The Eastern Swans women’s team held their first pride round against Bakers Creek Tigers at Etwell Park Oval in Bakers Creek on Saturday.

Both teams unveiled their clubs’ first pride guernseys at training the week before after successfully applying for the Toyota Gear Grants.  

The Eastern Swans AFLW 2022 kit was designed by player Sarah Keenan with added input from the queer community.

The kit maintains the Swans’ traditional design with the added representation of the iconic rainbow pride colours, celebrating diversity and inclusion in local AFLW.

“As a team, we’ve always known visibility is part of why Pride Round is so important, but to have our Swans footy supporters, younger members and wider community ask me about the design and meaning really rams it home the power of this round and these jumpers,” said Ms Keenan.

“It’s a massive honour to continue to show our support for the LGBTQIA+ community,” added Eastern Swans President Peter Kiegerl.

The Tigers’ jersey was designed by Jeanne Ronald with input from the team, with jagged rainbow pride colours splashed across the front.

“Our 2022 pride guernsey is about more than Pride Round,” said Ms Ronald.

“This guernsey isn’t just for our team; it’s for our volunteers, our club, our history, our members and the Mackay community.”

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Mackay AFLW clubs Eastern Swans and Bakers Creek Tigers unveiled their first Pride Round guernseys at training last week. Swans (white/red uniform)  - Top left Sarah Keenan, bottom left - Alice Hill. Bakers Creek - top right Zali Ronald, bottom right - Indie Brough.
Photo credit: Mackay Seen

The U14 Mackay Meteorettes finished second at the Basketball Queensland U14 Girls State Championships in Cairns earlier this month.

The Meteorettes had an undefeated run leading into the grand final before going down to Brisbane Club Southern Districts Spartans.

U14 Head Coach Ross Jensen said the team prepared well for the tournament.

“We just led into it and continued on what we’d been doing for the last 6-8 months, just refining it and getting everyone on the same page and then just lots of shooting,” he said.

“They’re a good bunch of kids, everyone got on, everyone played their roles, we were always confident of doing well.”

The Meteorettes showed pure dominance in their pool games, defeating teams from Brisbane, Cairns and Gold Coast before taking on rivals the Townsville Flames for a spot in the grand final, winning the semi 83-42.

“We sort of got better each game as the tournament went on which is always good,” said Mr Jensen.

The dominant run came to an end in the grand final, going down to the Spartans 45-70.

“They tried their best,” said Mr Jensen.

“They probably got caught up in the situation a little bit with the noise and the whole atmosphere but that’s a learning curve for them.”

The one-two punch consisting of Isabel Smith and Maggie Thorburn delivered consistent stand-out performances throughout the tournament and Mr Jensen says everyone in the team did their jobs well.

“They’re a great bunch of kids,” said Mr Jensen.

“They came together and everyone played a role at certain times and that’s what got us through to the final.”

The Meteorettes now qualify for the Basketball Australia U14 Club National Championships being held in Sydney this September.

Mr Jensen says the team will take a short break before preparations start.

“The girls are excited, it’s a great experience for the girls,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to take another group to Nationals a couple of years ago so it’s exciting to go and share the experience with this group as well.”

The U14 Mackay Meteorettes finished 2nd at the Basketball Queensland U14 Girls State Championships in Cairns earlier in the month. Photo: supplied

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Twenty-nine Mackay Contract Bridge players attended the 2022 Bowen Swiss Pairs last weekend, six of whom have only been playing one or two years. Veterans Monica Darley and Geoff Taylor came runner-up in the Open Section, followed closely by Max and Diane Holewa and Alan and Frances Brown.

Maria Setiyawan and Janelle Conroy were runner-up in the B Section.

Sandra Morris and Annie Lynch were winners in Section D.

Many new attending players gained lots of experience. Max and Diane Holewa were winners in the  Bowen Special Walk-in East/West.

Mackay Club Results

Monday 4 July – 5 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Monica Darley / Nancy Martin 1st David Ting / Eric Goodchild

2nd Geoffrey Patterson / Noel Bugeia 2nd Diane Stokes / Eric Kliese

Tuesday 5 July – 3 Table One Winner  

1st Janelle Conroy / Eric Leivesley

2nd Janet Hansen / Diane Morgan

3rd Griffin Bancroft / Faye Wright

Wednesday 6 July – Founders Teams 1 of 3 10 Table Mitchell            Thursday Night 7 July – 3 Table One Winner

1st Terrence Sheedy Team 1st Ken Seaniger / Robert Carless

2nd Debra Goodchild Team 2nd Terrence Sheedy / Griffin Bancroft

3rd Maria Setiyawan Team 3rd Noel Bugeia / Janelle Conroy

4th Monica Darley Team

Friday 8 July – 7 Table Mitchell

N/S E/W

1st Janelle Conroy / Pamela Finger 1st Susan Wright / Geoffrey Patterson

2nd Maria Setiyawan / Christine Nice 2nd Eric Goodchild / Richard Wix

3rd Julie O’Neill / Ann Whitmore 3rd Nancy Martin / Kath Poole

Saturday 9 July – 5 Table One Winner

1st Faye Wright / Christine Nice

2nd Mary Rose Ramsden / Carmel Brown

3rd Janice Scott / Marie McGuire

4th Richard Wix / Geoffrey Patterson

Newbies Geoff Cowan and Sandy Patterson

Sandra Morris and Annie Lynch

Geoff Taylor and Monica Darley

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Mackay motorsport rising star Declan Fraser claimed his first ever Super2 win in Townsville last weekend.

Fraser led from pole to victory in a shortened race at Reid Park, winning the 18-lap thriller to claim a series points lead.

The race started in a dramatic fashion with Saturday winner Tyler Everingham clashing with Matt Payne.

“It was pretty crazy, I got probably one of the worst starts in history but everyone else got a worse one around me, so it made mine look really good,” Fraser laughed.

“We got off the line relatively okay eventually and then it ended up being chaos behind me.

“All I saw in my rear-view mirror was a cloud of dust and I ended up keeping my head down and just kept driving and we ended up getting in front before the safety car came out.”

Being the closest race to Mackay, Fraser claims it as his home race and couldn’t have picked a better race to claim his first win.

“I’ve been trying to get this win for a long time and to do it at my home race, it’s a very cool feeling,” he said.

“I knew a lot of people on the grandstands, especially the last two turns, and after I had the win I was cruising around and could see everyone from Mackay that was there.

“It was a very special moment for me … I had a lot of people come down to my pits and say g’day that were from Mackay so that was very special to me.”

Fraser’s focus now turns to the next round of Super2 in Sandown, Victoria in August before taking on Mount Panorama alongside Craig Lowndes in October.

Mackay’s Declan Fraser has claimed his first Super2 win after a dramatic race in Townsville. Photos supplied

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When Mackay netball legend Kelly Beckingham travelled to Bundaberg as a fresh faced 16-year-old back in 2000 for the inaugural Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball Carnival, little did she realise the influence she would have on the new wave of St Patrick’s College netballers.

The goal shooting whiz underlined her potential during the first-ever QISSN event, producing skillful performances against more seasoned rivals to help guide St Patrick’s to the top division finals series.

Fast forward 12 months and a mature Kelly was representing her school and region at the second annual QISSN Carnival in Rockhampton – inspiring St Patrick’s to a top five ranking in Division One and being named the official Player of the Carnival.

In the ensuing years she carved out an illustrious career as a goal attack in the State League and representative scene and proved a role model to all aspiring netballers in the Mackay Netball Association.

Beckingham rekindled her love of netball when Mercy College and St Patrick’s College recently co-hosted the 2022 QISSN tournament staged in Mackay.

She was a keen spectator at the prestigious five-day event that attracted the best schoolgirl and schoolboy netballers from across Queensland and watched her former schools taste success in their various categories.

Both St Patrick’s and Mercy College were a force to be reckoned with throughout the Carnival with Kelly most impressed by the depth of netball talent bubbling through the local ranks.

“I was so proud of the girls who stood up to be counted against some very strong combinations,” quipped Kelly, who still plays the game at a social level with the DAS club in the Mackay Netball Association.

“The Netball Excellence program at both schools continues to unearth plenty of talent which is a testament of the first class coaching by the likes of Tracey McLeod, Nadine Becker, Dianna Bailey and Christine Newland,” she said.

Just like their pioneering QISSN colleagues of 2000 and 2001, the St Patrick’s Netball Class of 2022 also claimed a top five finish in one of the strongest fields ever assembled.

Despite being drawn against the top two Gold Coast schools in eventual winners Canterbury College and runners up Somerset College and third placed Matthew Flinders Anglican College Sunshine Coast in the virtual “Pool of Death”, the St Patrick’s girls battled like trojans to qualify for the finals.

“Their competitive spirit, silky teamwork and never-say-die attitude was evident from the outset of the tournament and helped the girls achieve their pre-Carnival goal of reaching the last eight,” Kelly revealed.

“It certainly revived memories for myself as they rallied to defeat St Columban's College Caboolture on the final day to clinch fifth spot,” she said.

“When the young Mercy girls came out and won their Grand Final it capped a magic five days for the Mackay community” Kelly added.

By Chris Karas

The first QISSN carnival team uniform for St Patrick’s netball

St Patrick’s College Mackay Netball Class of 2000 that competed in the inaugural Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Netball (QISSN) Carnival in Bundaberg. Pictured standing L-R: Kylie Isbister (coach), Edie Weiss (manager), Jayde Archer, Kelly Park, Janine Bella (captain), Jocelyn Boyd (vice-captain), Bernadette Guthrie (umpire); front Antoniette Ricciardi, April Eva, Jody Smith, Zoe Perry, Amanda Donaldson, Danielle Sells.

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They didn’t come away with the top prize but St Patrick’s College Mackay rugby league mainstays Xavier Kerrisk, Henry Thorpe, Kai Simon and Jaxon Purdue were officially recognised for their sterling efforts at the recent CQUniversity Confraternity Rugby League Shield Carnival.

Having tasted defeat at the hands of Townsville’s mighty Ignatius Park College in the trophy decider, the talented quartet gained solace by earning selection in the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit Team.

It was a deserved honour for the emerging St Patrick’s colts after standout performances for the proud Mackay school throughout the five-day event.

Michael Comerford’s courageous warriors may have stumbled at the final hurdle but the tremendous efforts of boom hooker Kerrisk, lock forward Thorpe, goalkicking centre Simon and clever half Purdue and their high achieving teammates will forever be etched in the memories of local sporting pundits.

All four played key roles in St Patrick’s charge to the Grand Final – proving instrumental in victories over St Peter Claver College Ipswich (34-10); Rockhampton Grammar (20-6); Iona College Wynnum (10-6); St Augustine’s College Cairns (28-0) in a quarter final and The Cathedral College Rockhampton (16-6) in a semifinal before locking horns with the powerful Ignatius Park side.

Mercy College Head of HPE Matthew Paul was named Honorary Coach of the 2022 Confraternity Merit Team in recognition of his 20 years of distinguished service to Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League.

It was a fine achievement by the tireless Paul, who is highly regarded in the Mackay sporting community.

He is a Brothers junior product and former back rower who represented St Patrick’s College in the Confraternity Shield in 1995-96 before linking with the Western Reds Colts and Norths Devils clubs in the ARL and Brisbane Rugby League competitions.

Since returning to Mackay, Paul has given St Patrick’s and Mercy College yeoman service as a coach, manager, trainer and administrator.  

Rising hooker Kerrisk, dynamic centre Simon and playmaker Purdue are contracted to the North Queensland Cowboys while inspirational skipper Henry Thorpe is on an NRL scholarship scheme with the Canberra Raiders.

After an arduous QISSRL Confraternity Shield campaign, the St Patrick’s rugby league team will now pour its energies into the Aaron Payne Cup schoolboys competition.

By Chris Karas

St Patrick's College Mackay rugby league stars Henry Thorpe, Jaxon Purdue, Kai Simon and Xavier Kerrisk were named in the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit team

Mercy College Mackay Head of HPE Matthew Paul (standing far right) was named Honorary Coach of the 2022 Confraternity Rugby League Merit Team. Also pictured are St Patrick's College centre Kai Simon, hooker Xavier Kerrisk, half back Jaxon Purdue and lock forward Henry Thorpe

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In the words of local fitness legend Kay Nyenuh “It didn’t tickle.”

Fresh from running the Gold Coast Marathon the week prior, Kay laced up his shoes along with around 40 other runners to tackle one of the most challenging running and cycling events on the local calendar, the Eungella King and Queen of the Mountain.

The chilly morning saw around 70 competitors rugged up in winter woolies, but once the meandering pace started up the Eungella Range, the layers were quickly discarded. It’s only a distance of 6.4km, but the constant gradient is what makes this challenge iconic.

The cyclists were the first to depart with a 1-minute lead over the runners, but this doesn’t mean all cyclists finished in front of the runners! That’s what makes this race great, some runners can cover the 6.4km faster than some cyclists.

Ethan Weiss was the first cyclist to cross the line in a time of 22.26.27 minutes, only fractions of a second ahead of Brendon Brauer in second place, 22.27.10. Rebecca Baird was the first woman cyclist across the line, in 16th place overall, in a time of 35.42 minutes.

Runners Demi Caldwell and Cristian Smith conquered the mountain once again with Cristian taking the crown for the second year in a row and Demi’s superb performance just eleven seconds outside the female race record of 34.55 minutes set in 1991. Second placed runner Tahnie Malagueno was very pleased with her efforts crossing the line ahead of Glynis Forse and Heli Talinurm. Paul Mackenzie continued his regular podium form by scorching up the summit for second ahead of junior runner, Luke Leven in third and fourth placed Justin Rule.

Lily Leven and Damien Rutland took out the Laura Pettifer/Podiatry Mackay Junior 3.2km King of the Mountain whilst Millie Bishop took home silver. Oliver Rule also took home silver with his younger brother Toby collecting bronze.

Marathon runners Brenda Windsor and Kay Nyenuh both received praise for backing up only a week after completing the Gold Coast Marathon.

Torque Tyre & Trailer Spares Perpetual Trophy winners for the 2022 Eungella King of the Mountain male and female cyclists and runners (left to right) Ethan Weiss, Rebeca Baird, Demi Caldwell and Cristian Smith

Mackay Road Runners Signature Event and Club Championship event, the M-Test Mackay Open female and male winners of the 2022 Eungella King of the Mountain, Demi Caldwell and Cristian Smith

Laura Pettifer Memorial Trophy and Podiatry Mackay Junior 3.2km Eungella King of the Mountain won by (centre) Lily Leven and Damian Rutland with second placed Millie Bishop (left), third placed Toby Rule (right) and second placed Oliver Rule (far right)

Birthday Boy, Arthur Dick (seated) gets a very cool happy birthday at Netherdale’s minimum of 3 degrees at 7am at the start line by Paul Mackenzie, Tahnie Malagueno, Hamish Donnollan, Julie Bishop and Jo Hughes. Photos supplied: Mackay Road Runners

Runners and cyclists embarked on the Eungella King and Queen of the Mountain last weekend. Photo credit: Photos by Nell

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Mackay Basketball celebrated NBL1 First Nations Round last Friday, hosting Southern Districts Spartans at the Crater.

Both the Meteorettes and Meteors players sported unique First Nations Round uniforms inspired by the artwork of Meteorettes player and talented Indigenous artist Charli Bliss.

The Meteorettes tipped off first, hoping to continue a winning streak that saw them win their last five games.

The home side started slowly with the Spartans taking an early lead in the first quarter.

The momentum stayed with the visitors and the Meteorettes struggled to get back in the game, ultimately going down 58-88.

The Meteors then took to the court, also hoping to continue their winning streak of four games by defeating a winless Spartans outfit featuring former Meteors captain Chris Cedar.

The two teams went toe-to-toe in a closely fought battle of basketball that went right down to the final minute.

The visitors led by 10 points with 12 minutes to go and, despite a late comeback from the Meteors, were able to hold on to win 85-86, claiming their first win of the season.

Both teams remain comfortably placed on the ladder, with the Meteors sitting second and the Meteorettes fifth, and will look to return to the winner’s circles against the Northside Wizards at the Crater on Saturday.

Mackay Basketball celebrated the First Nations Round at the Crater last Friday. Photo supplied: Mackay Basketball

Meteorettes player and Indigenous artist Charli Bliss created the artwork that inspired the uniforms. Photo supplied: Mackay Basketball

Shaneice Swain. Photo credit: Keiron Place Art & Photography

Emmanuel Malou. Photo credit: Keiron Place Art & Photography

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Men’s Results

The final of the Senior Singles was played last Saturday morning between Bert Hobbs and Greg McLean. In a close and exciting game Bert came out winner and is the club Senior Singles champion for 2022. He will represent our club at the inter-club Champion of Champions event this year.

In the semi-final of the B grade singles, also played on Saturday, Peter Cowling won his game over John Stronach.

Social bowls results

Monday mixed pairs first draw was won by Carmel Bell and Greg McLean. Second draw winners were Errol Simmons and Ian Rowan. Welcome to the world of retirement Ian. The lucky draw was won by Trevor Laurens and Errol Simmons.

Thursday mixed pairs event winner's draw was taken out by L and B. McDonald. Second draw winners were Bevan Cooper and Darren Addie. The kitty toucher jackpots. Greens vouchers were won by Peter Cowling and B. Hall.

Friday mixed pairs best score was won by Tony Allsop and Val De Pinto who won $75 each. Winner’s lucky draw winners were Lorraine Lemke and Marie Bragg. Losers’ draw was won by Daphne Offield and Alan Brown.

Saturday Men’s Pairs results were not available.

Contributed by Tony Allsop

Ladies Results

Our Club Championship Final was held on Sunday July 3. What an exciting match between Donna Gordon and Debbie Mackenzie. Donna was eventually crowned as winner for this year’s contest. Congratulations go to our winner and valiant runner up. Our B Singles final was also played this week on Wednesday July 6 between Helen Goldston and Lydia McCarthy. Lydia was our eventual winner. Congratulations go to both ladies for a well-played game.

Social Bowls - Wednesday ladies’ day winners were Bev Woodward, Lee Robertson and Isla Comelli. Second place was taken out by Ann Smith, Sue Roscoe and Gloria Sam.

Contributed by Sue Hazledine

Greg McLean (on left) and Bert Hobbs fought out the Senior Singles final which Bert Hobbs won

Peter Cowling won his semi-final B singles game against John Stronach

Club Championships final: Runner-up Deb Mackenzie and winner Donna Gordon2

B Singles final: Runner-up Helen Goldston and winner Lydia McCarthy

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What’s one thing the Mackay region loves more than its beaches?

Racing stuff on its beaches.

The revs could be heard from blocks away as motorbikes sped from one end of Grasstree Beach to the other.

Marketed as the only legal beach races of its kind in Australia, The Motorcycle Beach Races promises a unique and fun day out for the whole family every year, bringing motorsport to a tropical paradise.

The races brought plenty of sand-flying action to Grasstree Beach near Sarina last Saturday, with a huge day of races and entertainment filling the schedule.

Thousands of rev-heads of all ages lined the shore to watch riders from all over the country reach outrageous speeds up and down the beach.

Townsville’s Kayden Downing was crowned King of the Beach for 2022 after a big day of races, winning 250cc 4 stroke, 300cc 2 stroke and 450 class races

Townsville’s Kayden Downing took out his first King of the Beach title. Photo credit: Powerhouse MX Media

Kayden Downing, Josh Grajczonek, Peter Jerkic and Damien Koppe taking on the corner at Grasstree Beach. Photo credit: Dave Lovi Photography

Andrew Mcliesh and Daniel O’Brien went toe to toe in the final street bike, with Mcliesh getting the win. Photo credit: Powerhouse MX Media

Greg Brooks dominated on the quads. Photo credit: Powerhouse MX Media

Brayden Bradford won the first Junior Lites 250m race. Photo credit: Powerhouse MX Media

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Whitsunday Sea Eagles teams tackled Mackay City Hawks and Junior Swarks at Harrup Park on the weekend, wearing black armbands to pay tribute to young Cody Gibbs who lost his battle with cancer this week.

Sea Eagles Under 14s started their game in an inspired fashion setting out to do Cody proud and were able to kick four goals to the Swarks nil whilst kicking into the strong breeze.

The trend continued with Sea Eagles combining to display some of their best football yet this season. Under 14s finished the game strong with a blowout win 67–7.

Sea Eagles Under 17s took on an undermanned Swarks side with the young team taking off to continue their winning streak 60–0.

With opportunity available to change it up through the midfield, Michael Pettiford, Ryan Mansfield, and Mason Andrews successfully combined under the guidance of ever reliable Aidan Allen-Fancke.

Foxx LaMonica played a great game around the ground as did Brodankye Cornwall and Jacob Dewis up forward, both showing how to score and set up goals.

Bailey Wishart showed his ability to play any position successfully stepping into the forward line.

Sea Eagles now look forward to the top of the table clash with the Saints at home this week in the game to watch at 11:40am.

Senior Men took on the Mackay City Hawks where another slow start saw them completely out played in the first half.

Showing more enthusiasm in the second half Sea Eagles prevented the Hawks from scoring a goal, however, were unable to capitalise on opportunities to score themselves losing the game 12 – 42.

Sea Eagles Senior Women were outgunned this week but battled hard all day against a talented Mackay City Hawks side losing 2 – 122.

Sea Eagles Under 12s took on the Swarks playing a phenomenal game and showing improvement against tough opposition eventually losing out 19 – 47.

Sea Eagles play at home this weekend in Pride Round taking on the ever-tough opposition of North Mackay Saints.

Contributed with thanks to Whitsunday Sea Eagles

The Sea Eagles wore black armbands for their games over the weekend as tribute to local boy Cody Gibbs

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It was a dour weekend of results as Whitsunday Brahmans faced off against Mackay Magpies at Les Stagg oval for their NAIDOC Week round on Saturday, taking on the travelling side in three games across three grades.

The Under 20s were the first to fall in a series of three losses at Les Stag, losing out to 12-30 against the Magpies.

Under 20’s coach Trevor Nosworthy said they were “out enthused by a strong Magpies side in the first half.”

“We worked our way back into the game well in the second, but unfortunately weren’t able to turn opportunities into score board points.”

Jack Dwyer was strong through the middle with Jett Hiscox showing great versatility again this week.

The reserve side didn’t fair much better against the Sugar City travellers, losing out 20-46 in a second-half blowout.

Reserve Grade Coach Matt Court said it was much of the same story as the U20s.

“We can’t compete for the full 80mins; we can match it with any team in the comp but we always end up self-destructing and going away from doing the simple one percenters,” he said.

“When we play smart footy we play good footy and put points on with ease.”

He said fatigue was entering the sides game every week, which leads to those silly decisions.

Finally, the A Grade clash was upon the home fans, and it produced the closest of the three matches.

As part of NAIDOC Week celebrations, the A Grade Brahmans pulled on an Indigenous Jersey streaked with red footprints representing those passed on from massacre, and blue circles to represent the Proserpine River and Cedar Creek Falls.

It was designed by local artist, Leo Gabey.

The kangaroo paws in black represent the Proserpine Rock Wallaby, and hands with a boomerang signified hunting of that very same species of marsupial, and six dots across the jersey represented the Gabey family and elders.

All seventeen jerseys were auctioned off after the game.

It was a more tense affair than the previous games, with a final score of 12-26 as Magpies came out the victors three from three.

Brahmans face off against Brothers in Mackay this weekend to reignite their fighting spirit against an old rival.

Brahmans suffered at the hands of three travelling Magpies’ teams last Saturday

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With the weeks counting down, every single point matters as finals rapidly approach.

In mid-week Kameron Reason bolstered his top eight finals chances by beating Lorraine Woods 7/1 to get within a point of Alan Green currently occupying the last finals place in eighth and Aaron Paull in seventh.

Alan Green had a mixed day on Sunday losing his first match to Joe Wilson 7/4, but quickly bounced back beating Gary Robbie 7/5 in a tight, final match of the day.

That win for Joe Wilson over Alan Green keeps him in top spot for another week, and the only player with a 100 per cent record intact.

Elsewhere Jamie Woods suffered his first loss of the season with a 7/4 defeat to Jamie Maher.

Jamie Maher backed that win up with a 7/0 win over Ross Gallichan, which means Jamie Maher leapfrogs Jamie Woods into 2nd place on the ladder.

Another trophy is up for grabs next weekend, as well as valuable league points, with The Players Club Captain on the line for the first time.

The Premier League is proudly sponsored by Mika Airlie and Whitsunday Tattooing, thank you for your support.

As It Stands

1. J Wilson 22pts 2. J Maher 20pts 3. J Woods 18pts 4. A Peel 18pts 5. D Friend 16pts 6. S Rose 11pts 7. A Paull 10pts 8. A Green 10pts 9. K Reason 9pts 10. G Robbie 7pts 11. N O’ Hara 5pts 12. J Lloyd 4pts 13. L Woods 2pts 14. R Gallichan 2pts

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

Jamie Maher who dished out a first defeat of the season to Jamie Woods at Mika on Sunday

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The Proserpine Whitsunday Brahmans U13 Boys team has shown the rest of the region what they’re made of, making it all the way to the grand final of the Nate Myles Cup in Cairns.

It’s the first time a Proserpine Whitsundays Junior Rugby League Club has made it that far in the competition.

The Brahmans took 19 players to Cairns for the tournament over the June 25-26 weekend, ultimately going down in the grand final 8-16 to Townsville club Souths Bulls.

The grand final loss brought the team’s six-match tournament winning streak to an end, with the Brahmans finishing the pool stage on top of the table with 96 points for and only 8 points scored against them.

They then faced Innisfail Brothers in the semi-final, keeping their opponents scoreless and winning 8-0 before going down in the grand final in a competitive contest.

“I’m very proud of them,” said coach Justin Follett.

“Our preparation was good; the boys were focused – they love going to tournaments.”

“Everyone was happy to put their shoulder to the wheel, help their mate out and help the team out.

“We had to play a few kids in different positions, but they stepped up and did the right thing and played for one another.”

29 teams from Rockhampton to Cairns participated in the carnival.

“We matched them,” said Mr Follett.

“From Cairns to Rockhampton and every team in between, we took them on and we did really well.”

Team captain Koby Johnson-Follett used his “footy brain” to direct his team around the park and lead them to the grand final, supported by standout performances from Ashton McDermid, Ryver Court, Riley Snow and Evan Beale.

“I could mention all of them,” said Mr Follett.

“I’m very proud. But I’m proud of everyone involved in the boys’ success; thank you to the support staff and Kim Bates especially.

“She just organised the whole thing, it was awesome.”

This U13 Brahmans Boys are the first ever Whitsunday side to make it to the grand finals of the Nate Myles Cup

The young guns were on an unbeaten run of six matches before the final

Coach Justin Follett said he was proud of his group of little warriors

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This coming Saturday is a special round of footy for a local team, with the home game at Whitsunday Sports Park in AFL Mackay’s Pride Round.

Whitsunday Sea Eagles’ Women’s team will be the feature game of the day as they face off against Mackay Saints, kicking off at 1.15pm on July 16.

In solidarity with the United States’ celebration of Pride Month over the course of June, the local football side will wear special Pride Round guernseys.

Between Captain of Whitsunday Sea Eagles Senior Women’s Team, Georgie Carland, and another player, Sam Todd, sponsorship for the special guernseys was sought and granted by Ray White and Shirtfront Solutions.

“They look absolutely fantastic,” Ms Carland said.

The guernseys are a twist on the regular Sea Eagles kits, with these featuring a rainbow pattern. As a certificate of appreciation, both sets of sponsors were gifted with their own guernseys.

Women’s Captain Georgie Carland said this was an “extremely important round of footy” for the local team; both in terms of competitive spirit, as well as for LGBTQI+.

“Not only does it showcase women’s sport in the Whitsundays but also promotes the importance of LGBTQI+ awareness in our community,” Ms Carland said.

“This round is particularly significant to a number of girls on my team, as well as myself, not to mention the importance to our families and friends.”

The Sea Eagles are inviting locals to come down and support the team as they take it to the Saints tomorrow afternoon in their brand-new kits.

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