Sports Archives - Page 52 of 164

Lachlan Dragons Win Four Medals Despite Flood Impact

November 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

The Forbes Dragon Boat Club at the Western Region Regatta at Lake Canobolas on Sunday where they won three silver medals and a bronze. The mixed team included a paddler each from Canberra and Sydney respectively.

The Forbes Dragon Boat Club did exceptionally well at the first Western Region Regatta in three years despite the flood preventing almost half of the team from participating.

Regatta coordinator Nicole Williams did a fantastic job to source some paddlers from other clubs to reach the minimum number to participate. This meant the Lachlan Dragons had fewer paddlers in the boat than most other teams, but still qualified for all the finals and came home with four podium spots.

There was great excitement for the return of this annual event and more than 18 teams totalling over 300 paddlers from the Central West, Sydney and the ACT competed at Lake Canobolas on Sunday in great weather.

The Forbes team had been training hard for the event, and the disappointment was huge for the members who could not make it across the floodwaters to participate. Club president and coach Chris Favell, who was also water locked, was devastated he could not be there, but very happy with his team’s performance in the field of strong competition.

“A very proud coach moment,” he said. “All that hard work is showing in the results. Wish I could have been there!”

The Forbes women’s team had to compete as a Waratahs team combining with members from Tsunami in Sydney, Bidgee Dragons from Wagga Wagga and one paddler from Parkes Dragon Boat Club. Having not paddled together before, the team qualified for the final after two heats, and clinched second spot in the 200m with 62.4 seconds after Colour City from Orange (61.13) and Ryde Dragon Boat Club from Sydney in third place (62.43).

The Forbes mixed team with only 16 paddlers instead of 20, came second in the 200m final (56.79) after Ryde (52.9) and Outback Dragons from Dubbo in third place (57.15).

The Forbes men’s team, with only eight paddlers instead of 10, came third in the 200m final (59.04) after Ryde in first place (53.01) and Outback Dragons second (54.54).

The Dash for Cash race is a very fast sprint over 100m, and once again the Forbes team clinched second place in 29.65 after Ryde (28.43) and Outback Dragons (30.54).

The mixed team and Dash for Cash team included a paddler each from Sydney and Canberra to bring the number to the required minimum of 16.

It was a great day for the team to get their minds off the flood devastation back home, and to give the members who had to stay behind some good news!

By Maggi Barnard

Great Event For Parkes

November 11, 2022 by Maggi Barnard

Pictured (L-R) are Parkes Shire Deputy Mayor Neil Westcott, Phil Donato MP, Parkes Little Athletics President Kerrie Edwards, Manager Parkes Coles Jacob Schneider and Western Plains Zone Coordinator Bruce Cox.

Parkes hosted the two-day Zone Little Athletics Carnival last weekend with up to 370 participants from all over the region. The athletes came from Ballimore, Cobar, Condobolin, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Cumnock, Dubbo, Forbes, Gilgandra, Gulgong, Gwebegar, Mudgee, Narromine, Orange, Three Rivers, Walgett, Warren and Wellington. The event was officially opened by Member for Orange Phil Donato MP. He said Little Athletics played an important role in developing not only physical skills but also life skills.

Flood Impacts Forbes Golf Club Program

November 11, 2022 by Short Putt

The rails on the 9th bridge lowered, ready for the overflow of water.

The impact of flood waters in the Forbes Shire has been felt by many, with varying results.

At the Forbes Golf Course the staff were mowing the greens and as much of the fairways and rough to ensure the flood waters would flow and disperse more easily. They also cleaned up around trees and structures to reduce the opportunity for flotsam to be caught.

Preparations included picking up the tee markers, mats on the practice fairway, rubbish bins, large sand buckets, signs around the course, and anything else that could float away. Covers to the electrical equipment for the irrigation system were checked to ensure they did not drift away and leave a hole for someone to fall into.

Final preparations were to lower the hand rails on the 9th walk bridge, raise the equipment in the workshop as high as possible, and to move the equipment to as high a ground as possible. This did not prove totally successful, but saved some significant impacts.

Once the waters subside the first actions will be to wash the greens and remove any silt, thus allowing them to dry. The irrigation water pumps will need servicing, as also will the mowers and other equipment before use. Inspection across the whole course will be made to identify those sites needing repair.

The irrigation system will be flushed and all electrics checked, then a test operation will be made. And flotsam and debris will be removed.

The time taken for the flood waters to subside is unknown. Obviously, this will have an effect on the golf programme, on the Summer Sixes competition, and also impact the programme schedule for next year.

As soon as possible the club officers will notify players of the arrangements for the return to our game.

By Short Putt

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!

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