Wiffle balls, wiffle balls and more wiffle balls were the case on Saturday morning with three courts of action.

Sheridan and Demi played on Saturday morning and again on Thursday afternoon, with every game the girls developing their skills.

Saturday mornings to get their weekly fix of the game, players travel from as far as Bloomsbury and Bowen, with even Gary from Sydney stopping by on Thursday afternoon for a match.

Two top hints for Pickleball: first, watch the ball – that may sound funny, but make sure you’ve got your eyes so peeled for the ball you can count the holes on it.

Second: Play it safe and be consistent, let your opponent make the mistake – focusing on your rallies is the aim of the game.

Are you up for a new sport? Then paddle up at 4:30pm Thursday Afternoons, and 7:00am Saturday Mornings.

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman

These two can't get enough of pickleball

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Tennis is a social activity and a great way to achieve and maintain your general health for all ages; that's why every Monday afternoon, Jill and Geoff and Paula and Rob, hit the court at 6pm for their weekly fix of fun, friendship and fitness.

Monday afternoon, the father daughter combo of Mark and Molly hit the courts for quality time together, with a fair bit of competitiveness on show as they hit their forehands and backhands with some venom.

The squads this week worked on fitness and consistency - a must for playing tennis -with particular great work to Jade, Xhanbre and Alex, Lucas and Hayden, as well as Sophie.

As per normal, Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon social tennis were amazing affairs.

Contributed with thanks to Jenny Kirkman

Court hire happiness with Jill and Geoff, Paula and Rob

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Despite the stormy start to the Cannons’ 2022 Club Championships, the event was completed on Wednesday with some awesome racing.  

The championships started last Saturday, but the wet and stormy weather made it difficult for swimming to continue.

Congratulations to Jax Clayworth for setting a record for 25m Butterfly and to Jy Parkinson for setting another record for 100m Backstroke.  

The coaches, Ken Crittenden and Mark Erickson would like to commend all the swimmers who participated in the championships.  

The coaches would also like to thank the Management Committee for organising a very successful Club Championships.

Championship highlights included Ruby Harland, Anisa Helou, Lochlan Jamieson, Lilli Bond, Jax Clayworth, Taj Murray, Holly Perrin, Remy Hedges and Daniel Saunders in fine form, swimming personal bests in just about all their events.  

Koa Harland swam a 100m IM in 2.38.68 taking a whooping 62.70sec off her previous best time, and Indi and Levi Smith both swam excellent times in their 100m IM.  

The youngest swimmer, Harry Chegwidden, aged four, swam a 25m Freestyle in 51.36sec, and Lochlan Jamieson who rarely swims backstroke, swam 100m Backstroke in 1.28.86 taking 7.29sec off his previous best time.  

Liam Filewood and Alannah Ogilvie swam super times in their 25m Breaststroke, whike Tiana Bell swam excellent times in her 100m Freestyle and 100m Backstroke each big personal bests.  

Congratulations to Jasper Korosec, Lilla Mewha, Millie Groom, James Davies and  Shailee Mewha for swimming well in longer events than they are use to.  

Congratulations to all the other swimmers who swam personal bests:  Jasper Korosec, Abi Maher, Lily Maher, Owen Maher, Scarlett Gascoyne, Zane Clayworth, James Davies, Harris Delac, Charlie Doherty, Evie Doherty, Jack Ganter, Thomas Ganter, Jacob Bell, Oli Bond, Nelson Malady, Matilda Nicholes, Celeste Orenshaw, Jy Parkinson, Addie Sanders, Nathan Saunders and Lukas Trevaskis.  

A big thank you to all the wonderful parents, coaches and volunteers for making the Club Championships a huge success.  

Contributed with thanks to Raylene Rasmussen

Jacob Bell and Ella Harland at Club Champs

Shailee J, Ruby and Matilda at Club Champs

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This week, 83 enthusiastic people ran, jogged and walked the 5km waterfront course, of whom 14 were first timers.

Cooler weather, persistence and a team of pacers enabled 17 participants to record new personal bests.

Well done to Angus, Jack, Michael, Nyrie, Trent, Carly, Gus, Bronwyn, Scott, Susanne, Kirsty, Dennis, Amanda, Geoff, Josiah, Andy and Lynne.

The event was made possible by 24 fantastic volunteers: Nick Beecroft, Bob Barford, Kara Olver, Lesley Barford, Maree Reardon (Run Director), Robyn Corrigan, Sebastian Vinci, Aimee Sulzberger, Karen Maddock, Joshua, Sarah Voigt (Photographer), Nathalie Blomme, Chris Murphy, Neale Scott, Christopher Harvey, Wendy McCall, Karen Jordan, Jillian Karon, Susanne Willmott, Ronald McCall, Liv Compton, Laura Oates, Annette Turner and Lynne Oates.

The Whitsunday Running Club provided the pacers.

The volunteer roster is already full for March 26, but no volunteer will be turned away, so send a message to airliebeach@parkrun.com if you’d like to join the team of fabulous volunteers. Saturday is milestone shirt day.

Parkrun reached a milestone of over 20,000 parkruns covering a total distance of 100,335 km.

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 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

Sam's pacing supported Susanne to gain a PB

The enormous team of volunteers

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The Mighty Pitbull Under 15 team headed south to Harrup Park to face Brothers in the Grand Final.  

Club Under 17s and Under 15s Captain ‘Deadly’ Darcy Milne started the bowling, before giving the ball to Jackson ‘Mr Reliable’ Riley(1-9), picking up an early wicket and was followed up by Jake Cremor (1-17).

From here the Brethren repelled the Pitbulls attack, and with some nervous fielding and a chance going down, Brothers went into drinks at 2-42.

Hamish Adams (1-4) was the next to breakthrough in the 18th over with the score at 3-80, lifting the Pitbulls morale after drinks.

Ben Valmadre (1-5) picked up another wicket in the very next over with the catch of the season by Mau in the deep.

A late flurry of runs meant Brothers set a target of 106 to win.

Brethren picked up Corey Stroud (4) early, and Pitbulls were 1-6 halfway through the 4th over.

Ben Valmadre partnered cousin Jake Cremor to push the scoreboard along before another well directed short ball got big on Jake and he had to depart for 10 with the score at 2-37.

The game sat at 2-47 at drinks, with 12 overs to go, with Jackson Riley (10) hit out and caught trying to push it along after returning.

Then, Valmadre - who batted brilliantly - had his stumps rattled on 49, leaving the Pitbulls shy at 4-88.

The Pitbulls then lost Grady (2) first ball of the last over and Darcy (8no) batted well and pushed hard, running between the wickets, as well as Kohan (3no) going at 100% strike rate at the crease but fell short by 6 runs in a great game of cricket.

Chins up boys, you played well and you make us Proud to be Pitbulls; we will get them next year.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Valmadre

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Despite a week of uncertainty leading into the game with player availability, weather, and ground location, a last-minute decision gave the go ahead for the under 13 grand final game at McLennan Park against the Walkerston Roosters.

The young under 13 Proserpine Pitbull Cricket side have been the benchmark all season; they had taken that momentum into training the week before the game, and the only thing left was to follow it through.

Game day, Scrubbies win the toss electing to bat.

A fired-up Captain Donny P (2-5) launched in with a new ball, catching the edge and running to the boundary. He then fired a rocket at the competition’s top scorer, which struck his pad directly in front of middle stump.

He followed this up by knocking over their number three without scoring, with a bit of brilliance from Fed taking a tough chance. This brought big Ollie to the crease.

He soon ripped into the Pitbulls attack, dispatching several deliveries over the boundary, made easier by the fact that Walkerston had changed the bowling ends before the game that suited the left-hander.

The message: “Don’t panic, fellas, stick to the game plan and go hard at the others.”

Ky P got hold of the ball and bowled a great spell (2-10) which included dismissing the locals best opener with a delivery that swung both ways, 4-49.

He was well supported by Jack V (1-5) - who swung the ball everywhere - Malakai G (1-6), Josh G (1-1), and Lewis Mc (1-18) who took the prized scalp of the Big O with a great ball on the off stump corridor, resulting in a mistimed drive to mid-off which Fed managed to keep hold of, with a great turn and run over the shoulder catch.

Scrubbies all out 84.

Message at the break: “Stay calm, bat your 20 balls, bat for 25 overs and you’ll win, but it won’t be easy.”

The Prossie openers strode to the crease.

A poor leave by Ky P (1) soon had him heading back to the sheds, and Angus H (6) withstood the onslaught for 15 balls, before being caught trying to move the score along.

Captain Donny P and “Gun Bat” Lewis Mc came together to steady the ship, both retiring at their 20 balls.

Jack V (13) then joined in and played beautifully to get the Pitbulls to 2-51, and things were looking good.

He then hit one to cover on his 20th ball, which was caught, however it was a no-ball, but whilst celebrating, was run out.

Time for the middle order to stand up; Josh G (10) and Malakai G (7) pushed the team along to 3-68 before Josh was caught behind. Malakai went the very next ball 5-68 and the pressure was building. However, Axel.G (5) and Fed.R (4) had other ideas and batted magnificently under immense pressure to get the side close to the target at 5-80.

But then another double wicket surge and Pitbulls were 7-80 with 5 runs to win and no wickets left in the shed.

The scene was set for returning batsman Capt Donny P and Player of the Year Lewis Mc to seal the deal.

The fired-up attack ripped in with Lewy on strike, dot ball, the sighs of the nervy Pits supporters evident.

The next ball, on middle stump, and what else would the “Gun Bat” do? Play across the line, clearly disregarding his father’s well-intentioned advice, and smash it for 4.

Coach, trying to hold his nerves, said, “Boys, plenty of time, no rush, no risk.”

Next ball, bowler comes in, Lewy pushes into the covers straight to a fielder, “yes” is the call, the throw is good, Lewy in trouble at this point, a draw looming, but the bowler drops it.

Job done.

The journey for most of this group started last year; the leadership group of Donny, Jack and Ky, which has rubbed off on all players.

They are a great bunch of boys who listen, are respectful, and simply love playing cricket.

Congratulations and well-done, boys. You were the best team all year by far and are deserved Premiers as you are the best.

Contributed with thanks to Mark Porter

The Proserpine Pitbull U13 Premiers

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Wednesday’s competition was a single stableford event sponsored by Bowen Golf Club, with the Ladies’ winner Janice Bates 38pts, runner-up on a countback Ruth Dunn 36pts, and Men’s winner Ian Garrod 41pts, runner up Kevin Cross 39pts.

The weekend competition at the club hosted a Single stroke event for the March monthly medal and qualifying rounds for single Matchplay.

Ladies’ winner on a rain-soaked Saturday was Sarnie Eisemann 72 nett, runner up on a countback Lynelle Riley 73 nett. Turkeys’ nests Claire Garrod, Marg Need.  

Lynelle had an OBP on #9 and won the Car wash voucher, while Men’s winner on Sunday was Ernie Parker 66 nett, runner up on a countback Tom Wikander 68 nett.

This weekend is a single stableford sponsored by Axis Sport.

Contributed with thanks to Grace Nott

The March Monthly Medal winners

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Seventeen players took part in the Vets Monthly Medal last Thursday in what were reasonable conditions.  

Scoring was not easy with the ladies’ winner being Lyn Muller (71), second Mandy Patterson (73). For the men the winner was Peter Browning (72), second Peter Fox (73) and in the run down were Colin Hounsell (82), Barry Mortimer (76).  

Nearest the pins for the ladies were Jenny (9th), Mandy (in the hole 13th) and Lyn (16th) the mens nearest the pins went to John (9th) and Vic Feldman (13th and 16th).  

Least putts went to Lyn (23) and Barry (27).  There were 4 chip ins, Peter Fox, Leanne, Beryl Nosworthy and Tina Badenhorst.

Next week’s event will be a “multiplier,” a Stableford event where you and your partner multiply your Stableford score for each hole and the team with the highest total at the end of the round wins.

Contributed with thanks to Paula McQuat

Peter Browning & Lyn Muller

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Another 'Hole in One' this week, a first for a very excited Rhys Bartholomew, conquering the 11th Hole!

Mick Bond was the Friday Prawn Run winner this week with an impressive 23 points, followed by Jay Angel and Tim Harris also on 21. Jay took the placing with a count back.

Saturdays Skins competition provided a few showers but didn't stop Club Captain Glenn Rees from playing well and taking the win.

Terry Kimpton took home two NTP prizes and Asher Ventham won the other, with thanks to Whitsunday Transit and Zambrero for the prizes.

The weather was not our friend on Sunday and competition had to be cancelled.

Next weekend a 4BBB is scheduled, however, the committee have made a change and will instead be offering an 18-hole, open stableford therefore members will be able to play at any time of the day.

Friday and Sunday comps will run as scheduled (weather permitting).

Contributed with thanks to Kate Cross

Rhys Bartholomew, this weeks Hole In One conqueror

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In very welcome cooler conditions, 65 participants ran, jogged and walked the 5km waterfront course.

Ten participants joined for their first time, plus eight participants recorded new personal bests - well done, Ben, Gus, Laura, Stephanie, Susanne, Amanda, Geoff and Josiah!

Rodger Walker and Kara Olver completed their 150th parkrun, too.

The event was made possible by 15 wonderful volunteers: Kara Olver, Margaret Coote, Sebastian Vinci, Aimee Sulzberger, Joshua (Photographer), Nathalie Blomme, Toma King, Christopher Harvey (Run Director), Karen Jordan, Susanne Willmott, James Henry, Ashley Gerrard, Laura Oates and Lynne Oates.

On Saturday the Whitsunday Running Club will be offering pacing for 22:30, 25:00, 27:30, 30:00, 32:50, 35:00 and 37:30 minutes.

The weather should continue to be cooler, so come along and try for a fast time.

In addition, this Saturday is that day that Airlie Beach parkrunners will collectively complete over 20,000 parkruns, covering over 100,000km, so be sure to come along to celebrate these milestones.

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 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

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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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