An area record that had been standing for 20 years was broken last weekend, at a North Mackay Athletics club day.

The U11 girls high jump record was broken when Ayla Moon set a new centre record with an impressive jump of 1.28m.

The club is gearing up for its annual team challenge, and you don’t even have to be a member of the athletic club to compete.

The team challenge is a non-traditional day of fun, with modified events in track and field, where athletes compete in pairs for a chance to win overall medals.

The fun kicks off from 9am on 31 July at the Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Centre (ARC). Visit North Mackay Athletics on Facebook for more information.

This weekend North Mackay Athletics is hosting its annual team challenge

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Students faced off on the green last Friday as the finals of the Bowls Queensland Secondary Schools Cup took place at Goosies.

Three schools from Mackay and three from Whitsundays were represented by teams of two, with one team from each region to attend state finals in Brisbane in August.

North Mackay Coordinator Ian Beveridge says students showed great commitment to the competition, practicing and competing during school hours and in their own time for months.

“It just shows that bowls does attract the younger generation,” he said.

Skye Duncan and Cleo Mcleod of Mackay Christian College won group one with Corey Stroud and Harry Craig of St Catherine's College coming second.

North Mackay State High School’s Claire O'Loughlin and Drew Lawn were victors in group two, finishing on top of John Barber and Luke Ullrich representing Pioneer State High School.

North Mackay State High beat Mackay Christian College in the finals 10-4.

North Mackay State High will now travel to State Secondary Schools Finals on August 24-25 at Club Pine Rivers in Brisbane along with St Catherine's College from the Whitsundays.

Six schools from Mackay and the Whitsundays took to the green last week for the finals of the Bowls Queensland Secondary Schools Cup. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Ashlee Knight and Lexie Foot guarantee that lawn bowls isn’t an old person’s sport.

“I honestly wouldn’t have thought lawn bowls would be a competitive sport but the more I get into it, the more you see,” said Ashlee.

“I think most people have the view that it’s an old person’s sport but it’s not,” added Lexie.

“The earlier you start with it, the better you can be at it.

“I think we’re both pretty privileged to have picked it up as early as we did.”

Ashlee started playing lawn bowls at age 13 and Lexie at 15 and they have recently been selected to represent Queensland in the under 25 team, taking on New South Wales in Sydney next month.

Both women started playing bowls casually with their families, never expecting their skills to take them this far into the sport.

Now playing regularly at Mackay City Bowls Club where she has previously won A and B grade competitions, Ashlee gets on the green as much as she can, balancing bowls with work and other sport.

She’s previously been selected in Queensland under 18 teams with both tournaments being cancelled due to the pandemic.

“To actually be selected now for the under 25s, I felt really, really good about myself,” she said.

Ashlee’s also had to balance bowls with health issues that took her away from the green for some time, but clearly, it’s barely slowed her down.

“It’s affected me in a way that I can’t play as many games as I wanted to,” she said.

“I had to go away for two months at the start of this year and that pretty much wiped me out of all my games.

“As soon as I got the clearance to come back home, I was out here, straight back to bowls.”

Lexie is a resident bowler at Northern Beaches Bowls Club where just last week she won A grade singles.

“I’m pretty proud of that, it’s generally a pretty big achievement,” she said.

“Last year I did an interview with Bowls Queensland, and they asked, ‘what’s the one thing you want to achieve?’ and that was what I wanted and I did it.”

Their love of bowls started with their families, who they both cite as massive inspirations as well as key individuals at their clubs and in Brisbane.

What brings them back every week is their love of the teamwork and the technicality involved in the sport.

“It’s challenging, every game’s different,” said Lexie.

They both now move on to their next challenge, with training ramping up before travelling to Sydney in August.

“It’s really good, I’m proud to represent Mackay and Northern Beaches,” said Lexie.

“We test ourselves, so we play against each other and sometimes we’ll do drills together,” said Ashlee.

Coming up against old rivals New South Wales, the bowlers say they’re hoping to follow in the Maroons’ footsteps and come away with the win.

“It also puts a bit of added pressure, I guess. We’ve got to back it up,” Lexie laughed.

The excitement of the tournament is heightened by the fact that it will be Ashlee’s first trip to the New South Wales capital.

“I actually can’t wait to fly over Sydney and see the Harbour Bridge,” she laughed.

Queensland take on New South Wales at Taren Point Bowling Club in New South Wales on August 23 and 24.

Ashlee Knight and Lexie Foot have been selected to represent Queensland

Ashlee and Lexie will travel to Sydney for the QLD vs NSW Test Series next month

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Mackay squash dynamo Kayce Hoani-Vincent is a young athlete on a mission.

The 15-year-old Mercy College student dreams of one day representing her country at a Commonwealth Games – and if talent and desire is any guide then the super fit schoolgirl is well on track to compete at the 2026 international showcase in Victoria.

Kayce is the number 1 ranked female squash junior in Queensland and a promising pole vaulter in field athletics – two sports entrenched on the Commonwealth Games events calendar.

“Squash and athletics are in my blood,” says the versatile teenager who first picked up a squash racquet at the age of eight.

“I think it would be the ultimate if I was able to represent Australia in either of those sports at a big meet such as the Commonwealth or Olympic Games.”

In four years’ time, the Victorian towns of Bendigo and Ballarat will host the Squash and Athletics events respectively at the 2026 Commonwealth Games – a schedule that inspires young Kayce to chase her dreams.

Kayce can take a giant step towards realising her sporting goals when she participates at the annual Trans Tasman Schools Squash  Tri Series Challenge in Brisbane next month.

She will line up for her beloved Queensland against the best junior squash players from New South Wales and New Zealand from August 22 at the Daisy Hill Squash & Racquet Club complex.

At the end of the Tri Series, Kayce will spearhead an Australian Junior team comprised of Queensland and NSW players when they square off against the Kiwis in a major international challenge on the squash court.

It has proved an eventful career to date for the schoolgirl sensation, who is a product of Mackay’s Squash 52 club.

Ever since she began turning up courtside to watch her elder brother Kyle play, the dedicated Hoani-Vincent has shown an affinity for the game.

By the age of 10 she was competing in State Junior Championships and soon after was winning Northern Region and Queensland State titles before representing the Maroons at national level.

Kayce has held her number one Queensland ranking since 2019 and puts it down to her arduous training schedule and desire to constantly improve.

She balances her Year 10 studies at Mercy College with three days of intense fitness training that includes speed, endurance and strength work plus honing her racquet skills on court.

When Kayce is not devising game tactics or hitting a squash ball, she can be found working on her high jump or the pole vault on the athletics field.

Mackay squash champion Kayce Hoani-Vincent. Picture supplied

Kayce Hoani-Vincent is also a champion pole-vaulter. Photo credit: ANQ

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Whitsunday Sea Eagles teams celebrated AFL Pride Round at home this week with rainbow colours splashed around the ground playing North Mackay Saints.

Pride Round is designed to provide an inclusive environment for the LGBTIQ+ community by creating awareness and celebrating diversity within community football.

AFL want everyone to feel safe and celebrated within the code and Pride Round brings this to the forefront through conversation and celebration across the country.

Sea Eagles Senior Women’s team were kitted out in Pride Round guernseys this week designed by Shirtfront Solutions with guernsey sponsorship assistance from Ray White Whitsunday.

Sea Eagles hope to expand opportunities in coming years to allow other grades further inclusion.

In what was always going to be a tough game for Sea Eagles Senior Men against the top side, the Saints came out firing and continued their lead throughout the match.

Sea Eagles backline worked hard throughout the match keeping the Saints goalless in the second term, however lost 22–85 in the end.

Although looking every bit the part for Pride Round Sea Eagles Senior Women struggled on the field against an ever-tough Saints side losing 13–63.

A great game to watch the Sea Eagles Under 17s went down 53–63 in a tight match up against North Mackay Saints, proving they are able to mix it with the best at the top of the table with their diversely skilled team.

Sea Eagles Under 14s lost 22–49 against the Saints in rough conditions with Seanna Elies and Chloe Bennett leading the way both kicking goals to keep the team in the game.

Sea Eagles Under 12s took home amazing success for the day against a skilled Saints side winning 22–11 in wet windy conditions. Winning the toss, the young Sea Eagles flew with the wind, working hard together to score and stay with the opposition. With coaching staff all on edge in the final term the young Sea Eagles managed to hold on to take out the win.

Whitsunday Sea Eagles play at home July 23 against Bakers Creek Tigers so come and support Sponsor and Volunteer Appreciation Day with Juniors from 9am, Seniors from 1:15pm.

Contributed by Whitsunday Sea Eagles

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Senior Sea Eagles’ Women’s player Cleo Dickie

Senior Women pulled on a special kit for the AFL Pride Round

Under 12’s player Tyson Fowler

Images: Cody Fowler‍

The Saturday afternoon social tennis group were stoked when they had the chance of winning a special edition tin of tennis balls direct from Wimbledon!

After an afternoon of superb doubles tennis, the draw was made and David was the winner.

Reminder: if you are keen to get back into tennis, come on down on Saturda, July 23 from 11am to 1pm and have a hit of tennis.

All squads were back out and hitting during the week with everyone a little rusty after a two-week school holiday break.

However, towards the end of their sessions, everyone was firing! Well done to Tuesday early squad with Lucas; Tuesday Early Evening with Hayden B; Wednesday 4pm with Fletcher; 5pm with Lachlan; Thursday with Lacey; Brekky with Brax; and Saturday morning Florence!

It is all happening at Tennis Whitsunday, Social tennis, Fit, Fun Tennis, Court hire and Coaching – check out the Facebook page for more.

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman

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Thursday afternoon Pickleball was at its best with three courts of phenomenal rallies. Match of the day was between Frank and Stuart taking on the girls, Sheridan and Kate.

This was a "do or die" match; the girls were true warriors, but word has it the guys were the victors - remember there is always next time, girls!

Robyn and Yoko and Jocelyn and Gerry were in fine form, too.

Saturday morning a little bit of rain was not going to stop Pickleball - No Way. Hardy souls - Robyn, Kaz, Stuart, Kate and Frank, danced in and out of the raindrops for a memorable morning of Pickleball.

Would you like to give Pickleball a go? Come on down on Saturday, July 23 from 11am to 1pm and have a crack at this exciting game. We will supply the equipment if you supply the fun.

To finish, here are two whacky pickleball facts: Pickleball has no dress code (within reason); and Pickleball addicts are called "Picklers".

Till next week Paddles Up - 4pm Thursday Afternoon and Saturday Morning 8am

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman

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Airlie Beach was host to a rapid weekend as over 460 runners took part in the Tassal Group Airlie Beach Marathon Festival in distances from the colossal 42.2km marathon down to the 1km Kids Run.

The Airlie Beach Sound Stage was the centre of the action, jam-packed with racegoers and spectators, and crammed full of fun and excitement for the two day’s festivities.

The weekend began with the Magic Mile – a hotly contested event of racing on Saturday.

At 6.00am the next day, the toughest of competitors lined up ready for the Airlie Beach Marathon, testing their mettle at the foreshore with their own incredible goals in mind.

The competitors shot off, followed by the half marathon, half marathon relay, 10km fun run, 5km fun run and 5km team challenge.

Winners were grinners as they crossed the finish line at the Airlie Sound Stage, with some familiar faces on the podium.

Justin Gibbs claimed the Open Male Marathon distance with an impressive 3:04:43 seconds, while Lienca Nell took home the top spot in the Women’s Open at a time of 3:43:01.

The Half Marathon’s fastest finishers were Camron Dixon for the Men with a time of 1:18:44, while Emma Hogan claimed the Women’s with a 1:26:28.

It was another successful Marathon Festival under the belt for the Airlie Beach Running Club, especially for the kids who enjoyed their 1km run across the foreshore.

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Airlie was alive with hundreds of runners taking on their distances of choice last weekend

The hugely successful festival coincided with the arrival of a cruise ship, meaning the market stalls dotting the foreshore were busier than ever

Some more than respectable marathon times were clocked in by a string of first-time winners

On Saturday over 100 players took part in the Scramble.

The winners on the day were Izaac Vandenberg, Trish and Ross McNeill, and Nathan Sothmann.

Tuesday’s stableford was won by Brian Smith with 36 points from Heather Luvis, 34, Tim McBride 32 and Peter Lewis 30 on a count back. The pins went to Albert Pini and John Grosskreutz.

On Wednesday the ladies played for Tina Badenhorst’s prizes.

The A grade winners were Leanne Alexander with nett 69, from Tina Badenhorst, 73 on a count back. The B grade was won by Pauline Redpath with 72, from Jacquie Wall on 74.

In the run down were Diane Chards, Elspeth Scotford, Viv Demartini, Lyn Muller and Anna Winterbourn.

Thursday’s Stableford division one winners were Allen Roberts with 38 points on a count back from new member Jacob Nightingale.

The division two winners were Trevor Paroz, 35, from John Wallace 32 on a count back.

In the run down were Roger Vandenberg, 37, Wayne Temby 36, Simon Della Santa and Michael Cragg, 35, Karl Kirkwood 33, Trish McNeill, Bill Woods and Peter Lewis all on 32 completed the rundown.

The pin shots went to Simon Della Santa, John Grosskreutz, Bill Woods and Trish McNeill. Five shared the two-shot pool.

On Sunday the men’s winners were Theunis Venter with 37 points on a countback from Brent Daniels, with Mark McDougal in third place with 36.

The ladies’ winners were Jacqui Wall, 28, on a count back from Tiina Randmae, in third place was Joanne Moynihan, 26.

The place getters were Darren Reynolds, Brian Allen and Cooper Cremor.

The pin shots went to Jason Whitney and Jackie Rayworth on two, who also had hole nine with Peter Fox. Brian Allen took out 13, and Jason Bourke was the only two-shot winner.

Next Saturday will be a single stableford, followed by the Proserpine Open the following weekend.

Contributed with thanks to Peter Lewis

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Wednesday’s competition was a Single stroke event for the July Midweek monthly medals.  

Ladies’ winner on a countback Elona Lynch 70 nett, runner up Lisa Raisbeck 70 nett, while Men’s winner was Glyn Blackbourn 63 nett, runner up Clifford Querro 68 nett.

Saturday’s competition was the Ladies’ and Men’s 27-hole foursomes championships sponsored by Hayman Electrical.  

Men’s winners Adam McGrath and Paul Martin, runners-up Owen Land and Douglas Power.  Nett winners Liam Hillery and Matthew Trenow, runners-up Perry Davis and Clifford Querro.  

Pin shots to Jeff Day and Allan Cooper, Paul Martin, Tim Miller, and Ray Sellen won the Car wash voucher.  

Ladies’ winners Robyn Slade and Claire Garrod, runners-up Penny Stewart and Leanne Swan.  

Nett winners Jo Kukura and Joy Hose, runners-up Elona Lynch & Morag Parker.  Both pin shots were won by Robyn Slade and Claire Garrod.  

This weekend’s competition is a single Stableford event sponsored by Sporte Leisure.

Don’t forget to check the clubs Facebook page for this week’s dinner menu.  Takeaways still available.  Please call the club on 4785 1206 if you wish to book a table or place a takeaway order.  Joker draw is $3400 this week.

Good luck to the B Grade ladies’ pennant team playing in Home Hill this weekend.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

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Gross winners foursomes

Social bowls on Wednesday was enjoyed by 12 players at Proserpine Bowls Club, with this time of the year always host to interstate visitors escaping the chills of winter.

Carol Smith, Mike Harrison and Bob Preston defeated Mary Hedgelong, Philip Brown and Garry Alexander 21-19; Tom Jessop, Nev Smith and Peter Lawton defeated Arthur Griffith, Lino Micallef and Jim Quod 33-12.

Sunday was host to some close games, with Mike Harrison and Garry Alexander defeating Philip Brown and Lino Micallef 21-16; John Lahney, and Kendall Watts and Bob Preston defeating Warren Wilson, Ken Watts and Barry Zillmann 20-19.

Tom Jessop, Arthur Griffith and Peter Lawton defeated John Anderson, Jim Quod and Heather Brown 21-20, as well.

The club extended best wishes to its Fours Team who will be playing in the Champion of Champion Fours at Souths Suburban next weekend.  

The team of Warren Wilson, Martin Corr, Jonathan Bye and Wayne Handley will represent in the event.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

Another wonderful week, even though it was unusually cold, the bowls at Airlie Beach Bowls Club certainly made it hot.

Starting on Tuesday afternoon’s match of the day: Darryl Boldock, Robin Brown at lead, and Henny Tattam overwhelmed Rhonda Lloyd, Ron Smith, and John Brown.

Wednesday hosted 32 bowlers competing for the prize, with Tony Whitehorn and Cheryl Warner runaway winners on the day.

Saturday morning saw the second round of Scroungers commence, with first round winners Tony Kelly, Mark Mawson, Peter Barratt, and Warren Mills.

The final was played between Warren Mills and Mark Mawson, with Mills winning on the last bowl by one point.

Saturday afternoon became the scene of an Australian origin game, with South Australia versing Queensland with a state versus State and mate versus mate attitude, with two teams of eight players per team changing after 10 ends.

Skipper Al Detry from Goolwa, South Australia ensured his team would take home the chocolates, comfortably winning both games.

Special mention to South Australian rep Jodie Pinder, Bob Ward and Graham Cowling.

Sunday afternoon the club welcomed 29 players vying for the winner’s prize, with Rod Howard steering his team to a comprehensive win with lead Maureen Barnard and Tony Kelly overcoming all other teams.

Two schools have their players finalised with only Proserpine High school to choose their team, the program has been an enormous success.

Good bowling to all with everyone welcome to participate in Business House Bowls commencing 20th July.

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Goolwa and Airlie Beach teams: Bob Spees, Tony Whitehorn, Betty Whitehorn, Jeannie Detry, Russell Jackson, Peter Hallion, Jodie Pinder, Bob Ward, Helen Ward, Graham Cowling, Frank Gifford, Nik Fernbach, Ladda Purdie, Di Jackson, Mark Mawson and Al Detry

Another epic day at Mika on Sunday with the clubs inaugural Players Club Captain.

With round one still offering up some valuable Premier League points, advancing players from round one were given an opportunity to contest for The Players Club Captain trophy at the end of the days play to become the clubs first captain.

Round one began with a 7/1 victory for Jamie Maher over Nathan O’Hara, Jamie Woods had the same 7/1 scoreline over Seumas Rose, so too did Aaron Paull over Jayden Lloyd.

Ross Gallichan and Alan Green played out a 6/6 draw with both players earning a Premier League point apiece, but Ross won the sudden death leg to advance to the quarter finals.

Kameron Reason defeated Gary Robbie 7/4 and Andy Peel was victorious over Lorraine Woods 7/2.

Seumas Rose made up the last 8 as the best looser after round 1 to advance to the quarter finals.

Quarter finals saw wins for Jamie Maher 4/2 over Joe Wilson who had a bye in round 1, Jamie Woods 4/0 over Ross Gallichan, Kameron Reason 4/2 over Andy Peel and Seumas Rose 4/2 over Aaron Paull.

Semi-finals saw Jamie Woods just shade Jamie Maher 4/3 in another tense battle between the pair, and Seumas Rose won 4/2 over Kameron Reason.

To finish off the day’s play, Jamie Woods won the final 4/1 over Seumas Rose.

Jamie is now the current holder of all six of the club house titles, and becomes the clubs first ever Club Captain. Hats off to the man, it’s very well deserved.

The Premier League is proudly sponsored by Mika Airlie Beach and Whitsunday Tattooing.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

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JamieWoods with more silverware for the trophy cabinet

The mama Africa Raiders had their first home game with round three last Saturday, after a last-minute change of kick off time brought it forward to 12.30pm.

The last time the two teams met it was a very close, hard fought draw at Slade Point’s home ground, and this game lived up to expectation.

The Mama Africa Raiders didn’t start the game well and were a little bit out of sorts, not completing their phases and ball security was giving Slade point a bit more possession than they should have had.

Strong defence was the leveller during the first 40 minutes and the score was a close 10–8 to the Raiders.

Coach Andre Houston gave a rousing half time speech to the players and reminded them of our game plan.

The speech, as well as a Slade point try in the first three minutes of the second half, seemed to get the Raiders minds back on the job at hand as five minutes later the homes side’s replacement prop, Jessie Reichelt, went over for a 5 pointer converted by Niall Clancy.

That brought the score to 17-15 and the next 10 minutes of play saw the Mama Africa Raiders put on another two tries and a conversion to lead 29-15.

Slade Point were not going to give up the fight, but ultimately the Raiders managed to put on another converted try to finish the game 36-15 victors.

Following the A grade game at 2.30pm was a senior women’s 7-a-side game between the Raiders and Slade Point - a huge milestone in the growth of Regional Rugby for the area.

There has not been a senior women’s rugby team since 1998.

It was great to see Mother and Daughter combinations of Jasmin, Shakaya, and Deakoda Costello as well as Jade Krystle and Bella Cain as the Raiders women ran out winners 26-0

The next home game for the Mama Africa Raiders and Senior women’s is Saturday 30th July, starting at 2.30pm.

Player of the Day for the Men were, Connor Spence 1pt, Kainoa Close-houston 2pts and Ethan Hoffmann 3pts.

For the women, Madison Spruce 1pt, Caitlyn Daly 2pts and Deakoda Costello 3pts.

Contributed with thanks to Craig Spence

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The Costello family linked up in the region’s first official women’s 7-a-side matches since 1998

In a mighty top of the table clash, the U14 Div1 side suffered their first loss of the season against Lions Green – a team full of representative players.

The Whitsunday side held their own from the opening whistle and showed that they could match it with the best.

Coach Brett O'Keefe was disappointed with a few decisions by the ref but was proud of the way the team worked together. Kai Draper was Man of the Match with a tireless effort in midfield, driving forward and creating many opportunities.

The U16 Prems' were back in the winner's circle with a scrappy, hard fought win against Country FC. Goals to Jazz Knezevic and Zane Hill saw them go in at half time 2-1 – enough to secure them the victory.

The Women had two tough opponents in Wanderers and Country. The Div1 side faced the top of the table Wanderers side who were at full strength and determined to reverse the 4-1 defeat inflicted by Whitsunday the week before. Wanderers came out firing and scored 4 goals in the first half, despite Robyn Dean’s outstanding performance in goals.

The Premier women had a nail-biting tussle with Country FC, leading 2-0 before Country came back leaving the score in the dying minutes 3-3. Sari Goodall scored her second goal to secure the win for the side. The win almost guarantees the side a place in the finals.

The Senior men continued their good form against Wanderers with the Reserves fighting out a draw 2-2 against their third placed opponents. Laith Beattie and James Vodicka scored the goals and the result puts the side in contention for the finals series.

The Premier Men's said ran riot against the home side running in 7 goals to 3. Harry Hodgen scored yet another hat trick in a sensational return season. Ben Smith adding two goals, with Scott Ferries and Jimmy McEvoy-Bowe adding the extras. The win ensures the side will be playing for the championship come September.

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