Sports Archives - Page 50 of 162

International Hockey Players In Parkes Next Weekend

November 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Parkes Hockey Incorporated (PHI) is getting ready to showcase Parkes as a premier regional venue when the first ever Hockey One game will be played out of a capital city in Parkes on 12th November. PHI officials are (L-R) executive direc-tor Richard Rice, women’s director Mandy Westcott, treasurer Tracey Chambers and event manager Ian Westcott.

Excitement is building for the biggest hockey day ever to be held in Parkes next Saturday when up to 11 international players will be in action at the McGlynn Park.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch Kookaburras and Hockeyroos in the NSW Pride and Canberra Chill teams on 12th November in the first ever Hockey One match to be played in a regional centre.

Parkes Hockey Incorporated (PHI) organisers are expecting a crowd of around 1,000 people with local hockey star Mariah Williams the biggest draw card on the day. The 27-year-old has been a lock in the national squads for the past decade and has made over 100 appearances across all national levels. Mariah has played a pivotal role in the 2022 instalment of the NSW Pride campaign.

Event Manager Ian Westcott from Parkes Hockey Incorporated said he would love to see local people getting behind the event.

The men’s and women’s matches in Parkes will be the final games for the second season of the Sultana-Bran Hockey One League and will decide the make-up of the final series to be held in Bendigo the following weekend.

The NSW Pride teams will feature a number of Kookaburras and Hockeyroos with some players returning from stints in the powerful European Hockey Leagues. This will also be the first taste of Australia’s Hockey One league for these returning superstars of the game.

In addition to these international superstars there is a mix of great young locally developed talent as well as some up-and-coming stars of the game.

This will be the first time a Hockey One game has been played out of a capital city and is a joint venture between Parkes Shire Council, Hockey NSW, NSW Pride and Parkes Hockey Incorporated.

“Hockey NSW is delighted to be partnering with the Parkes Shire Council and Parkes Hockey Incorporated to bring the only Hockey One game to regional Australia. It’s a wonderful opportunity for hockey enthusiasts and the broader community in and around Parkes to enjoy elite sport and we are expecting a capacity crowd on the day,” said Hockey NSW Chief Executive Officer, Emma Highwood.

Both games will be streamed on Kayo Sports, with the broadcast commencing at 3:30pm.

Parkes Hockey will also be hosting a junior clinic on Saturday morning free of charge run by Glenn Johnstone -Hockey NSW RPC.

A Celebration of Hockey dinner will also be held at the Parkes Golf Club on Saturday evening with Jamie Dwyer as guest speaker. Jamie has won the World Hockey Player award six times was voted 5-time MVP. He will tell his hockey story and guests will be able to mingle with Jamie and a host of other Australian players. Tickets for the Clinics and Dinner can be found at the links below.

• Clinic: https://www.123tix.com.auevents/35611/hockey-coaching-clinic-with-nsw-pride-act-chill-players

• Dinner: https://www.123tix.com.au/events/35542/parkes-hockey-inc-presents-a-night-with-jamie-dwyer

• Tickets for the games are available via Ticketek at https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=HOCKEYNS21

Impressive Results For Local Physie Girls At Zone Championships

November 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Lachlan Valley United team are (L-R) Rachel Bilsoborough, Ana Phillips, Eleanor Osborne, Deniesse Donaire, Sarah Hayward, Emily Riches, Danielle Hornery, Willow Frost and Louise Donnelly.

More than 60 members of Lachlan Valley United (LVU) took part in the annual Physical Culture Zone Championships held in Parkes last month with great results.

The dedication and hard work from our committed teaching team and members saw our little country club come away with some very impressive results, including six zone champions, 21 places, 17 finalists and two teams placed first.

They competed with clubs from Wagga- Wagga, Orange, Pinnacle, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orana, Mudgee and Parkes.

Our members should be extremely proud of their amazing club spirt and sportsmanship displayed over the two days. Our club received so many compliments on all levels from other teachers, sectors and competitors. Proud just doesn’t seem to express how impressed we are with everyone involved.

Physie has been in Condo for over 40 years, yet it is still relatively new and misunderstood by so many. It’s an extremely technical dance sport including Jazz, Ballet, Pilates and contemporary dance. Competitors need flexibility, control, memory and stamina to be able to compete successfully.

The LVU team was awarded first place in the 5-6 and 9-10 age division. In the individual champion girl age sections results were as follows:

• 5 Years 1st Zone Champion Adella Sloane, 2nd Stephanie Hornery

• 6 Years 1st Zone Champion Harper Taylor, 2nd Ava Charters, 3rd Annabelle Barras, 4th London Sloane, top 12 finalist Mahalia Larry

• 7 Years 2nd Aleigha Hornery, 4th Molly Betland, Top 12 finalist Sienna Small

• 8 Years top 12 finalist Anabel Allen, Lucy Miles

• 9 Years 1st Zone Champion Georgie Stewart, 2nd Willow Frost, 4th Danielle Hornery, top 12 finalists, Eleanor Osborne, Stella Jarick, Harlow Smith

• 10 Years 1st Zone Champion Emily Riches, 2nd Ana Phillips, 3rd Deniesse Donaire, top 12 finalists Ruby Howarth, Elise Milne, Rachel Bilsoborough,

• 11 Years 1st Place Zone Champion Maddi Hornery, 2nd Grace McDonald

• 12 Years 1st Place Former LVU Student Maya Doyle, 3rd Zoe Fraser

• 13 Years 2nd Place Karla Osborne, 4th Lacey Osborne,

• 14 Years 1st Zone Champion Caitlyn Milne, finalists top 12 Zoe Bilsoborough, Emily Miles, Tayla Venables,

• Beginner Novice ladies: 5th Emma Buckland, Top 12 finalists Bri Reardon, Amy Milne, Kaycee Walsh, Lauren Fraser,

• Intermediate Ladies: 3rd place Emma McGee, 5th Beth Betland, finalist top 12 Beth Osborne

• Open Ladies finalist top 12 Nakeria Clark

All our place winners will now progress to represent LVU and our Central west Zone at the Physie National Championships to be held at Olympic Park Sydney at the end of November.

We wish our seniors and quaffing ladies the best as they travel to Homebush this weekend to compete in their individual age divisions. Our senior and ladies teams compete the following weekend at Olympic Park. This will be the first time LVU has presented ladies teams. We can’t wait to share their progress.

By Louise Donnelly

At the back (L-R) are Lily Waller, Sarah Hayward, GraceAllen, Rubie Howarth, Elise Milne, Louise Donnelly and Hollie Miles. In front are Emily Riches, Ana Phillips, Deniesse Donaire and Rachel Bilsoborough.

Two Trundle Champions Qualify For Nationals

November 4, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Toby Morgan (left) and Isabella Skipworth are both very excited to have qualified for Nationals in Brisbane.

Two Trundle para-athletes have qualified for nationals after competing at PSSA State Athletics Carnival at Olympic Park in Sydney recently.

Toby Morgan and Isabella Skipworth both qualified for NSW Athletics team to compete at the School Sport Australia Track & Field Championship in Brisbane later this month.

Toby, who is a Year 4 student at Parkes East Public School, not only came first in the junior boys multi class 800m event, but also broke the record in the T34 200m event. The NSW record was 1:28 and he ran it in 47 seconds!

Isabella is a student at St Patrick’s Primary School in Trundle and she became the champion in multi-class discuss with a distance of 12.80m.

Toby has spina bifida, a condition that affects the spine, and his parents were told he would be in a wheelchair all his life.

Toby’s mum Kelly said they were extremely proud of Toby’s achievement. “When Toby was born, he had surgery on day one to close the lesion on his back and have a shunt inserted in his brain for his hydrocephalus,” she said. “Following the surgery, the neurosurgeon advised us that Toby would be in a wheelchair, however he has proven him wrong.”

She said Toby started walking a bit before he was two with the aid of a walking frame. “At that time his feet were almost turned backwards. His walking improved and the physio told us he would likely use the walker until he started school.”

He only used it for about six months and started walking on his own.

Toby wears splints on his legs as he has absolutely no muscle in his legs below the knees and partial paralysis in his feet. This however doesn’t stop him from playing soccer, tennis, touch football and now athletics. He went to State earlier this year for Cross Country.

Three Life Members For Croquet

November 4, 2022 by Pegging Out

We had 26 players for Aussie Croquet last Saturday. It was good to be back after all the rain and to see a nice sunny day. There were six players who won three games: Sandy Hepburn, John Browne, Merv Langfield, Elvy Quirk, Nevillle Spry and Bill Scott.

BIG WINNERS

14—8 Elvy Quirk and John Job; 14—9 Elvy Quirk and John Browne, Sandy Hepburn and Ray Burridge, John Browne and Alex Todd.

After our games we held our annual general meeting and election of office bearers: President – Elvy Quirk; Vice-President – Kevin Rubie, Secretary – Colleen Liebich; Treasurer – Elvy Quirk; Vice-Treasurer – May Jones; Committee – John Browne, Neville Spry, John Farah, Ray Burridge and Allan Jones; Publicity Officer – Tony Thomson.

Three members were made life members for their untiring work for the club. Congratulations to Elvy Quirk, Neville Spry and John Browne!

We had 28 keen players on Tuesday who dad to duck in and out of showers of rain. There were five players that managed three games: Ray Burridge, John Farah, Kevin Rubie Mal Smith and Peter West

BIG WINNERS

11-2 Peter West and Mal Smith; 10 – 3 John Browne and John Job, Colleen Liebich and John Farah, Peter West and John Job.

SOME CLOSE GAMES

Allan Jones and Neville Spry 7 Merv Langfield and Noel Jolliffe 6; Jill Rubie and Bruce Field 7 May Jones and Tony Thomson 6; Noel Jolliffe and Jenny Job 7 Bill Scott and Rex Toole 6; Ray Burridge and Peter West 7 John Job and Allan Jones 6; Noel Jolliffe 7 Fay Picker and Carolyn Neilsen 6; Kevin Rubie and Ray Burridge 8 Elvy Quirk and Bruce Field 5; Iren Ford and Bill Scott 8 John Job and Vince Roberts 5; Dorelle Scott and Mal Smith 8 Marie Spry and John Browne 5; Kevin Rubie and Alex Todd 8 Vince Roberts and Fay Picker 5; Elvy Quirk and Bill Scott 8 Neville Spry and Rex Toole 5; John Farah and Iren Ford 8 Colleen Liebich and Tony Thomson 5; Marie Spry and Jill Rubie 9 Sally Perry and Rex Toole 4

By Pegging Out

Parkes Golf Foursome Championship

November 4, 2022 by Peter Bristol

The Parkes Golf Club held its annual 27-hole Foursomes Championship on Saturday. The club also had a successful Breast Cancer Awareness Day, co-ordinated by Leonie Stevenson.

In the men’s division 1 Aaron Wilkie and Joe Van Opynen were the winners with a 113 only 6 over par for the day. In division 2 the pairing of Ross Smith and Wayne Parker won the event for this year.

In the men’s A grade nett Ian Hendry and Peter Bristol took out the event and Ross Smith and Wayne Parker were successful in the men’s B grade nett.

In the ladies A grade Anita Medcalf and Dale Matthews were winners in the scratch in front of Kathy Jeffress and Kristine Smith. Anita and Dale won the nett event 4 clear of Cathy Kelly and Colleen Staples. In the ladies B grade scratch Kaye Inglis and Jenny Hoy were successful. Kaye and Jenny also won the nett event.

The Nearest The Pins this week were: Idlerite Tyrepower 1st by M.Skene at 244cm, the Griffins Leading Edge 4th by Joe Van Opynen at 275cm, the Dirt Doctor Landscaping 6th Colleen Staples at 270cm, the Parkes Ready Mixed Concrete 9th by Anthony Riach at 197cm, the Harvey Norman 11th by Damien Noll at 93cm, the Westlime 15th by Steve Betland at 300cm and the Central West Glass 18th by John Betland at 45cm. The lucrative 6th hole was won by Colleen Staples at 270cm this week.

For the ladies Jenny Hoy won the B grade 4th, Colleen Staples won the 6th and Jacqie Charlton claimed the C grade 11th.

Ball winners were: Ron Hetherington and Trevor Chatman 108.5, Michael Thomas and Max Keith, Peter Magill and Brendon Simpson 109.5, Ben Howard and Anthony Riach 111.5, John Green and Luke Clarke 111.75, David Stevenson and Craig Matthews 112.

This weekend is the Telescope Tyres & Batteries/Hankook Masters Monthly Medal. Griffins Leading Edge Putting Competition in conjunction / Wally Norman Memorial Medal. Final of the Medal of Medals Sponsor – Parkes Betta Home Living; Final of the Putter of Putters Sponsor – Griffins Leading Edge.

By Peter Bristol

Women Trot Out For Bowls

November 4, 2022 by Lea Orr

Melbourne Cup morning dawned clear with a fantastic turnout of 33 keen bowlers in bright spring-time outfits (covered by warm jackets) who hoofed it out onto the turf to try their luck.

Twelve ends of blue-ribbon play saw Sue, Rosemary and Joe accept the laurel and cash for the first gallop.

Dazzling bowls in the Diamond League of Game 2 by Rhona, Fran and Darryl, out-classing the field to take the win and cheque.

Catering in the Birdcage was in full swing –many thanks to Sandy and Lea and allthe helpers who took a turn.

As Cup time drew closer, Gary conducted an entertaining auction of saddle cloth numbers, much to the amusement of punters and onlookers! Well done Merilyn, scoring the best result for a small outlay. Thanks to Rhona for the fabulous raffle prize. Lucky Bob Freeman tucked that in his saddle bags!

The best of luck to our triples team, Jan, Marja and Liz, contesting the playoffs of the District Triples in Forbes tomorrow.

The final of the club Minor Pairs will be played next Tuesday: K Craft/L Ryan vs C Curteis/L Baker

By Lea Orr

Denise In Australian Hockey Team For Fifth Time

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Denise Gersbach and Maureen Massey, with Graeme Thompson on the right.

Parkes hockey player Denise Gersbach has been selected in the Australian Over 50s team to compete in the Trans-Tasman Challenge in Christchurch, New Zealand in May next year.

Denise will be representing Australia for the fifth time in New Zealand.

Two other Parkes players have been selected as shadow players for Australian teams.

Maureen Massey as a shadow goalkeeper for the Australian over 65s team, and Graeme Thompson as a shadow player for the Australian over 45’s team.

Unfortunately for Maureen, Australia could not select an over 70s team, which is Maureen’s age division, due to a lack of numbers on New Zealand’s part. This means Maureen had to compete with the 65-year-olds for a spot in the team.

If Maureen gets called up it would be her eighth time to represent in the green and gold.

The Trans-Tasman is a three match tournament between Australia and New Zealand for men and women’s teams from over 35s to over 65s every second year.

The men have an over 70s age division.

We keep our fingers crossed for Maureen and Graeme, and congratulations to Denise!

A Sunny Day For Bowls

October 28, 2022 by Lea Orr

Tuesday morning dawned bright and sunny and attracted 17 ladies to the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club for a social roll up.

We welcomed a couple of new belles to our very social group. Thanks to Joe D, Judy Chambers and Judy Nobes now know the basics of lawn bowls! Lynn Ryan and Lea Orr followed up the training, combining with the newbies in a friendly game of pairs. Hope you enjoyed yourselves, girls, despite the caffeine withdrawal at 11am!

The Grade 3 Pennants ladies teamed up for some extra practice in preparation for the State playoffs next month. Brenda Davies/Di Howell/Maureen Miller/Liz Byrne came away with the win against Marja Iffland/Heather Harvey/Rhona Went after playing some impressive close ends.

A well-matched game of triples resulted in Gwenda Carty/Maureen Baillie/Rosemary Mitchell just going down to Frances Charlton/Kay Craft/Joan Simpson on rink 2.

Maureen M, Marja and Judy C each pocketed cash in the 100’s club (that should entice Judy back to cover her next green fees)!

Next Tuesday, 1st November is our Melbourne Cup Spring Carnival for a 10am start. Mixed 2-bowl triples, 2 games of 13 ends. Teams will be drawn after this Saturday, so please put your names down at the bar! $20 covers lunch, green fees and bubbles. Non-players lunch $10. Wear Spring mufti and join in all the excitement of cup day. Sweeps are already available at the club.

Looking ahead, the final of the Minor Pairs Championship will be contested on 8th November, between K Craft/L Ryan vs C Curteis/L Baker. Good luck to each of you. Social Roster: Rose Mitchell

By Lea Orr

Gary Wins Minor Singles

October 28, 2022 by Marthy Tighe

Gary McPhee is the 2022 Minor Singles champion.

The final of the 2022 Minor Singles was played on a heavy green at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club on Sunday.

Mick Simpson, who has taken the bowls scene by storm this year, played last year’s runner-up Gary McPhee. Gary has been in scintillating form of late and was the favourite for the title, which was played in front of 20 spectators under humid conditions.

The first 7 ends belonged to the underdog, as Mick didn’t hold back, leading by 10 shots to 5, helped by a classy 4 on the second end. Gary held his nerve, picking up a 4 on the ninth end to bring the match to level scores, as both bowlers delivered, and then defended draw shots and their shots near the jack.

Gary eventually regained the lead and was leading by 18 to 15, after which he was never headed, demonstrating his experience in the big moments, and won the title by 25 shots to 16.

Both Bowlers played great bowlers and it was unfortunate that there had to be a loser in the final. Congratulations Mick Simpson on a great singles campaign in majors and minors grade this year.

Last Thursday’s social bowls were washed out again, and on Saturday only 10 social bowlers took the punt on bowling a few ends and they managed to reach the jack occasionally, before the next rain event swept across the greens.

By Marthy Tighe

Jessica Wins Prestigious Award

October 28, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Jessica Ashcroft with her NRL Award.

“When they announced the award and the prize, I thought in my head ‘oh wow that would be nice, especially watching the NRL grand final’, and then next minute my name was called up!”

Jessica Ashcroft of the Forbes Magpies was named the 2022 Women in League Award winner recently.

She had no idea she was nominated for the NRL award, which is presented to someone who has acted as an exceptional advocate for the advancement and opportunity of women in rugby league.

“I had so many mixed emotions and was shocked and excited, but most of all proud. Everyone knew except me! When I was standing up there, I had to say a speech and to be quite honest I couldn’t say much as I was still speechless.”

Jessica has played rugby league for Forbes Magpies Junior Rugby League Club from a young age and is an exceptional player for the club’s senior competition. She always looks for opportunities to pass on her knowledge and skills to others.

She has been described as a wonderful role model for the youth of the club, girls, and boys. Coaching the under 8s, refereeing for the club and mentoring upcoming referees are just some of the ways Jessica makes a significant impact on youth at her club.

Going forward Jessica said: “My goal within the footy aspect would be to referee at an NRL game. This has been a goal of mine for a while and I’m slowly getting there refereeing different ages and events. I went to Tuggerah, Central Coast to referee the women’s state titles.”

She said the recognition of the award had inspired her to push harder and further as a referee and player.

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