The Mackay Cutters have announced the departure of Hostplus Cup Head Coach Dave Elliott by mutual agreement.

The Cutters made the announcement earlier this month, saying in a statement “We would like to sincerely thank Dave for his work and effort over the past 10-months and wish the Elliott family all the very best in their future.”

Mr Elliot relocated to Mackay from Townsville in 2021, taking over the role as head coach from Michael Crawley for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Mr Elliot has previously filled the roles of Hastings Deering Colts head coach with the Townsville Blackhawks and Blackhawks Intrust Super Cup Assistant Coach.

He departs prematurely to join Norths Devils as head coach on a two-year deal starting in 2023 after receiving an unexpected phone call from Devils CEO Troy Rovelli.

The Cutters will make further announcements regarding future coaching appointments in the coming weeks.

Mackay Cutters Hostplus Cup Head Coach Dave Elliott will depart the club at the end of the season. Photo supplied: QRL

‍

‍

Peter Cowling and Ken Lane played the final of the B Singles last Saturday. It was a very tight game, with Ken coming out the victor this Year. Congratulations Ken. Mixed pairs and mixed fours are still being played.

Monday mixed pairs draw winners were Sandra Sommerfeld and Peter Shepherd. Loser’s draw was won by Sally and Peter Hodgson. Lucky draws went to Peter Hammreink and Barry Lee.

Wednesday ladies’ day was taken out by F. Carson, P. Cooper and D. Offield with S. Gilbert and S. Cuttriss in second place.

Thursday mixed pairs winners were Jessie Haber and Lyn Tennant. Runners-up was the team of Jan Little and Paul Goldston. Greens vouchers went to Lance Edwards and Wayne Trannore.

Friday mixed pairs was taken out by Rob Evans and Peter Horsburgh, who continue their winning streak. Lucky draw winners were Pat Elgey and Vic Gaudion with Val DePinto and Tony Allsop in second spot.

Saturday men’s day winners were Ray McCarthy and Doug Dungavell. Peter Delaney and Trevor Laurens came second.

Contributed by Tony Allsop.

Ken Lane and Peter Cowling fought out the B grade singles, with Ken eventually taking out this year’s title

Greg McLean and President, Eric Galletly man the starters box

‍

St Patrick’s College Mackay have taken a giant step towards reaching the Grand Final of the prestigious Aaron Payne Cup schoolboys rugby league competition.

The decorated College savoured one of its finest victories last week after toppling Confraternity Shield champions Ignatius Park College 20-6 in front of a boisterous Townsville home crowd to clinch the 2022 minor premiership.

There was double reason to celebrate for the Mackay youngsters with the final preliminary round triumph also avenging St Patrick’s devastating loss to their Townsville rivals in this year’s Confraternity Shield Grand Final at BB Print Stadium last month.

The stirring feat also snapped a five-year drought for St Patrick's, who managed to post their first win over Ignatius Park since 2017.

St Patrick’s lined up against neighbours Mackay State High School in a Cup semifinal on Wednesday, hoping to replicate their opening round 36-4 victory at the Mackay Junior League Fields while Ignatius Park squared off with Kirwan State High School in a local Townsville semifinal derby.

The winners of both semifinals will progress to the Aaron Payne Cup Grand Final to be staged on Friday August 19 as a curtain raiser to the North Queensland Cowboys v New Zealand Warriors NRL clash at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

St Patrick’s playmaker Jaxon Purdue produced a standout performance at half back, scoring two of his team’s tries and creating havoc out wide with his vision and silky passing.

Bailey Anderson turned in a strong defensive effort on the wing with rampaging forward Matthew Watts, gun hooker Xavier Kerrisk, fullback Will Shears and centre Kai Simon also making an impact for the Mackay giants.

Shears was rewarded with a try while Simon booted four goals from as many attempts to complete the scoring.

…………………………………………………………………….

Minor Premiers Mercy Chase Cowboys Challenge Grand Final Berth

Caption: Promising Mercy College five eighth Adam McSherry in action for the minor premiers in the Cowboys Challenge Shield competition. The young gun remains a key player in Mercy's quest for the premiership title

They might have wrapped up the minor premiership title but Mercy College coach Ian Schifilitti will undertake a low key approach to the 2022 Cowboys Challenge finals series.

While disappointed with his side’s listless performance during a 12-4 loss to Ignatius Park College in Townsville last week, a buoyant Schifilitti knows they are well placed to challenge for trophy honours in coming weeks.

Mercy may have suffered their first loss of the season but go into this week’s semifinal showdown with Mareeba State High School full of confidence after trouncing their Cairns rivals 52-0 just a fortnight ago in a preliminary round.

While the players face another arduous road trip back to Townsville for the big clash, they are fully aware that another comprehensive victory will set up a Challenge Shield decider against either Kirwan State High School or Ignatius Park College in Mackay.

Kirwan State High toppled Ignatius Park College 26-10 in the earlier Cowboys Challenge rounds before succumbing 16-10 to Mercy College in recent weeks.

Queensland Under 15 representative prop Cohen Jackson turned in a wholehearted performance for Mercy in the loss to Ignatius Park and was ably supported by playmaker Adam McSherry, hooker Hudson Clark and industrious forward Saxon Croft.

A sloppy Mercy team surrendered a 4-0 lead at the break with an undisciplined second half display as their Townsville rivals seized the advantage.

By Chris Karas

Classy St Patrick's half back Jaxon Purdue proved instrumental in the 20-6 Aaron Payne Cup victory over Ignatius Park College to snap a five-year drought against their Townsville rivals

Dashing St Patrick's fullback Will Shears returned to his enterprising best to help his team sink Ignatius Park College 20-6 in schoolboy rugby league action last week

‍

Wednesday August 3 was a very special day in the Pioneer Valley. Of course, there was plenty of cake.

Marian Ladies Bowls Club celebrated its 70th birthday, with bowls in the morning followed by lunch and the drawing of raffles.

Around 68 people made up of club members and visitors attended, with a day described as being full of fun and laughter. Club member Thelma Johnston used her baking talents to create a beautiful cake for all to share.

The club will be holding its annual Masters 4s event on August 15 – 17.

‍

Round 17 of the Hostplus Cup brought the second-placed Central Queensland Capras to Mackay on Saturday, a ground where the visitors had lost nine of their last 10 fixtures.

The Cutters were looking to extend their home ground record over the Capras in front of a strong Mackay crowd with both teams looking dangerous in the opening minutes of the game.

A shift to the left looked ominous for the Capras before Cutters winger Jake Riley read the play perfectly, intercepting a pass before it could reach the wing and running 80 metres to put the Cutters on the counterattack.

Some simple ball movement to the left brought on an overlap with winger Laitia Moceidreke crossing in the corner untouched in the 12th minute.

Seven minutes later, another shift to the left and a storming run from second rower Kane Bradley saw him evade three tackles to score in the 19th minute.

The Cutters showed they can play both sides of the field, going right off a mid-field scrum for Jake Riley to score in the corner with three minutes left in the first half.

A penalty goal on the stroke of half-time finished a near-perfect half for the Cutters, taking the home side to a 16-0 lead at half-time.

Eight minutes into the first half, Cutters centre Blake Paskins found space out of dummy half, busting the Capras open before finding fullback Kyle Krisanski-Kennedy who scored untouched.

The Capras finally put numbers on the board in the 56th minute through Radean Robinson and again five minutes later through Jonus Pearson.

The comeback wasn’t to be as Moceidreke scored his second for the night in the 70th minute followed shortly by front rower Jayden Morgan crossing in the 74th.

A scrappy consolation try for Capras winger Brandon Roberts in the 79th minute brought the full-time score to 34-16, capping off a huge upset for the 11th-placed Cutters.

The Cutters are back at BB Print Stadium on Sunday where they will welcome the Burleigh Bears for Women in League Round.

The Cutters defeated the Capras in a strong display at home. Photos supplied: Mackay Cutters

Future stars of Souths and Magpies faced off at half-time. Photos supplied: Rugby League Mackay & District

‍

Two Mackay hockey players will be coming home from Birmingham with medals after both the men’s and women’s teams made the gold medal matches in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Claire Colwill played in the Hockeyroos team that finished with silver while Jacob Anderson and the Kookaburras won gold after thumping India in the final.

18-year-old Claire debuted for the Hockeyroos in May this year in New Zealand and has become a vital part of the team.

She already has a strong hockey CV to her name, having represented and won tournaments with Mackay, Queensland and Australian representative teams.

Claire was part of the first Mackay team to win the Queensland U18 Championships Division 1 title in over 25 years.

The Kookaburras finished the group stage of the Commonwealth Games undefeated and without a goal scored against them.

They defeated India in a penalty shootout in the semi-final to make it to the gold medal match where they went down to the hosts England 1-2 to claim silver.

Claire finished the tournament with one goal scored against Kenya in the group stage.

25-year-old Jacob Anderson also made his Commonwealth Games debut representing the Kookaburras.

Jacob debuted for the Kookaburras in 2018 and has over 25 caps representing his country.

The Kookaburras also enjoyed an undefeated run through the group stage, finishing on top of their pool.

The Australians defeated England 3-2 in the semi-final before convincingly beating India 7-0, claiming gold and their seventh consecutive Commonwealth Games title.

Jacob scored five goals throughout the Games including two in the gold medal match.

As the Commonwealth Games wrapped up earlier this week, Australia finished atop the medal tally with a total of 67 gold medals, 57 silver and 54 bronze.

‍

Schoolboy rugby league heavyweights Ignatius Park College Townsville and St Patrick’s College Mackay continue to flex their muscles in the Aaron Payne Cup Open age competition.

On the eve of the finals and with the minor premiership at stake, the proud sporting nurseries will square off in a preliminary round fixture in Townsville this week in a bid for bragging rights.

Four weeks ago the crack outfits met in the Grand Final of the 2022 Confraternity Shield Carnival in Mackay where Ignatius Park lifted the championship trophy in resounding fashion.

The St Patrick’s team is keen to exact revenge over their arch rivals and stake a claim for Cup honours but know they face a tough assignment.

Head Coach Michael Comerford believes his charges can turn the tables on Ignatius Park in coming weeks and restore some pride following the heavy 32-0 loss in the Confraternity Shield decider.

“The boys really have a point to prove and know their performance in the Confro final was under par,” explained Michael.

“We weren’t at our best but full marks to Ignatius Park who simply outplayed us on the day,” he said.

“The Aaron Payne Cup is a new competition and there is so much improvement to come from our squad – we have been building nicely leading in to the finals and gathering momentum” added Michael.

St Patrick’s College edged out Kirwan State High School 22-20 in an absorbing schoolboy Cup encounter at Mackay Junior League Fields last week.

The hard-fought win was the ideal tonic for the Mackay giants in preparation for the big clash with Ignatius Park with powerhouse forwards Matthew Watts, lock Henry Thorpe, Bray Tait, Levi Love and Patrick Vella producing stand out games.

Watts and Thorpe were superb as the St Patrick’s middle inspired a second half revival to nab two valuable competition points.

Tait and gun centre Kai Simon posted early tries as St Patrick’s jumped to a 10-0 lead before Kirwan State High responded with 20 unanswered points.

Clever half back Jaxon Purdue dashed over for an important try after the break that was converted by Simon before Emerging Queensland U/18s hooker Xavier Kerrisk fooled the defence to grab the match-winning try in a thrilling climax.

By Chris Karas

Mercy Stays On Top Of Cowboys Challenge

Mercy College Mackay maintained top position on the Cowboys Challenge competition table after toppling Kirwan State High 16-10 at the Mackay Junior League Fields.

The Mercy warriors turned in a trojan-like defensive effort to stave off a determined Kirwan side that dominated possession in the second half.

Talented Mercy forwards Hudson Clark, Hunter Harris, Saxon Crofts, Reuben Saren, centre Lachlan Whippy and astute five eighth Adam McSherry were instrumental in the six-point victory that keeps the Mackay school entrenched at the top of the competition ladder.

Clark and Whippy crossed for first half tries converted by McSherry to help Mercy establish a 12-6 lead at the break.

Livewire fullback Lane Maunder sealed victory for the home school midway through the second half when he weaved through the Kirwan defence to notch Mercy’s third try of the match.

Mercy kept the visitors at bay with bustling defence and the sound kicking game of playmaker McSherry, who menaced his Townsville-based rivals with uncanny ball placement in a tense finish.

Rising forward Matthew Watts turned in a powerful performance for St Patrick's College in a thrilling 22-20 victory over Kirwan State High School in the Aaron Payne Cup competition last week.

Skilful lock and inspirational captain Henry Thorpe is a player to watch for St Patrick's College when the Mackay school squares off with Ignatius Park College in a top of the table Aaron Payne Cup clash in Townsville this week

Talented Mercy College hooker Hudson Clark spins the ball to supports during a recent Cowboys Challenge Shield fixture

‍

Mackay Pickleball players participated in another leg of the Queensland Pickleball Tour held in Yeppoon on the July 23-24 weekend.  

Congratulations to Heather Hayes, Colleen Ingham and Gigi Brake for representing Mackay and doing us proud and helping to spread the word of pickleball.

There were 73 players nominated with a few travelling from Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania.

The games were played on designated and permanent Pickleball courts which were really appreciated by the Mackay players, as they play on multi-sports surfaces, both indoors and outdoors.  

No medals came from this tournament but the number of new friends made and the meeting up with friends from previous tournaments was worth it.

The trip to Yeppoon was great not just for the exercise, the experience, the learning and the fun of travelling, but the lasting friendships made while getting a few important tips from some of the top Pickleball players in Australia.

The next big event for Mackay ‘Picklers’ is the Australian Championships at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Brisbane from October 1-3, but there are always other smaller events to choose from along the way.

This year, Pickleball was included in the North Queensland Games in Townsville, and in November, it will be in the Pan Pacific Games at the Gold Coast.  

This is an enormous indication of the growth of Pickleball in Australia.  

To gain an idea of what Pickleball is, Google it and you will see the fun people are having.

Better still, come and see the games in action at the following places.  

First attendance is free and equipment is provided - just wear comfy shoes, clothes and a bottle of water.

Tues: 5.30pm-7pm PCYC, 33 Norris Rd, North Mackay

Wed: 4pm-6pm Mackay Tennis Courts, Kippen St, Mackay

Thurs: 12pm-2pm PCYC, 33 Norris Rd, North Mackay

Frid: 4pm-8pm             Mackay Tennis Courts, Kippen St, Mackay

Contributed by Michelle Sheehan

Gigi Brake, Heather Hayes and Colleen Ingham

Mackay pickleball players in action

Mixing it with some of Australia's top pickleball players. Photos supplied: Michelle Sheehan

‍

Hockey is a family affair and much talked about subject in the Davies household at East Mackay.

Most of the conversation centres around the exploits of 12-year-old Matthew Davies, regarded as one of the brightest young hockey midfield prospects in the State.

The Mercy College Mackay student is gearing up for a busy sporting campaign over the next two months when he represents Queensland at both the National SchoolSport Australia 10-12yrs Carnival in Canberra and Junior Under 13 Hockey Championships in Hobart.

While a proud Davies anticipates a hectic travelling schedule in coming weeks, he is thrilled to be donning a Queensland jumper in elite competition and testing his skill and prowess against the best young hockey talent in the country.

“I can’t wait to fly down to Canberra in a few weeks for the SchoolSport Australia 10-12yrs Hockey Championships,” revealed Matthew, who is a product of the local Mackay Hockey Association.

“We know the competition will be tough but our squad has worked really hard in preparation for the event and realise that we have to consistently produce our best to stay in the mix for the title” he said.

Queensland will field a strong combination for the National SchoolSport 10-12yrs tournament that will be staged in the ACT from Sunday August 21 to Friday August 26.

Matthew showed his leadership qualities during the recent Under 10-12yrs Schools State titles in Ipswich by skippering Capricornia to a second placed finish behind joint winners Metropolitan North and Wide Bay.

The midfield ace was at his dynamic best – inspiring the Capricornia team to a 3-1 victory over Wide Bay and 1-all draw with Met North in the preliminary rounds in one of the hardest-fought campaigns on record.

Young Matthew hails from good hockey stock – his mother Tanya was an astute midfielder in her heyday with Norths Hockey Club while elder brother Lachlan,15, is a promising representative striker in the Mackay Juniors.

Both Tanya and Lachlan have carved out illustrious careers in the sport and have offered valuable hockey tips to Matthew during his development phase which has sharpened his mindset.

Since taking up hockey at the age of six while a student at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Mackay, a determined Davies has shown a maturity that far belies his years.

Matthew has represented Mackay for the past five seasons and looks forward to 2023 when he can officially start playing competitive club hockey from the Under 13s.

He has enjoyed wearing the Mackay colours at various age group Carnivals and competing for his region and State since the age of 10, but the loyal Davies is keen to line up for Norths with his local hockey mates and participate in regular club competitions.

There is no rest for Matthew at the completion of the National SchoolSport Australia Hockey Championships.

On his return from Canberra, the midfield maestro will join his Queensland representative team mates to prepare for the 2022 Hockey Australia National Under 13 Championship Carnival in Hobart from September 28 to October 4.

A competitive warrior on the field, the fast-developing Davies is relishing the opportunity.

By Chris Karas

Mackay’s dual Queensland junior hockey representative Matthew Davies in action for Capricornia at this year’s State Schools Hockey titles in Ipswich. The midfield trump will wear the maroon colours of Queensland in the National SchoolSport Australia 10-12yrs Hockey Championships in Canberra from August 21-26 and National Hockey Australia U/13 Championships in Hobart from September 28 to October 4. Photos: Supplied

‍

Mackay swimmer Meg Harris has swept up silver in the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Meg finished second in the Women’s 50m freestyle on Monday with a time of 24.32 seconds.

She finished as part of an all-Australian podium, with Shayna Jack taking bronze and Emma McKeon taking gold to become the most prolific athlete in Commonwealth Games history.

Meg also swam as part of the Australian Mixed 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay team that won a gold medal last weekend.

Meg will add the medals to her collection already consisting of Olympic gold and Olympic bronze medals.

Meg Harris has won silver in Birmingham. Photo credit: Delly Carr - Sports Photographer

Meg was a Nipper with the Eimeo Surf Lifesaving Club

‍

‍

When Mercy College Mackay teacher Dee Meigan helped resurrect the school’s Mountain Bike Club last term, little did she anticipate the wave of success that would follow the batch of young riders.

Some 15 students answered her call to re-form the Club back in June and have made an immediate impact – clinching the overall Schools Championship Team Trophy at the Rocky Trail Mountain Bike Schools competition at Rowallen Park in Farleigh.

A combined Mercy College/St Patrick’s College team competed in the event on the last day of Term 2 and came away with a swag of medals including individual gold in the Junior Year 7/8 Girls and Intermediate Year 9/10 Boys and Girls categories.

Leading the way was exciting 15-year-old prospect Kristen Rowlands, who won the Year 9/10 Intermediate Girls title in courageous style against a strong field of riders.

Mountain bike riding is in Rowlands’ veins and the Year 10 starlet jumped at the chance to re-join the Club after competing on various tracks during her early years at Mercy College.

“Kristen was the first student to join our newly formed Club and what a dynamo she has proved to be on a mountain bike,” said PE teacher Dee, who has assembled an impressive squad.

“To win three individual titles plus the overall Schools Championship at our first meet is a tremendous feat”, she declared.

“It was an exciting day for our school with five students placing on the podium,” Dee added.

Other individual Mercy College winners were Kate Jones-Trifelly (Junior Year 7-8 Girls) and Edward Spicer (Intermediate Year 9-10 Boys) with silver medals to John Trifelly (Intermediate Year 9-10 Boys) and St Patrick’s rider Lockie Bourke (Senior Year 11/12 Boys).

The talented Rowlands, who has been riding mountain bikes competitively for five years, is an esteemed member of the Mackay & District (MAD) Mountain Bike Club where she has performed with distinction.

Kristen showed her class to take out the Paluma Push Marathon Juniors event and has now set her sights on the National Schools Mountain Bike Riding Championships to be staged at Nerang on the Gold Coast in September.

Other Mercy College riders that helped bring home the Rocky Trail Team Trophy were Kai Nicholson, Jackson McPherson, Pat Arbuthnot, Cooper Doyle, Liam Anderson, Jack Hurley, Charles Christensen, Louis Cauchi , Decklan Logan and Riley Meigan.

By Chris Karas

Mercy College Mountain Bike Club riders that won the Schools Championship Team Trophy at the Rocky Trail Mountain Bike Riding competition at Rowallen Park. Photos: Supplied

Mackay mountain bike riding champion Kristen Rowlands starred at the recent Rocky Trail competition– winning gold for Mercy College in the Intermediate Year 9-10 Girls event and Schools Championship Team Trophy

‍

North Mackay Bowls Club (Goosies) held the ladies Champion of Champions fours district finals. North Mackay faced Marian in the final.

With a close and tense final, it went down to the wire with North Mackay winners from a valiant Marian team by 1 point.

The week prior, Lydia McCarthy won the B Singles District Championships played at Marian in challenging windy conditions.

North Mackay celebrated success in this year’s pennants. Its ladies pennant teams, divisions 1, 3 and 4 and the men’s pennant team division 2, were all winners in this year’s district competitions.

The club celebrated with a joint dinner at Goosies Sport and Recreation Club. Ladies president Lorraine Silman welcomed and thanked all players who attended and for playing in this year’s competition. Mick Mackenzie and Ron Bowers also thanked all players in response.

Contributed by Suzanne Hazledine

Champion of Champion fours winning team: Lydia McCarthy, Jean Schmidtke, Maryanne Bartolo and Anne Peet

Champion of Champion fours runners-up: Marian ladies: Laurel Morrow (sub for Jean Kay), Fay Erickson, Gwen Harburger, Joan Vickers

Lydia McCarthy, Winner of the ‘B’ Singles District Championships

North Mackay Bowls Club celebrates success in the pennants competition with a celebration at Goosies

‍

Several club championship competitions were also played over the weekend with the men’s A pairs final won by Ian McDonald and Peter Delaney who substituted for Neal Blucher due to sickness.

Monday mixed pairs draw winners were Peter Cowley and Rob Hall followed by Alan Brown and Kees Struik. Greens vouchers won by Brenda Trannore and Lyn Maguire.

Wednesday ladies’ day winners were Brenda Trannore, Margaret Goldston and Ann Smith, with Jean Comelli, S. Gilbert and Dot Wise in second spot.

Thursday mixed pairs was taken out by Brian Perrin and partner, with Cheryl Corbett and Isla Comelli runners up. Greens vouchers went to visitors, Sally and Peter Hogden.

Friday mixed pairs was won by Ron Bowers and Doug Geddings. Draw winners were Donna Gordon and Bert Hobbs, with second place taken out by Vic Gaudion and partner.

Saturday men’s day winners were Tom Atkins, Peter Delaney and Peter Madden.

Contributed by Tony Allsop

A happy group of ladies before play on Monday

Men’s A pairs finalists, Ian McDonald, Clive Wales, Peter Delaney filling in for Neil Blucher, and Wayne Trannore. Ian McDonald and Neal Blucher won the title, with Peter Delaney filling in for Neal

‍

AFL fans can look forward to cheering on top level teams in Mackay for another four years.

Mackay Regional Council is renewing its partnership with the Gold Coast Suns until 2026, it was announced at council’s ordinary meeting last week.

Gold Coast SUNS Chief Executive Mark Evans said the club was thrilled to continue to bring an AFLW match to Mackay for the next four years and was excited for the upcoming fixture at Great Barrier Reef Arena on Saturday, September 17.

“We’ve been really pleased with our ability to drive awareness, tourism and business outcomes for Mackay through our partnership,” Evans said.

“We’ve made Mackay our second home for our AFLW team and have had great support from the region every time we visit.”

Since the partnership began in 2019, the Mackay region has hosted three AFLW matches and countless youth development opportunities such as AFLW talent identification, investment in Mackay’s Suns Academy for both male and female pathways, coaching sessions and school appearances.

The partnership has allowed council to generate exclusive national brand exposure through signage and branding across both AFL and AFLW, as well the opportunity to promote council’s Mackay Waterfront and Hooked on Mackay initiatives through televised coverage and digital channels.

Investment attraction has been another important objective of the partnership, which has led to the announcement of Kool Beanz SUNS Harrup Park, a new early learning childcare facility that will be located near Harrup Park.

This new development was secured as a direct result of the partnership and the introductions that were made between Gold Coast Suns corporate partners and Harrup Park.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council was excited to continue this relationship for another four years.

“As part of the new agreement, we will continue to host an annual AFLW match at Harrup Park’s Great Barrier Reef Arena,” he said.

“These events are invaluable in terms of improving the liveability and livelihood of our region and the games always attract a great crowd of local supporters.”

In addition to annual matches, the Suns have committed to hosting a number of AFLW community camps, athlete and coach scholarship programs and junior pathways programs.

“We have had several local success stories come from these programs,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Lauren Bella, Emma Pittman, Wallis Randell and Alana Gee all started their careers in the sport in Mackay and have gone on to play for the Gold Coast Suns AFLW team.

“We are confident that the continuation of this partnership will only help to inspire more young people to pursue their dreams of a career in AFL.”

Mayor Greg Williamson and Chief Commercial Officer at Gold Coast SUNS, Simon Fitzgibbon are excited to renew the partnership

‍

Local Mackay Rifle Club junior, Kylah Norris has been selected to represent the district at the North Queensland Pennants Team shoot, on August 6 and 7 in Townsville.

The grade 10 student has been hand-picked from the best shooters of four local clubs to join a team of four other shooters to go head-to-head with teams from Townsville and Cairns.

Kylah regularly shoots at the Mackay Mt Vince Rifle Range alongside her dad, Terry Norris. Terry is also included in the Mackay district team and will shoot alongside Kylah in Townsville.

Terry coaches her each Sunday at the local club shoot and has noted the sharp acceleration in Kylah’s skills and confidence over the last 6 months.

“She has a natural ability to read the wind, perfect trigger control and shot routine that sets her apart from more experienced shooters,” Terry said.

Other senior club shooters have also been impressed with Kylah’s control and processes as well as her natural ability which made her an attractive choice to join the Mackay team.

Kylah normally shoots in the sporter/hunter class at the club, which covers any standard off the shelf hunting rifle, but will be sharing her dad's more powerful target rifle for the competition. With the countdown on, Kylah has her final preparations underway and will send a few hundred rounds down range over the coming days to sharpen her skills.

The North Queensland Pennants competition is shot over two days at distances of 600, 800 and 900 metres. The team with the highest aggregate score after the two days of competition will be crowned the North Queensland team champions. In the past, the Cairns club have proven to be a force to be reckoned with, but Mackay is hoping that with the addition of new young talent they might pip the experience of the other district teams.

Kylah Norris regularly shoots up to 1000 metres with her factory rifles. Photos: Supplied

Kylah and her dad Terry practising at Mt Vince rifle range in Mackay

‍