The Cannonvale Cannons have had a mixed week, starting with a super-hot Club Night on Wednesday night with 54 swimmers participating.

Later in the week the weather turned worse during the Saturday afternoon of the Club Championships.  

Unfortunately, the championships were disrupted due to the stormy conditions, with the club planning to finish the events on Wednesday night.  

The coaches were very pleased to see swimmers continuing to achieve PBs so close to the end of the local swim season.  

41 personal best times were set on Wednesday.  

Congratulations to Isabella Pisaniello, Eshan Helou and Jack Ganter for winning the Chocolate Award for their outstanding PBs.  

Koa Harland and Taj were in excellent form, swimming PBs in all their races, and Heidi Hiscox took over 2 seconds off her Breaststroke and Freestyle events.

Millie Groom slashed over 9 from her previous best time in breastroke, and Jack Ganter swam a super 200m IM in 3.15.51 which was close to a 10 second PB.

Don Algie swam a fantastic 10.3 second PB in his 100m Backstroke, while Jasper Korosec swam a very smooth 12 Breaststroke and excellent time of 24.76 seconds in his 25m Freestyle.  

Connor Lee  swam extremely well, setting PBs in his Breaststroke, Freestyle and Butterfly, while the pair of sisters, Abi and Lily Maher, both swam impressive times in their 50m Breaststroke.  

Congratulations to all the other swimmers who achieved PBs:  Anisa Helou, Lilla Mewha, Shailee Mewha, Alannah Ogilvie, Celeste Orenshaw, Isaac Pisaniello, Nathan Saunders, Lukas Trevaskis, Jai Dennison, Jacob Dewis, Stevie Lee, Charlie Doherty, Evie Doherty, Austin Edwards-Bland, Liam Filewood, Oliver Bond, Remy Hedges and Jax Clayworth.

Well done to all the swimmers and a big thank you to all the parents and volunteers!

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

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This weekend is the first big event of the year for the Whitsunday Sea Eagles as they host the Airlie Beach Australian Football Senior Carnival this Saturday.

The annual event is an AFL Mackay Pre-Season Carnival held at the recently redeveloped Whitsunday Sports Park.

Teams from Mackay and Townsville will battle it out to see who the champion is for both senior men and senior women, as well as youth teams.

The event will begin at 8:30am and run through to 7:00pm.

After a long preseason, often disrupted by rainy Whitsunday weather, the Sea Eagles are looking to build on the success of their 2021 season.

For a side that only started in 2018, the Sea Eagles have become a formidable force in the junior and senior competition in Mackay, underlined by an exceptional senior performance against Bakers Creek last year to end their season, as well as finals runs with the senior men’s side losing out in a nail biter elimination final against the Swans.

Grudges will be held and the Eagles will be looking to make finals footy again this year, with a strong start this weekend.

The fully volunteer run club are also in need of an even greater number of volunteers than usual to help to run one of their biggest fundraisers of the year.

The event is set to allow them to purchase new equipment and playing gear across all grades, meaning everyone wins, as long as the community is out in force

They encourage all players and parents to get down and support the teams and the great sport of AFL.

If you’d like to be a part of filling the volunteer roster for all teams, please contact the Whitsunday Sea Eagles through Facebook, if you can help with any of the following:

Under 12s Canteen/gate shifts; Under 14s  Scoreboard shifts; Under 17s Water Carrier shifts.

They will need all the help they can get with more than 500 people expected to attend the day.

They will also need help with setting up from 7am on Saturday and packing up after the Carnival is finished – so feel free to contact the Whitsunday Sea Eagles to do your part for AFL in the region.

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Tuesday 8 March: D Beel M Elphinstone P Warren S Roome d D Retchless I Laird M Wilson M Drummond.

Sunday 13 March: Unfortunately rain prevented the playing of men’s local pennant with Collinsville. However, as the afternoon fined up, social play went on. Winners for the afternoon were M Arthur  M Elphinstone G Danvers who defeated  D Retchless M Brunker S Brunker. Others R Stitt  G Colquhoun P Tracey d I Laird I Wheeler A Rolfe. T Blair S Shearing L Danvers d L Land  B Myers. G Tierney.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Saturday started with a little shower of rain just to set the scene for the day but that didn't cause any of the players any problems.  

Six games of Club Championship Singles were played, starting with Brett Saroglia defeating Todd Leys 25 - 21 in the longest game of the morning.  

Jonathan Bye defeated Marty Flowers 25- 0, and Wayne Handley defeated Barry Saroglia 25 - 6.  

Scott Hamilton defeated Vince Olsen 25-9, Gavin Milne defeated Jim Quod 26-16, and Michael Kinnear defeated Bryan Davy 26-15.

Martin Corr withdrew from the competition and Luchie Gardel progressed to the next round.  

Saturday afternoon, one game of Club Championship Triples started before the rain put an end to any chance of continuing.

Jim Quod, Dale Haack and Wayne Handley defeated Bruce Uhe, Garry Alexander and Peter Lawton 18 - 9.  

The other game was suspended at 12 ends, to be completed at another time when scheduled.

Congratulations to Wayne Handley and Nathan Harriott, with Wayne selected in the District Sides team for both the Challenge Cup to be held in Atherton, April 2 and 3 and the District Sides on the Gold Coast in May.  Nathan has been selected in the District Sides team for May.  

We wish them all the best of bowls.

Contributed with thanks to Heather Brown

Todd Leys and Nathan Dodds between games

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Tuesday 8 March: D Beel M Elphinstone P Warren S Roome d D Retchless I Laird M Wilson M Drummond.

Sunday 13 March: Unfortunately rain prevented the playing of men’s local pennant with Collinsville. However, as the afternoon fined up, social play went on. Winners for the afternoon were M Arthur  M Elphinstone G Danvers who defeated  D Retchless M Brunker S Brunker. Others R Stitt  G Colquhoun P Tracey d I Laird I Wheeler A Rolfe. T Blair S Shearing L Danvers d L Land  B Myers. G Tierney.

Contributed with thanks to Penny Warren

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Jamie Maher tops the Premier League table for the first time ever after his 7/0 victory over one of this season’s debutants Lorraine Woods.

His lead is only by the finest of margins though, as he’s only on top courtesy of better leg difference over both Andy Peel and Jamie Woods currently sitting in 2nd and 3rd place.

Both Jamie and Andy had fine wins of their own on Sunday, Jamie with a 7/2 scoreline over Seamus Rose who had an impressive win last week, and Andy with a 7/1 scoreline over Kameron Reason who’s looking for his first win of the season.

The round was finished off with Garry Robbie and Steve Patmore playing out a 6/6 draw, that’s Steve’s second draw in as many weeks.

Alan Green had his first taste of darts for 2022 taking on the Dom Friend who was looking to bounce back from a 7/2 loss last week, which he did in style, Dom winning comfortably 7/0.

The Premier League is proudly sponsored by Mika Airlie BBQ & Bar and Whitsunday Tattooing.

Contributed with thanks to Jamie Maher

Jamie Woods battling it out in the Premier League on Sunday morning at Mika.

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Meet Yoko, one of Pickleball Whitsundays passionate players who is on-court most Thursday afternoons.

Yoko has been at Pickleball since day one in our region and is always keen to lend a hand to new players as well as playing gutsy Pickleball herself.

Yoko has a tip for newcomers on what not to do in pickleball: do not miss your serve!

Unlike in tennis, there are no second chances or faults in Pickleball, and you can only score in Pickleball when you are serving.

So, it makes sense to develop a consistent reliable serve, rather than trying to absolutely smash it across the court.

Nobody has ever won a Pickleball point by serving insanely and hitting a rocket serve into the net!

She’s one of the faces you can meet at Pickleball Whitsundays on Thursday afternoons and Saturdays.

This Saturday morning past was a bumper for the sport, with even a down pour of rain not stop deterring the persistent pickleballers.

Those out making some noise with their paddles were Carol and Stewart and Frank and Kirsty, to name a few.

Till next week "Paddles Up" for 4.30pm Thursday Afternoon and 7am Saturday Morning.

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman

Yoko, a Pickleball afficionado

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Only two years ago Henry Snell took to the grid in the Dunlop Supersport 300 on Phillip Island for the first time, and last month the Bowen local conquered the event, setting him up for a potential professional career.

The 16-year-old is North Queensland’s only motorbike racer in the Australian Superbike Series competition, and after round 1 – which comprised three races, where Henry finished in 1st twice and 3rd once – he’s now sitting with a 20-point lead.

Quickly gaining national recognition for his raw talent and blistering pace in the 300cc Supersport Class, Henry has garnered himself a nickname, too – The Bowen Bullet.

The young gun competed against elites in Victoria in a far cry from the dirt tracks of Bowen and this recent achievement puts him in an excellent position to capitalise on a great 2022 season.

Henry started racing at nine and has the goal of racing professionally in Europe.

“There’s races like the Asian Talent Cup and the World Supersport 300 overseas and in Europe that I would like to get into,” he said.

“I really want to ride bikes for a living and if I can do well in the Australian [Supersport 300] I think I can get there.”

Henry is set to race in all eight rounds of The Australian Supersport 300, which feeds aspiring young racers into the senior scene.

It regularly develops riders as young as 16-years-old, with exemptions for exceptional racers meaning they can contest the series from as young as 13-years-old. Henry joined at 14.

Looking ahead to this weekend, The Bowen Bullet will take to Queensland Raceway for Round 2 of the Supersport 300.

“I’m not nervous; I know I have a lot of racers who can help me with getting used to the track,” Henry said.

“I just know I have to capitalise on being in the lead.”

He is also currently seeking a vehicle sponsorship, which would allow him to have a dedicated wet conditions bike which would also act as a backup.

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Lesley Nolan was this week made a life ember of the Club for her loyalty, outstanding service, and contribution to Tennis Whitsunday.

Lesley was President of the Club for many years and was active in all aspects of the Club - not just the running but playing social tennis, fundraising, and more.

For Lesley’s "Heads Up” on benefits of playing social tennis for both adults and youngsters, whether you play singles, doubles or are part of a squad, you are playing with another person.

It requires you to socialize with partners, opponents or members of your squad.

The social benefit for both the young and the young at heart can boost your self-esteem, improve your mood, and provide physical and mental benefits.

Not only is tennis one of the world’s most popular sports, you get to stay connected with others, meet new people, and make new friends.

It boosts confidence, not just for tennis but all areas of life, as well as its mental benefits like fighting off stress and anxiety. The exercise that you get from a game of tennis helps to release endorphins that make you happy.  

The extra benefit for children is that instead of staying glued to their screen and sitting down inside all day, they are outside playing with likeminded children.

Whether it be just a high five, a post-match handshakes and support from parents and coaches, social tennis is a fantastic choice to keep you happy and healthy.

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman

Lesley Nolan, a new Life Member of Tennis Whitsunday

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Brothers Netball Club is looking for more players aged 11 - 14 to join its fun, family orientated club. The club can arrange $150 Government vouchers to help reduce costs of playing.

Training is Mondays 4pm - 5pm and the club can potentially arrange a lift from school if needed.

Games are on a Saturday.

If you know of anyone who would love to join the club, contact Mel on 0408 737 696.

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The Oceania Athletics Association (OAA) and the Oceania Paralympic Committee (OPC) are excited to announce that the Oceania Athletics Championships, to be held in Mackay, will incorporate the Oceania Para Athletics Championships.

In a world first, for international athletics competitions, athletes of all abilities will compete for Oceania Championships medals at the same time at the same venue.

With the cancellation of the Para World Championships in 2022, there was limited International Competition for Para Athletes throughout Oceania. The need for quality competition for the Oceania para-athletes was recognised by both OAA and the OPC, culminating in this outstanding opportunity.

The Oceania Athletics Championships has offered para events at previous Area Championships, but this is the first time they will be formally recognised at the Oceania Championships.

Oceania Paralympic Committee President Paul Bird said, "The Oceania Paralympic Committee applauds the decision by the Oceania Athletics Association to recognise the forthcoming event in Mackay as well as future iterations, as the Oceania Para Athletics Championships.

“As we begin the journey to Brisbane 2032, this decision by OAA for our Para Athletes to have a recognised and enhanced opportunity for regular international competition within our region, representing their country in an integrated national team, is the perfect pathway for our para-athletes."

Oceania Athletics President Robin Sapong-Eugenio has said, “It’s fantastic that our organisations have been able to come together and offer our athletes throughout Oceania an opportunity for international Championships in 2022, it will create a pathway for our para-athletes in the lead up to Paris and beyond.”

With Oceania Athletics having the Mackay Regional Council as the Major Sponsor for the 2022 Oceania Athletics Championships, Sapong-Eugenio is looking forward to the Championships in Mackay.

“Mackay has proven itself to host major sporting events, including athletics competitions, over the past few years, and we are pleased to be working with the Mackay Regional Council as the major partner and sponsor of the Championships.”

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said having Mackay as the host city in 2022 was a fantastic opportunity and a testament to the world-class nature of the Mackay ARC (Aquatic and Recreation Complex).

Mackay Regional Council, through its Events Attraction Program, had worked hard to secure the event, which was expected to generate 11,725 bed nights and result in a $2.5 million dollar stimulus to the region.

“We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the Pacific and hope they take the time to enjoy some of our region’s must-do activities – like see a platypus at Eungella, meet the Cape Hillsborough wallabies on the beach at sunrise or simply enjoy a meal in our city centre.”

The Oceania Athletics and Para Athletics Championships will run from June 7th to 11th at the Mackay ARC.

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Eli, Alyssa, Eli, Emmy Lou and Matilda from the Sarina Demons Junior AFL Club – playing in Rockhampton in the Capricornia trials for the Mackay and District School Sports in AFL

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New Zealand Breakers big-man Kyrin Galloway has signed with the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors for the 2022 NBL1 season.

Standing at 203cm, Galloway helps boost the Meteors frontcourt, forming an exciting partnership with returning 2021 Most Valuable Player, Emmanuel Malou.

The 22-year-old is in his second NBL season with the New Zealand Breakers, averaging 4 points and 2 rebounds per contest, while shooting 47 per cent from the floor.

Galloway joined the Breakers after an impressive four-year college career at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In his senior year with the Spartans, Galloway averaged 8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds, while leading the Southern Conference in blocked shots, averaging 1.7 per game.

Galloway has also pulled on the green and gold, winning a bronze medal while representing Australia and at the 2019 World University Games in Italy.

McDonald’s Mackay Meteors NBL1 North Head Coach Joel Khalu said Galloway was the “perfect piece” for this year’s roster.

“We were chasing a dynamic athlete that could do a lot of things really well and we’ve got that with Kyrin,” Khalu said.

“He’s an outstanding defender who can switch out on smaller guys, plus he’s an elite level shot blocker, so his rim protection adds another dimension to our overall team defence.

“On the offensive end he can score in a variety of ways, whether that’s stretching the floor as a shooter or bullying guys on the low block. He’s also a very underrated passer too.

“His skill-set is broad and I can’t wait to work with him here in Mackay and help continue his development.”

Galloway is also looking forward to the NBL1 season ahead.

“I’m excited to be playing in the NBL1 this season, especially coming to a great, winning program such as Mackay,” Galloway said.

“I’m looking forward to further establishing myself in my professional career and keeping the championship title in Mackay.”

Galloway will join his McDonald’s Mackay Meteors teammates at the conclusion of the NBL season.

New Zealand Breakers forward Kyrin Galloway has signed with the McDonald’s Mackay Meteors. Picture: NBL Media

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Mackay Gymnastics has been successful with two of their senior athletes gaining selection to Senior State Team training.  These two athletes, Oriana Morgan and Siena Carney, both Level 8 gymnasts, were selected on their high level of commitment to the sport and their individual training.

The girls will travel to Brisbane twice this year to train with Queensland’s best coaches from the High-Performance Centre in the hopes of increasing their skill level. Both have the goal of being selected into the top 8 in the State to compete at the Australian Gymnastics Nationals in May.

The girls currently train 5 days per week with training sessions lasting 3 to 4 hours. Their competition season is already underway, and they will compete in the State Titles on 1-3 April.  The girls must travel to Townsville and Brisbane to compete as there are no high-level competition opportunities in Mackay.  

Coach Jenny Rowland is proud of their selection into the training team as it will give them greater opportunities to a higher level of competition and training that they can’t always get living in a regional town.

Fit And Fantastic For Life

Fit 1 and 2: Age is no deterrent to fitness fun at Mackay Gymnastics. Photos: Supplied

Boot camp in this weather – can you believe it?

Fitter for Life participants took part in their version of boot camp earlier this month with Mackay Gymnastics.

Tyre flips were done with hula hoops or bowls (not tyres), ball slams were performed with rhythmic balls (not medicine balls), hammer whacks were done with pool noodles rather than hammers.

Did we work up a sweat – yes and that was before we even started! Did we have fun? Yes, we did.

Fitter for Life classes are for over 50’s and are held at Mackay Gymnastics and retirement resorts Eaglemount and Breezes. We aim to keep people active and have fun at the same time. Members also enjoy socialising. Sometimes there is more socialising than action!

If you would like to join, your first class is free.

Contributed by Rosemary Haines, Mackay Gymnastics

Oriana Morgan and Sienna Carney

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It was a wet one at Denison Park in Bowen, with storm clouds rolling over the Whitsundays as well as the Mackay Cutters and Townsville Blackhawks during their warmups ahead of their third and final trial game.

The rainy weather was set to liven up the match on the field, with players slipping and sliding, as well as the occasional big hit, but it wasn’t the only storm brewing.

Now head coach of the Mackay Cutters, David Elliott has a history with the Hawks, previously having worked as assistant coach for the sides Intrust Super Cup team, and lending  a personal narrative to the match up.

For Bowen, who only recently secured a senior rugby league return with its own Townsville and District side, the clash had its extra elements, too.

A town that can sometimes see little in terms of high-level sport, a day of Rugby League courtesy of the Cutters was a victory in its own right, but the teams were also fighting for the coveted Mike McLean Shield.

McLean, a Bowen local who represented Queensland at the Origin and had a career across New South Wales sides Eastern Suburbs and Newcastle Knights, as well as back in the Gold Coast. The second rower now has Townsville and Mackay regularly compete for the shield named in his honour.

Ten North Queensland Toyota Cowboys were named for the line up in the Queensland Cup trial match as well, adding another dab of spice to the already volatile set up.

Outside back Brendan Elliot, half Daejarn Asi, second-rower Ben Condon and prop Morgan McWhirter were named for the Cutters, while fullback Tom Chester, centre Jordan Lipp, half Jake Bourke, props Emry Pere and Taniela Sadrugu and lock Riley Price all pulled on the Blackhawks kit.

It was all to play for in the Northern Derby, especially for Mackay – from 2017 in the Queensland Cup, it had been six wins out of eight for the Hawks, one win in the Cutters favour, and a draw to share between the pair.

With the stage set, the backstories brimming, the Cutters and Blackhawks game was always set to be a good outing, and it didn’t disappoint.

Slick conditions lent for a sloppy affair, but come the end of the 80 minutes, the Mick McLean shield remained in the Townsville side’s possession, 24-18.

With preseason now coming to a close, it’s been two losses for the Cutters side and a half victory with the Young Guns match being abandoned due to inclement weather. Elliott has taken a new squad and shown they can play intricate football at times – flashes in the pan particularly noted in the Young Guns match - with consistency still the northern star.

With an emphasis on culture, and particularly developing younger lads, Elliott may very well get the Cutters “back into the winners circle” come the season. A finals football return is almost certainly on his mind, and whether he can continue to build after a disrupted, Covid-plagued preseason will tell in time.

They now look ahead at their Saturday afternoon fixture at BB Print tomorrow, where they’ll face a challenging PNG Hunters, led by coach Matt Church. They wrapped up their preseason with an 18-14 win over the West Brisbane Panthers A-Grade Side, showing some defensive improvements and discipline.

Undoubtedly, this Cutters side has the ability and the squad depth to go far, and needs the Sugar City behind them to not only take it to the Hunters, but to the whole Queensland Cup.

The Mackay Cutters will kick-off their 2022 Hostplus Cup Competition Saturday, March 19 against the SP PNG Hunters at 4:30pm.

The Mackay Cutters alongside the Townsville Blackhawks

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