to this preseason. If every player and member of the coaching staff are trying to be better every day, it should result in improved performance.”

Both sides – and the fans - will benefit from the game being played in quarters due to the heat, which should provide a fast, open day of rugby league. The action will begin at 2.30pm, with the Cutters Women's side and North Queensland Cowboys Academy Squad facing off, as well as a game between local representatives in the Whitsunday Brahman colours coming up against the Cutters' junior side, the Colts.

Food and beverages will be available across the day, and spectators are urged to bring chairs and picnic rugs for seating, as the grandstands will fill quickly.

Whitsunday Sportspark spokesperson Justin Butler said a show of excellent support will enable the club to leverage for further events of even bigger significance.

“This will act as a pilot event,” Mr Butler said.

“We could end up with some even bigger and better games in the future.”

Whitsunday Sportspark “Festival of Footy” Schedule:

1.00pm: Cowboys / Cutters / Proserpine Jnrs. / NRL Development Skills Clinic

2.30pm: BMD Women’s Mackay Cutters versus North Queensland Cowboys Academy Squad

4.00pm: Mackay Cutters Colts versus Whitsunday Brahmans

5:30pm: North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns versus Mackay Cutters A-Grade

Bar opens 2.00pm to 8.00pm, with no BYO alcohol.

Pricing: $10 entry for 13 and over, free for 12 and under.

Limited parking, additional bus services running from major stops.

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The Mackay Cutters will play against the North Queensland Cowboys’ Young Guns team at the Whitsunday Sportspark this Saturday at 7.00pm

The Mackay Cutters will take on the North Queensland Cowboys Young Guns tomorrow at the Whitsunday Sportspark, part of a huge weekend of football for the small town

The Whitsunday Sportspark will be witness to a high-level rugby league game for the first time in ten years

Crowds are expected to be out in force for the matchup which is the second preseason fixture for both teams

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A year 11 student from Bowen has made his way onto the podium of the 45th Australian Windsurfing Titles on the Sunshine Coast at Lake Cootharaba in early February, claiming a third place medal in his upward trajectory in the sport.

Sam Belyea from Bowen State High School placed an overall third in his youth division of 16- to 19-years at the national competition, beating out 141 other Australian windsurfers across three disciplines: course racing, slalom racing and the marathon event over 4 days.

The youngster has been windsurfing since 2018, having picked up the sport from his father and uncle, who have been windsurfing proponents since the 1980s.

His mother, Adelaide Belyea, said Sam had “jumped onboard with his dad and his uncle, as well as Whitsunday legend Dennis Winstanley.”

“Dennis has taken Sam under his wing and taught him over the past few years,” Adelaide said.

“Safe to say that’s very helpful when you have a multiple national champion in your corner to help you out.”

Sam’s third place finish at the National Titles is not his first accolade in the sport either, at last year’s iteration of the competition he brought home a Junior Australian Title last year.

He said both this year’s top three finish and the previous years were just more incentive to keep going strong with training and passion.

“When you see results, you get such a spark – you just want to get out on the water again,” Sam said.

“I think my grin was ear to ear when I was given the medal. I love this sport; it’s great on and off the water, competitive racing but it’s not something you take to heart. It’s a community where you’re there racing against some Olympic class sailors and learning.”

The young athlete has lofty ambitions as he already begins training for the World Windsurfing Titles in Perth at the end of this year and will be looking for sponsorship.

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Bowen State High School student Sam Belyea (R) placed third at the recent Australian Windsurfing Titles

Sam (L) competing in the Titles on the Sunshine Coast at Lake Cootharaba

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