This week, in stunning conditions, 74 people ran, jogged, and walked the 5km waterfront course. 22 were first timers and 8 recorded new Personal Bests.

Several milestones were achieved; Claire completed her 25th parkrun, Josiah completed his 50th, Josh his 100th, Andrew his 200th and Tim his 250th.

Tim is the first 'local' parkrunner to complete 250 parkruns.

The event was made possible thanks to RD Maree and her team of fabulous volunteers: Nick, Kara, Maverick, Bossie, Craig, Susanne, Shane, Debbie, Wendy, Laura, Louise, Jarrod, Lynne, Joanne, Chris, Alicia, Chris, and Rachael.

Airlie Beach parkrun started on 5th December 2015.

Since then, 4,885 participants have completed 25,017 parkruns covering a total distance of 125,085 km, including 2,901 new Personal Bests.

A total of 404 individuals have volunteered 3,691 times.

This Saturday Airlie Beach parkrun will use course 'B', which will meet at 6:50am for a briefing near the Garden Bar and Bohemian Raw, Coral Sea Marina. Parking is free in the lowest carpark till 9:30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard. Post parkrun coffee and chat is held at My Rainbow Bakery & Cafe.

The best-kept secret about parkrun is that it’s not about running - it’s about bringing people together in public parks and open spaces across the world to have some fun in a friendly, social, and supportive environment. You can walk or run the 5k course (pushing a pram or with one dog on a short lead if you want to!), lend a helping hand as a volunteer in a wide range of super-easy roles, or simply spectate and socialise on the sidelines.

There are no winners at parkrun and nobody comes last – the Tail walkers do. Regular participation is rewarded rather than performance, with ‘parkrun milestone shirts’ available to people to recognise their achievements in coming along.

Everyone is welcome.

Contributed with thanks to Parkrun Airlie Beach

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Andrew finishing his 200th park run, and Tim with his 250th

Just the best weather for our social paddling afternoon!

Such a great outlet from our jam-packed weeks for everyone-experienced paddlers or brand new to our fantastic sport.

Favourable winds allowed us to make our leisurely way over to Town Beach where a little further paddling technique was given-and time for a photo of this week’s team.

Outrigger Whitsunday have 5 OC6 that are paddled Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

The clubs’ social team take advantage of an OC6 that only weighs 65kgs- with its highly advanced design and strong yet light hull, it requires much less effort for paddlers to accelerate and to catch any bumps out on the bay.

If you would like to give outrigger paddling a go, just contact the club on its Facebook page or Michelle Lynes 0421 159 852

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Left-Kerrie, Robyn, Bolinda, Joanne, and Andrew in Outrigger Whitsunday’s lightweight OC6

22 Cannonvale Cannons braved the cool conditions to compete at the Pioneer Short Course Transition Meet held in Mackay on Sunday.  

Coaches, Mark Erickson and Ken Crittenden were very proud of all the young swimmers and would like to thank all the wonderful parents who assisted with officiating and managing the team.  Highlights include:  

8 Years and Under:  Eloise Chegwidden swam PBs in all her races.  

She was very pleased with her 2 silver medals and gold medal.  

Zane Clayworth swam a super 25m Butterfly in 30.04sec (3.22sec PB) to earn 3rd place.

One of Evelyn Doherty’s best swims was her 50m Backstroke (with a 1.88sec PB) which earnt her 2nd place.  

Indigo Harland aged 6 years smashed her 25m Butterfly time swimming a 14.35sec PB.  

Indigo’s sister, Koa swam an impressive 50m Breaststroke in a time of 1.00.65 (a 1.45sec PB) which earnt her 2nd place.  

Lucas Korosec had a very successful carnival, coming home with three gold medals and 1 bronze medal.  

8 – 10 Year Olds:  Ruby Harland, Harris Delac, Indianna Smith, Celeste Orenshaw, Adelaide Sanders, and Matilda Nicholes swam extremely well, swimming 5 or 6 PBs and all swam an excellent time in their 100m IM.  

Isaac Pisaniello also swam a super 100m IM and won his 50m Freestyle.

Jax Clayworth had an awesome carnival, swimming PBs in just about all his events and winning four of his events.

Don Algie came home with gold medals for his 50m Breaststroke, Butterfly, and Backstroke.  Jasper Korosec enjoyed all his races.  

11 Years and Over:  Tora Delac, Isabella Pisaniello and Charlie Doherty swam extremely, achieving PBs in most of their events.  

Tora did a massive 20.66sec PB in her 200m IM (2nd) and Charlie swam a 39.48sec PB in his 200m Backstroke (3rd place).  

Isabella’s best swims include her 50m Breaststroke (3rd) and 50m Butterfly (3rd).  

One of Dylan Reynolds best swims was her 100m IM which she swam a 11.14sec PB.  

Congratulations to all the Cannons!  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

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Cannonvale Canons taking out big wins at swimming competition

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WTA was happy to welcome NQTA Referees Director Joe Lo Grande to our last round of Touch on Monday.  

Joe was able to assess three of our referees and we are proud to announce that Tim, Callan and Claudia are our new Level 2 Referees.  

Congratulations, your untiring efforts have been rewarded.

Next Monday WTA’s Finals Series begins:

First Week

1 v 2 Winner goes straight to Grand Final

3 v 4 Loser eliminated  

Second Week

Loser of 1v 2 plays winner of 3 v 4  

Winner goes to Grand Final

Third Week

Grand Final

Round Twelve Results

Mixed A

Trusty (12) defeated Concrete Feet (2)

Vipers (8) defeated In the Crear (6)

Mixed B

Ray White (7) defeated Slippery Salmons (5)

Touch It defeated Guinea Fowls – on forfeit

Whitmonday Eagles (4 ) defeated Full Boar (1 )

Mixed C

Fumble This (8) defeated On Time (2)

Whitsunday Warriors (9) defeated Stingers (6)

Flametree Flames defeated Raiders C

Mixed C (Family)

Untouchables (5) drew Mainlanders (5)

Escapees /Misfits (11) defeated Raiders Family (5)

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Ladder Results

A Grade

1st Trusty

2nd In The Crear

3rd Vipers

4th Raiders A

5th Concrete Feet

B Grade

1st Ray White Mudcrabs

2nd Slippery Salmons

3rd Touch it

4th G.E.T. Touch

5th Whitmonday Eagles

6th Full Boar

7th The Guinea Fowls

C Grade

Fumble This

Flametree Flames

Whitsunday Warriors

Stingers  

OnTime

Raiders C

Family Grade  

Untouchables

Mainlanders

Escapees Misfits

Raiders Family

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For Mighty St Patrick’s Red League Rookies

Meet the promising St Patrick’s College Red rookies that captured the NRL Gala Day Trophy last week at the Mackay Junior League Fields.

Under the guidance of Sports Co-ordinator Mercy campus Matthew Paul, the Mackay colts underlined their depth of talent       with impressive victories in the preliminary rounds before toppling Bowen State High School 8-4 in the Year 7/8 trophy decider.

It is a second championship title for the young St Patrick’s warriors who won the Mackay Secondary Schools Year 7/8 rugby league premiership last month.  

St Patrick’s Red defeated Pioneer State High, Moranbah State High White and Mackay State High in the lead up to the Final.

Led by rampaging props Nate Faulkner and Tom Mulherin, the Reds forwards laid the foundations for victory with powerful performances with lock Flynn Taylor, hooker Mason Muscat and back rowers Seth Collins, Angus Barns, Theo James, Jude Fidler, Blake Battaia, Tayt Rowe, Connor Peno and back up hooker Zac Johnson turning in strong displays.

Elusive centres Harper Shields and Jaden Chimes posted the Reds’ two tries in the Grand Final.

Talented halves Darcy Cabassi and Matt Fenech provided slick service to a St Patrick’s backline loaded with talent and featuring top fullback prospect Nathan Simon, wingers Sonny Doring and Kooper Tomlinson and the versatile Kade Coburn.

David Casale’s St Patrick’s Blue and Blake Paskins’ St Patrick’s White sides also chalked up victories in the Pool fixtures.

Other schools to enter teams in the NRL Gala Trophy included Moranbah State High, Sarina State High, Mackay Northern Beaches State High, Pioneer State High, Mackay State High, Mirani State High and Mackay Christian College.

Contributed by Chris Karas

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St Patrick’s College Red standing L-R: Angus Barns, Jaden Chimes, Darcy Cabassi. Flynn Taylor, Nate Faulkner, Tom Mulherin, Connor Peno, Kade Coburn, Zac Johnson, Blake Battaia, Matt Fenech, Matthew Paul (coach), Harper Shields; front Tayt Rowe, Mason Muscat, Kooper Tomlinson, Sonny Doring, Theo James, Jude Fidler, Seth Collins and Nathan Simon

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Sarina Bowls Club celebrated and remembered all the fallen soldiers on Anzac Day. After a minute’s silence, 64 bowlers all in great spirit enjoyed an afternoon of two games of bowls, good music, many laughs and afternoon tea.

Contributed by Charlie Payne

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The winning team was from left Brian Adams, Greg Hughes, sponsor Les Smith, Ken Blinco and Andrew Adams with the Anzac shield

Tom Flanagan and Bill Roots in the Anzac spirit at Sarina Bowls Club. Photo credit: Rita Hughes

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Four Mackay Cutters have been named in the Queensland Maroons squad ahead of the opening game of the women’s State of Origin series in Sydney.

Emma Manzelmann, Shannon Mato, Romy Teitzel, and China Polata have all been named in the extended squad after leading the Cutters to the BMD Premiership semi-finals in the club’s debut season in the competition.

“We’ve picked in-form players on the back of a really strong BMD Premiership competition,” Maroons head coach Tahnee Norris said.

"This year’s competition has gone from strength to strength and we’ve seen a number of players force their way into the squad following consistent performances over the past few months.”

The Maroons will enter camp on Friday, May 26 to prepare for the opening game of the State of Origin series at CommBank Stadium on Thursday, June 1.

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3/5/23: Wednesday Social games winners are Gloria Sam, Wendy McGee and Marie Duck. Runners up are Carmel O’Lauchlan, Donna Gordon and Lidia McCarthy.

10/5/23: Wednesday Social games winners are Shirley Bartolo, Jean Schmidtke, Anne Smith and Joyce Camilleri. Runners up are Betty Mulhall, Helen Goldston, Pat O’Neill and Daphne Offield.

17/5/23: We celebrated our 75 anniversary with our PAH at Gooseponds Sport and Recreation Club. With players from all of our district clubs invited to this special event.

18/5/23: We commenced Ladies District Pennant games, good luck to all players who are playing in Division 1,2,3 and 4 this year.

Contributed by Sue Hazledine

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Mackay Cutters first grade team may be searching for its first victory in the Hostplus Cup this season, but the club’s heavy investment in youth is reaping dividends.

After four rounds, the all-conquering Cutters share top spot in the Hastings Deering Under 21 Colts competition and shape as an early contender for this year’s title.

The Mackay colts chalked up their third win of the 2023 series after toppling the Burleigh Bears 22-14 in blustery conditions at BB Print Stadium last Saturday to maintain their unbeaten record.

The Bears drew first blood after three minutes when winger Jeremiah Tamepo crossed before Mackay five eighth Henri Stocks and hooker Ethan Roberts posted tries in the space of eight minutes with goalkicker Stocks adding the extras for a 12-4 lead at the break.

Mackay extended their lead after the interval when interchange William Gething crashed over for his team’s third try of the afternoon.

Burleigh responded with tries by second rower Adam Christensen and a second for flyer Tamepo to bridge the gap before the Cutters sealed victory when winger Braydon Dunbar skirted the defence to nab a crucial late try.

Despite the Colts loss, the Bears capped a memorable day with the club clinching an historic seventh BMD Womens premiership and the first grade team roaring to the top of the Hostplus Cup table after trouncing the Cutters 42-6 in the main game.

Burleigh had too many big guns for the Cutters, producing a five-try second half blitz to grab the outright competition lead.

The Cutters matched the visitors for the opening 30 minutes until Bears skipper Sami Sauiluma scored the first of his two tries.

The Bears led 16-6 at the interval but punished the Cutters after the break with their powerful forwards strolling through tackles to lay on tries for Matthew Koellner, Jacob Alick,  Ken Maumalo, Tom Steadman and Sauiluma.

Mackay square off with Redcliffe this Saturday in a curtain raiser to the Dolphins v Melbourne Storm NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium from 5pm.

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Mackay Cutters Colts continue to impress. Photo credit: Marty Strecker Photography

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Fast Facts

Full name: Corben John Becker

Club: Mackay Brothers Under 20s/Mackay Cutters Hastings Deering Colts

Height: 181cm

Date of birth: 14/07/2004 (18 years)

Birthplace: Mackay

Position: Halfback/Fullback

Nickname: Corbs

Favourite NRL Clubs: Brisbane Broncos, Melbourne Storm, North Queensland Cowboys

Favourite Player: Johnathan Thurston

Occupation: Apprentice electrician

When Corben Becker received a call from a former coach late last year, he was ecstatic to receive the news.

It was a coach he’d played for at Walkerston Wanderers, who also assistant coaches the Hastings Deering Colts Mackay Cutters, giving him the call up to join the squad.

Corben has been training with the Mackay Cutters Under 21s squad and played one trial game, working hard to ensure a debut.

“I’m just taking it all in,” Corben said.

“I’m the younger half of the team so I’ve just been training and getting more experience for the years to come.”

Corben’s rugby league journey started at just five years old when he joined Brothers Junior Rugby League Club.

His family relocated to the Sunshine Coast where he continued to develop his skills at Gympie Devils and Noosa Pirates before returning to Mackay and Brothers.

Finishing his junior career at Wanderers, Corben returned to Brothers to play U20s before joining the Cutters system.

The dynamic and fleet-footed backrower is honoured to be a part of the team, taking every opportunity to learn from those around him.

“Everyone just helps you out; the culture here’s amazing,” he said.

“Your teammates are always boosting you up and you’re always trying to work yourself up to be as good as or better than the other people in your position.

“I’m just trying to play my best footy, not let my team down and play for my family.”

As a local who is following his rugby league dreams in his hometown, Corben’s advice to other young players is to keep learning.

“Always ask questions,” he said.

“Make sure you take in what the coaches tell you and put in 100% effort at training.”

Looking forward to his Colts debut, Corben is excitedly watching his team start their 2023 season with an undefeated run after three rounds.

“We haven’t lost yet,” he said.

“We’ve just got to keep up the grind and make sure we play more than a half of football.”

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Thrills and Spills at Queensland Mud Trials

The annual Queensland Mud Trials held in Sarina thrilled audiences once again, with competitors travelling across Queensland, as far west as Mount Isa, and New South Wales, as far south as Boomi, to participate.

It was truly a grudge match, with New South Wales versing Queensland in the matches, tensions running high, and audiences eager for the smoke of engines working.

Separated into five categories – Junior, Standard, Buggy, Bombs, and Top Gun – the competitors took the track of mud, spraying the audience, and testing their vehicles’ engines.

In one case, Junior competitor Eli Thomsett’s car erupted into smoke and fire on the last lap of his first heat.

His car, Backchat, has since been repaired, but Eli is already working towards the 2024 competition, where his sister, Millie, will join him with her car Mudicorn.

“It was a really successful day,” said Nell Thomsett, in charge of Sarina Mud Trials communications and Eli’s mum.

“We support Variety, and this year we donated $6,000 to Variety.

“We also support the local Scouts, who came in and collected all the cans from the event for their fundraising and had the Mackay Girls Basketball team on the gates.”

The Sarina Mud team also sold commemorative 35-year anniversary memorabilia, celebrating the massive milestone.

And everyone gets involves.

“The parents start racing, then the kids start,” said Nell.

“I would start but next year I’ll have two kids racing, and we can’t tow a third car!”

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Engines tested, and expectations exceeded, the 2023 Queensland Mud Trials was a massive success. Photos by Nell

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The Pioneer Valley played host to the Corry Cycles ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge on Saturday May 6, attracting over 100 adventure-seekers from across the country.

The ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge celebrates the life of former Mackay Christian College student Zach Roberts, who tragically lost his life in a traffic accident at the age of 18 and has become a beloved tradition in the Mackay community since its inception in 2013.

The challenge features four stages of intense adventure activity, including a 40km MTB, 10km kayak, 10km trail run and 30km road cycle.

Angus Wicks and Sam Palmer stole the show who, both aged 16, competed in their first full Challenge, taking out the Junior Pairs category.

The duo had been working their way up to this moment for many years, starting with the MINI MACH Adventure Challenge and setting their sights on the full ZACH MACH.

"We're incredibly proud of Angus and Sam's achievement," said Event Director Nikki Giles.

"It takes a lot of dedication and hard work to complete ZACH MACH, and for them to do it at such a young age is truly impressive."

Angus and Sam's determination and teamwork was on display, crossing the finish line with a time of 5 hours and 51 minutes.

"We're so happy to have completed the ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge and to have won our category," said Angus.

"It's been a goal of ours for a long time, and it feels amazing to finally achieve it."

"We've been training for this moment for a while, and we're grateful for the support of our families, friends and coaches who helped us get here. It's an incredible feeling to know that all our hard work has paid off," agreed Sam.

Women Solo Category Winners:

1st Bridie Ruff 4:46:21

2nd Bec Wood 5:23:40

3rd Kelly Chappell 5:55:45

Men Solo Category Winners:

1st Mitch Nissen 4:11:33

2nd Kurt Brunker 4:47:14

3rd Allan Jefferson 4:50:22

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L-R Angus and Sam on the podium

L-R Angus and Sam during the MTB course

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson opening this year’s Corry Cycles ZACH MACH Adventure Challenge. Photos supplied

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Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixture results May 9, 2023:

Division 1:

Ferrari (Andrew McHugh, Robbie Richards, Lee Brake) d Mercedes (Mark Sleeman, Geoff Denman, Daniel Warfield) 9-2. Andrew d Geoff -6, 6, -9, 10, 7.

BMW (Emma Widdup, Ian McKay, Ivan Perkins) d Jaguar (Tim Shehan, Barry Patterson, Anne Sheridan) 6-5. Barry d Ivan 2, -5, 6, -12, 6.

Lexus (Graham Brake, Mark Poplawski, Allan Edwards) d Audi (Mick Ruhl, Janice Kent, Duncan Treloar) 7-4. Allan d Janice -7, -5, 5, 7, 8.

Division 2:

Isuzu (Andrea Nicholson, Donna Abbott, Simon Hogan) d Mazda (Rymer Tabulo, Peter Goodson, Lily Boland) 6-5. Rymer d Donna -7, -10, 5, 7, 5.

Nissan (Graeme Walker, Will VanDeKaa, Matthew West) d Honda (Ishan Rana, George Camilleri, Mark Stam) 9-2. Will d George -7, 8, -8, 8, 11.

Division 3:

Hyuandi (Ollie Hamelink, Duncan Sheridan, Noreen Fredericksen) d Kia (Aarnav Reelh, Virginia Clayton, Craig VanDeKaa) 10-1. Aarnav d Ollie 11, -11, -9, 3, 9.

Holden (Tiffany Camilleri, Trent Day, John McGee) d Ford (Alok Rana, Steve Crocker, Val Austin) 9-2. Trent d Steve -6, -9, 7, 10, 8.

Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday morning fixtures May 9, 2023:

Division 1:

Green (Charlie Payne, Pam Joyce, Noreen Fredericksen) d Yellow (Donna Abbott, Peter Goodson, Bryan Marshall) 9-3. Charlie d Peter 9, -5, -5, 9, 8.

Red (Branko Vucurovic, Steve Mathieson, Kevin Abbott) d Blue (George Camilleri, John McGee, Don Boettcher) 7-5. Branko d George 5, -5, -8, 8, 6.

Division 2:

Orange (Helen Ware, Gloria Vella) d White (Marie Taylor, Kim Daffy) 7-3. Helen d Marie 9, 5, -8, -9, 9.

Purple (Iris Grasso, Ken Best, Judi Hicks) d Pink (Robyn Bushell, John Hamelink, Fred Saliba) 8-4. John d Ken 6, 5, -9, -7, 8.

Division 3:

Grey (Sharon Muller, Ian Dodds, Allison Day) d Tan (Thelma Caruana, Madge Saunders, Trish Zamparuti) 9-3. Madge d Sharon -9, 6, 8, -9, 7.

Aqua (Pam Keune, Robyn Giles) d Lime (Frank Caruana, Glenda Brookes, Carmel Cristaldi) 7-5. Robyn d Frank -6, -7, 13, 9, 10.

Contributed by Charlie Payne

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Aarnav Reelh is among juniors in action in Tuesday night table tennis fixtures. Photo credit: Charlie Payne

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Eight of Mackay’s best young cricketers have been drafted into the Brisbane Premier League’s prestigious Junior Twenty20 competition.

Exciting prospects Haiden Mellifont, Liam Zurvas, Nick Beardmore, Cameron Tomerini, Connor Muller and Jack Law will line up for the Northern Kings franchise at the three-day tournament to be staged during the school holidays from September 18-21 in Brisbane.

They will be joined by Magpies young guns Myles Cochrane, who will line up for the Kings in the Under 16s division and Jacob Whitby, who was drafted by the Kings for the Under 14s competition.

Mellifont is a prolific run scorer at the top of the order for the Pioneer Valley Cricket Club in the Mackay Cricket Association; 16 year old Zurvas is a talented leg-spinning all rounder with first grade champions Mackay Magpies and talented quartet of leg spinner Beardmore, off spinner Tomerini, Muller and emerging 14 year old all rounder Law are products of the Brothers Cricket Club.

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Of Inaugural Great Barrier Reef Rays

Former Australian Test cricket captain Tim Paine will lead new franchise the Great Barrier Reef Rays in this year’s Brisbane Premier League 100 Ball competition.

The international keeper, who announced his retirement from first class cricket at the conclusion of Tasmania’s final Sheffield Shield match of the season, was snapped up by the Rays at the recent BPL player auction.

Paine will skipper the inaugural Rays outfit – based in Mackay – during the intense three day competition from August 11 to August 13 in Brisbane.

With a combined 70 Test matches and one day internationals under his belt, Paine’s appearance in the team is an incredible opportunity for regional players to learn and develop their skills from one of the legends of Australian Cricket.

Paine, who played 154 first class matches, will be joined by Melbourne Stars hot shot batsman Nick Larkin, who has linked with the Rays as an inter-state recruit.

Great Barrier Reef Rays joined the competition with the aim of providing more opportunities and access to development for regional players from Central and North Queensland.

Promising 20-year-old Mackay Magpies off spinner Isaac Borg and Northern Suburbs all rounder Lane Kohler were named in the Rays’ 14-man Senior squad.

Great Barrier Reef Rays full team list: Tim Paine (captain); Nick Larkin; Angus Lovell; Blake Maher; Sam Lowry;  Liam Smith; Mitch Doolan; Noah McFadyen; Raveesh Srivastava;  Lane Kohler; Sam Yabsly; Lachlan Holmes; Reece Neyland  and Isaac Borg.

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