The March Monthly shoot saw forty shooters competing at the 100 Target Day in excellent conditions.

Shooters from Townsville, Burdekin, and Mackay and Sarina joined our local club for a great day of competition.

Congratulations to the Winners AA: 1st J Rossato 156/157, 2nd A Zarb 155/157; A: 1st T Robinson 103/107, 2nd D Stitt 102/107; B: 1st A Lord 97/100, 2nd D Rossato 94/100; C: 1st B Bonanno 88/100, 2nd D Hearn 86/100.  

Lui Populin kindly donated and presented a prize to the youngest shooter on the day, which was Riley Zarb.

The club extended a thank you to its sponsors S&W Crane Hire and Whitsunday Regional Council and to everyone who helped out before, during and after the shoot.

The next competition day will be Sunday, 24 April.

Contributed with thanks to Cheryl Edgerton

100T Day Back L-R 1st J Rossato, T Robinson, A Lord, B Bonanno Front L-R 2nd A Zarb, D Stitt, D Rossato, D Hearn

Lui Populin presenting Riley Zarb with youngest shooter of the day award

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With Easter just round the corner, a tradition that has been in place for many years took place at Tennis Whitsundays: The Soft Hand Drill.

The catching and throwing of raw eggs with much laughter and five dozen broken eggshells.

The pair who threw and caught the eggs over the longest distance were the girls, Anerize and Zoe on Tuesday afternoon.

Friday morning the boys and Junior Coach Indi of the Brekky group fumbled the egg the most but had the most fun.

Hayden Bradley, a young player from the club finished runner up at the JDS Div 8 in Ayr over the week as well.

Tuesday night social tennis had Norm, Kenny Val, and Tan out on court playing upbeat tennis.

Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon squads were put through their paces before a quick game of community.

Thursday afternoon squad saw Indi and Lacey played Hayden and Lucas in a very competitive game of double bounce, and the boys came out winners on the day.

The club’s Holiday Camp begins Tuesday 9am -12.30pm, with coaches Jenny and Jamie available for coaching over the holidays.

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman

Cool School Captain Jasper who turned up to his tennis lesson wearing his debonair Easter hat

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This week the Friday 9-hole stableford was won by Glenn Rees in a not-so-easy win with three players all coming in on 22 points.

The placements for all were determined by count back, with Clint Paull second and Chris Bartlett third.

The Saturday 18-hole competitions have now been moved to Sunday with many being a 10am tee off, visit the website for a current calendar of competition events.

This Sunday the winner was Justyn Durbin on 40 points followed by Glenn Scott on 38 and Chris Bartlett on 37.

Chris was also successful in making it through to the Match Play final as well as a nearest the pin - Justyn also had a nearest the pin win.

A new competition has also been added to the calendar ensuring mid-week players also can win.

The kids coaching clinic also started this week, Mondays 4-5pm.

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross

Jack Hayes-Williams

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Proserpine Veterans Golf’s Two Ball Invitation Ambrose was a great success with 26 players taking part.  

The club thanked all our guests for coming along, having a go and enjoying the experience.  

The winners on the day were Patrick Patterson and Moya Bradley (Nett 60), second were Ken Granger and Vic Feldman (68.75).

Nearest the pins for the ladies were Mandy Patterson and Sue Franks(2nd), Leanne Alexander and Vickie Wallace (7th) and Pam Harrison and Anna Winterbourn (16th), and for the men Wilf Herwig (2nd), Peter Fox (7th) and Ken  Granger and Vic Feldman (16th).  

Chip Ins went to Peter Browning and Beryl Nosworthy, Neil Crawthorne and Peter Gonder, Leanne Alexander and Vickie Wallace, Patrick Patterson and Moya Bradley and Wayne Temby and Pamela Casey.  

Thanks to Pro shop staff for their support for the day and our lovely ladies for the food.

Tuesday hosted the clubs April Monthly Medal.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

Ambrose winners Moya Bradley and Patrick Patterson

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Wednesday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club for men and ladies.  

Men’s winner with a great score of 42 points was  Walter Maguire, runner up Ernie Parker 39 points. Ladies’ winner Lynelle Riley 38 points, runner up on a countback Morag Parker 36pts.

Split round for the April Monthly medals sponsored by Bowen Meat Supply and Bowen Golf Club.  

Men’s monthly medal winner on Saturday: Rodney Miller 67 nett, runner up on a countback, Paul Martin 68 nett.  

Ladies monthly medal winner on Sunday: Janice Bates 65 nett, runner up Leanne Swan 68 nett.  Pin shots to Claire Garrod, Kanittha Day, Viv Clarke, Kim Bennion.  

This weekend is a 4BBB Medley for the Easter Turkeys sponsored by Whitsunday Food Services.  

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

Ladies April MM winner

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The Cannons had a very successful weekend in Mackay at the North Queensland Championships, taking out top points to win Champion Club.  

Congratulations to Age Champions: Jacob Bell, Jy Parkinson, Ella Harland, and Oli Bond, as well as Andrew Bell who was awarded North Queensland Official of the season.  

The swimmers and the coaches thoroughly enjoyed the weekend of racing and relays, with special mention to the boys who won gold medals in the 12-, 14-, and 16-year relays.  

Well done to the 10-year male relay team which won silver medals. But not to be out done, the female 14-year relay team also won gold.  

Highlights include Tiana Bell winning her 200 metre Breaststroke in 3.40.15, and Lilli Bond swam a fantastic 800 metre Freestyle in 11.14.09 claiming a bronze medal.

Jax Clayworth swam an excellent 50 metre Butterfly in 42.65 which was a 9.02 second personal best, while one of Tora Delac’s best swims was her 100 metre Breaststroke in 1.42.55 for the silver medal.

Don Algie, Declan Dichiera, Ruby Harland, Nathan Saunders, Lukas Trevaskis, and Isabella Pisaniello performed extremely well in all their races, achieving personal bests.

Declan’s best swim was his 50 metre Butterfly which he swam a massive 21.8sec personal best, and Austin Edwards-Bland won all his freestyle events.

Remy Hedges, Lochlan Jamieson, Holly Perrin, Taj Murray, and Ehsan Helou swam very well earning top placings in all their races.

Anisa Helou, Addie Sanders, Indi Smith, Charlotte Trevaskis, and Nelson Malady all swam impressive Freestyle and Breaststroke times.

Charlie Doherty and Daniel Saunders swam extremely well in their 100 metre Freestyle, while Mason Harland and Isaac Pisaniello were very excited about winning a bronze medal in one of their relays.

Harris Delac, only 8 years old, did a great job stepping up into a position in the 8 – 12 year male relay team.  

Congratulations to all the Cannons on their outstanding performances over the weekend, with a big thank you to the coaches, Mark and Kenny and to all the wonderful parents.

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

The Cannons Female Relay team

The Male Cannons Relay team

Jacob Bell and Jy Parkinson age champions at NQ

Cannons NQ team

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This week marks the 11th anniversary of parkrun in Australia, and Airlie Beach Parkrun hosted 57 runners, joggers, and walkers for their 5km waterfront course.

This week there were nine first timers, and four participants recorded new personal bests - well done to Nyrie, Priscilla, Molly, and Brad!

The event was made possible by 15 wonderful volunteers: Tim Oberg, Nick Beecroft, Timothy McQuoid-Mason (photographer), Kara Olver, Daniel Braddock, Sebastian Vinci, Nathalie Blomme, Heather Carr (run director), Christopher Harvey, James Henry, Liv Beate Compton, Laura Oates, Lynne Oates, Dennis Mundle and Caitlin James. Without volunteers, parkrun doesn’t happen, so their efforts are very appreciated.

Several volunteers are needed for this weekend, with the roles super-easy and well supported. If you are available for 90 minutes on Saturday morning, please contact airliebeach@parkrun.com.

Airlie Beach parkrun started on 5th December 2015. Since then, 3,694 participants have completed 20,200 parkruns covering a total distance of 101,000 km, including 2,383 new Personal Bests. A total of 321 individuals have volunteered 2,733 times.

Every Saturday Airlie Beach parkrun meets at 6:50am for a briefing at area D, Coral Sea Marina (adjacent to the top carpark). Parking is free in the lower carpark till 9:30am if a parkrun barcode is placed on the dashboard.

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.

The full results and a complete event history can be found at https://www.parkrun.com.au/airliebeach/results/latestresults/

Further photos and details about registering can be found on the Airlie Beach parkrun facebook page.

Contributed with thanks to Airlie Beach parkrun

The team of tailwalkers Caitlin, Laura & Lynne

parkrun doesn't happen without wonderful volunteers

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The first senior league game in almost 30 years played out on Sunday at Denison Park between the Bowen Seagulls and the 2021 Premiers Townsville Brothers.  

The crowd streamed through the gates eagerly awaiting the return of Senior Rugby League.

The day kicked off with Seagulls Under 8 and 9s playing red versus white as a curtain raiser for the main game.

After a brief history of Senior League in Bowen written by Tony Price was read out the crowd, the boys ran ou, supported by the club mascot Chip the Seagull and the Junior Players.

Rainer Power claimed the bragging rights as the first ever try scorer for the senior seagulls scoring in the first three minutes. Josh Laurie was strong on the boot converting all three of his attempts.

Brothers inched ahead of the Seagulls before half time and came out strong in the second.  The Seagulls hung on but in the end Brothers team were too strong, defeating the Seagulls 32 to 18.

Coach Lona was impressed with the boys first hit out said he was “happy with the effort and that the boys turned up for each other.”

The club and players were humbled by the support of the community in getting the team back on the park.

“I am proud of the efforts of the boys and overwhelmed with the support of the community,” Club President Darren Piggott said

“For Rainer go over for the first try in a Senior League competition since 1994 was really special to witness.”

Seagulls will be back at home this Saturday where they take on the Norths Devils at 3.30 PM

Player points: 3 Billy Bauer, 2 Jackson Dyne, 1 Aden Ferguson.

Contributed with thanks to Kelly Telford

The Seagulls alongside the Townsville Brothers

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The District Pairs Semi-Finals were played Wednesday morning a fortnight ago between Jean Schmidtke and Carmel Bell (North Mackay) versus Lorraine Lemke and Lorraine Silman (North Mackay)

The other semi consisted of players Betty Nicolle and Margo Stanley (Airlie Beach) versus Val DePinto and Lorna Bowers (North Mackay).

Both of these games were wonderful to watch, with the eventual winners to go into the final on Wednesday afternoon. The semi-final winners were both North Mackay teams, with Lorraine and Lorraine to play Val and Lorna in the final.

After a quick bite of lunch the ladies started playing at 1pm, in a game that onlookers described as ‘epic’.

They played end-for-end in a skillful and entertaining game of bowls.

17 ALL was the score at the end of 21 ends, so a deciding end had to be played. With a final game score of 18-17, Val DePinto and Lorna Bowers were named Mackay District Pairs Champions. The game finished at 5.20 pm and the ladies were exhausted.

“Congratulations to our super winners, and to our amazing runners up Lorraine and Lorraine in a game played in such great camaraderie,” Suzanne Hazledine from North Mackay Bowls Club said.

“It was lovely to see such a super crowd who stayed to watch till the very end.”

Social Results - Wednesday 30 March

Winners: M. Stockton, L. Baumgarten, A. Bailey. Runners up: J. Moran, F. Lehmann, S. Cutress.

An all-Mackay North competition for the final of the Mackay District Ladies Pairs championship. Lorraine Lemke, Lorraine Silman, Val DePinto and Lorna Bowers

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Super Saturday saw a plethora of grand finals take place at the Mackay Multisport Stadium a fortnight ago. Last week we published the results from ages 10 to 14, this week’s champions range from 16 years to A-grade.

RESULTS

Seniors Division 1 ‘A-Grade’ Grand Final

𝘔𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 1 - 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 80 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘏𝘰𝘰𝘱 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 79

𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 1 - 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 46 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 36

Division 2

𝘔𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 2 - 𝘉𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘵 𝘉𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴 59 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴 52

𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 2 - 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 51 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦

𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 3

Men’s 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘴 52 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘉𝘰𝘣𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘴 38

𝘞𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯'𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 3 - 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 33 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘨-𝘐𝘯𝘴 (𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰) 22

𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 20 𝘉𝘰𝘺𝘴

𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 1 - 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘚𝘯𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘴 68 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘴

𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 18 𝘉𝘰𝘺𝘴

𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 1 - 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 62 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 48

𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 2 - 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 38 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘥 30

𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 16

𝘉𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 1 - 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 55 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 33

𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 16 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 1 - 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘢𝘺 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘦 28 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘉𝘰𝘣𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘴 40

𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 16 𝘉𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 2 - 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘚𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘴 36 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘙𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘎𝘰𝘭𝘥 30

𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 16 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 2 - 𝘉𝘰𝘣𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘴 42 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘉𝘰𝘣𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘙𝘦𝘥 23

𝘜𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 16 𝘉𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 3 - 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 52 𝘥𝘦𝘧 𝘚𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘴 𝘏𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴 42

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West Mackay’s Johnson Street was taken over by a crowd of nearly 60 runners and supporters turning out for the annual running of the Tilse Toddle on Sunday afternoon.

Despite overcast Sunday afternoon conditions, runners felt the heat as they completed their respective distances.

The course, set up by Andrew Short, was an out and back path, with 5km runners turning around at the 2.5km turnaround point and 10km runners repeating the process.

Angus Jacobs and Rodney Elworthy led the pack for most of the 10km race with junior runner Damien Rutland hot on their tails the entire distance.

Angus eventually won the men’s 10km, with Damien surging late to take second spot and Rodney third.

Tahnee Malagueno ran a slick 10km race to take the gold medal in the women’s, with Glynis Forse taking silver backing up from a mammoth 50km effort the weekend before.

Lily Leven backed up her personal best park run the day before by taking out first place in the 5km followed closely by Carolyn Mapes and Millie Bishop.

New runners Cameron Wallace in the 5km and Emily Smyth in the 10km both had excellent runs in their respective distances.

Excellent performances were also on display from Joe Grech, Paul Mackenzie, Michael Scholer, Michal Feenaghty, George Hannaford, Tim Caddy, Heli Talinurm, Derek Woods, Nick Rewald, Charlie Bone, Kim Saron, Jo Hughes, David Isbister, Merv Shields, Judy Zahn, Brenda Windsor, Carol Brown, Carmel Mahon,  Luke Leven, Colin Hardy, Stuart Sprott, and Jan Smith.

Many local runners, including club president Tim Magoffin, were absent as they participated in the Goondiwindi Hell of the West Triathlon.

Congratulations to all local competitors, including Cristian Smith who clocked an impressive 3 hrs 59 mins 37 seconds for the half ironman distance.

This Sunday will see Road Runners take on Tim’s Chariots of Fire 5km and 10km event.

While the course may be testing, the views over Slade Point and Lamberts Beach make it one of the more scenic routes.

The event will commence at 6.30am from 16 Ocean Avenue, Slade Point.

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Jaguar ran out winnersin the first division final of Mackay Table Tennis Tuesday night fixtures lastweek.

The Jaguar team ofSteven Whiting, Anne Sheridan and Lee Brake beat the Audi combination of AndrewMcHugh, Duncan Treloar and Janice Kent 6-4.

Andrew led the Audiwith a strong win over Steven, but Jaguar then reeled off four wins insuccession to take control of the final.

Lee’s five-game winover Janice (5, -11, 7, -6, 8) was pivotal, and wins by Anne and Steven overDuncan and a doubles win by Anne/Steve over Andrew/Duncan put them in the boxseat.

Anne and Stevenfinished off the win with tight victories over Janice.

The second divisionfinal went to Fiat (Delma Knight, Andrea Nicholson and Duncan Sheridan) overNissan (Stirling Bowater, George Camilleri and Val Austin) as both Stirling andVal were ill and unable to play.

However, Coral Morganand Tiffany Camilleri stepped in to make up a scratch team with George, and theresult was a series of tight games.

The competition nowbreaks for the school holidays and will resume after the break.

By Charlie Payne

Division 1 winners Jaguar (Lee Brake, Anne Sheridan, Steven Whiting)

Division 2 winners Fiat (Delma Knight, Duncan Sheridan, Andrea Nicholson

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Men’s club championships are well under way, with the finals of the fours played last Saturday. This resulted in Ray McCarthy, John Stronach, Peter Miller and Doug Dungavell defeating Ian McDonald, Ron Bowers, Greg McLean and Bert Hobbs to win the fours for 2022.

There are interesting tussles coming up in the draw, so head to the club on the weekend to see great bowls played.

The annual “Tony’s Triples” fun day nominations for men and ladies closes on Sunday 17th April for play on 19th April. Nomination sheets are on both the ladies and men’s competition boards.

Social Results

Monday mixed pairs winners were Ann and Don Peet followed by Phil French and C. Hammbling. The lucky draws were won by Greg McLean and Peter Crawford.

Thursday mixed pairs was won by Barry Lehmann and Jan Little with Mick Walsh and Peter Delaney in second spot. Elaine Buckton won the Kitty toucher of $170 with the perfect bowl, resting on the kitty. Helen Goldston won the raffle.

Friday mixed pairs was taken out by Isla Comelli and Lois Deguara with the consistent Rob Evans and Peter Horsburgh winning the lucky draw from the winning teams. Runners up draw was won by Laura and Marshall Howland.

Saturday men’s pairs winners were Peter Delaney and Vic Gaudion with second place taken out by Tony Allsop and Maurie Pearson.

Contributed by Tony Allsop

Club Vice President, Wayne Trannore concentrates on his bowl

Brenda Trannore shows her style

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North Mackay Athletics (NMA) Club has had a super start to the year for its 2022 season which started in February.

The first event off the block was their annual free come try day for family and friends of all ages to have a go at throwing, jumping and running events.

The North Mackay Athletics Club committee have some innovative ideas for the season and are looking forward to sharing it with the club members - who have already started receiving awards for breaking their personal bests.

North Mackay Athletics focus on fun, family and fitness means the club has continued to support and encourage children and adults from all ages and abilities to give athletics a go.

Additionally, NMA is boasting some incredibly talented athletes this season who have worked hard on their craft to become fierce competitors and represent the Mackay community in many external events outside of the club days.

The club has proudly congratulated some of its members who attended and competed in recent State Championships both for Little Athletics QLD (LAQ) and Athletics North QLD (ANQ).

Toby Rule was one such competitor, ending his LAQ State Champs outing with the gold medal in U15yrs 1500 metre, and Hayley Colless who brought home medals at both state events placing  2nd (ANQ) and 3rd (LAQ) in 80 metre hurdles.

If you are aged between 3yrs - 103+yrs and would like to give Athletics a go, NMA offers two $5 trials per athlete at any of their club days held on Sunday's at Pioneer High School (Russell St entry) at 8:45am.

For more info 'like' North Mackay Athletics on facebook or visit www.northmackayathletics.com.au

This article was contributed by Kayla Porter of North Mackay Athletics Club

Hayley Colless hurdling

Toby Rule at the start of one of his LAQ State Championship races

Club awards have already been handed out to fledgling athletes this season

Hayley and Toby at the LAQ State Championships

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What started out as a part of footy training has turned into an obsession, a state title, and national records for a Mackay school student.

Ryan Chatteris, a year 11 student at Whitsunday Anglican School, has taken out the Queensland State Titles in powerlifting and set four new national records in the process.

Ryan started going to the gym and lifting weights to get bigger for footy.

Powerlifting then came when he realised he was good at lifting heavy things.

He enjoys the body building style of training and has since foregone football.

“I kind of just followed this,” he said.

Ryan met Kahn Stephenson at Zero Weakness Mackay who guided him on his journey and continues to coach him today.

Ryan started entering federation-sanctioned competitions with stricter guidelines, which led him to States and now Nationals on the Gold Coast in June.

Powerlifting consists of three maximal effort lifts: a squat, a bench press, and a deadlift which all combine to a total score.

At the recent Queensland State Titles, Ryan broke records in all three, smashing the total record in the process.

While scores are based on the weight you lift, technique is vital as well.

Ryan says training is key to his success, starting off with building foundational strength and eventually dialling it back to one rep at a time, replicating the specific lifts he is going to attempt in competition.

“Power lifting’s a sport where you pretty much know what you’re going to do on the day,” he said.

“If you’ve hit this number in training you know you’re probably going to hit it on competition day.”

Pump-up tunes are also a part of the process.

“I love listening to music.

“I listen to all kinds of different stuff.”

Ryan says that while his family have no background in powerlifting, they are endlessly supportive.

“I don’t think my mum still knows what I’m doing,” he laughs.

“She supports me, she knows that I like it.”

Ryan’s passion for sport and fitness is something he hopes to turn into a career, looking to work in the field of exercise science.

He wants to compete for as long as possible as well.

“I definitely want to see it as far as I can go,” he said.

“As long as I’m training, I’m probably going to be competing.”

Ryan is a student at Whitsunday Anglican School and hopes to turn his passion for fitness into a career in exercise science. Photo: Sam Gillespie

Ryan will compete at the APL Nationals on the Gold Coast in June. Photo: supplied

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