Forbes Phoenix

Sportsperson Of The Year Award Nominations A Who’s Who Of Forbes Sport

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The Sportsperson of the Year Awards will return in 2022 in a COVIDSafe format meaning there will be no presentation dinner this year as has been the case in previous years.

Nominees include rising rugby star Jarrod Hall, retired Platypi stalwart Andrew Hubbard, speedboat racer Justin Roylance, kettlebell champion Haylee Redfern and Amy Townsend, rugby representative player for the Central West Blue Bullettes. The special guest will be Jessica Pascoe.

Junior Sportsperson has 29 nominees for the prestigious gong including: Claire Little (drag racing); Beau Wheeldon (athletics); Reece Matheson (all rounder); Leroy McNamara (all rounder); Sophia Angrove (school sport); Laura Chudleigh (athletics); Sam Drane (motorbike racing); Tom Drane (motorbike racing); Campbell Rubie (rugby league); Annika Dukes (hockey); Annabelle Dwyer (all rounder); Stirling Francis (school sport); Jackson Beaudin (all-rounder); Maddox Bruem (all rounder); Eli Gharib (rugby league); Rydah Hancock (all rounder); Marcus Hardy (cricket); Andie Hodder (karate); Claudia Hodder (school sport); Charlie Howe (swimming); Rosie Hurford (all rounder); Thompson Hurford (rugby union); Gracie-May Lander (swimming); Tess Worland (swimming); Cayden Metzling (AFL and cricket); Abby Nolan-Hodges (soccer); Lachlan Wallce (all rounder); Jakiel Ware (swimming, touch, athletics, rugby league) and Dayne Hamilton (rugby league and touch).

Golfers Enjoy Their Games

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The Saturday Forbes Bus Lines Men’s Individual Stableford event saw Barry Parker get the spoils with 42 pts from Brian Everest on 41.

Division 2 players played closer to their handicaps with Les Little (37 pts) nudging Bruce Squires on 36 points. The ball sweep went to 34 points – check in the Pro Shop to see if you earned one.

The NTP’s went to – 9th – Brian Clarke, 18th – Dave Mylecharane. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to John Betland, with a shot to 4.40 metres, underlining the difficulty in the wind.

The Men’s Pennants teams travelled to Parkes with a less than exciting day for results. The Divisions 1, 2 and 3 teams played against Dubbo, with Divisions 1 and 3 recording losses. The Division 2 team had a narrow win by 3/2.

The Division 4 team played Parkes and despite losing 3/2 they were still in for a chance at the Grand Final, but Bathurst won their match 4/1 against Dubbo and pipped Forbes for the Grand Final spot by 1 point.

The Ladies competition play starts next Wednesday 3rd March. Don’t forget the 3-Person Ambrose set for Sunday, 20 March.

By Short Putt

Hot Scores In Golf

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The Saturday Men’s golf competition was an Individual Stableford event sponsored by Troy Howe Electrical. The hot day produced many hot scores.

The Division-1 was won by Jack Dobell (40 pts) on count back from Andy Brownlow of Peak Hill. Both had 24 and 16 points for 9-hole scores but were reversed with Jack doing better on the back-9.

The Division-2 players produced the best score with 41 points by Greg Webb, who has a fresh ‘Life Elixir’ to help him swing well. Runner-up was Matt Duff (40) who had an indifferent start but came home really strongly.

The ball sweep went to 35 points, on count back – check in the Pro Shop to see if you earned one. The NTP’s went to Graham Newport on the 9th and Matt Duff on the 18th. The 3rd Hole Super Pin went to Andrew Brownlow, with a shot to 2.09 metres.

The Sunday Stableford Medley had three players, all visitors, with locals either playing Pennants or sheltering from the hot day.

Do not forget the Callaway Equipment Demo Day on Thursday, 24 February. We also have a 3-Person Ambrose set for Sunday, 20 March.

By Short Putt

Redfern Lights Up In Hot Conditions

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NEW MEMBERS WELCOME: The Forbes SSAA has a bumper 2022 program and is welcoming new members. Junior shooters must be 12 years and older to participate. Follow Forbes Sporting Shooters on Facebook for regular updates.

Laurie Redfern went 22-24-20-22 total 88 to take out the Forbes SSAA sporting clays monthly shoot last weekend in searing 37-degree heat. It was one of the final hit outs before the Cliff Bradley this Sunday.

Shooters from Parkes and Tullibigeal also attended among the 10 shooters taking part. Other results were – Mathew Dent 19-20-10-23 total 72; Anthony Bratton 17-18-16-16 total 67; David Tanks (Parkes) 19-16-16-11 total 62; Ben Smith 16-16-13-13 total 58; Phil Cleal 19-16-14- 8 total 57; Des Shead 12-18-13-12 total 55; Mitchell Clarke (Tullibigeal) 19-16-7-11 total 53; Norm Brook 18-12-11 total 41 and Adrian Hodges 11-13 total 24.

The next shoot for the Forbes SSAA sporting clays will be the Cliff Bradley Memorial Trophy shoot on Sunday 13th March. The Trophy shoot is a 25 target DTL point score followed by a 100-target field shoot starting at 10am at the Bedgerebong Road Range. Wet weather will see a five-stand shoot take place after the Trophy shoot is held.

For all information on clay target shooting contact: Norm Brook 0458 664 541 or Tony Bratton 02 6852 3349.

Any person wishing to obtain a long arm firearm licence can contact Wayne Facey on 0414 524 059 to do a firearm safe shooting assessment course – a requirement for a firearm licence application.

The next SSAA sporting shooters .22 calibre and other rimfire rifles (.22 magnum or.17HMR) will be held this Sunday 20th February starting at 10am. The centre-fire shoot will take place at 2pm on Sunday after the rimfire shoot.

For all information on .22 calibre rimfire shooting contact Wayne Facey.

Members are reminded that Local Range rules apply to all Forbes SSAA ranges and should check the Facebook page for shoot details for dates and times.

Like us and follow Forbes SSAA on Facebook @ForbesSportingShooters.

Sports Shorts

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Donny Schatz Bowls Day

Mark Saturday, 5 March in your calendars for the Donny Schatz Memorial Bowls Day at the Forbes Sports & Recreation Club. Teams of three, $25pp with lunch included and prizes for best dressed. Arrive at 9am for a 10am start with all proceeds on the day going to CanAssist.

Kyokushin Karate Is Back

Kyokushin Karate is back in Forbes on Wednesday night at Forbes Youth and Community Centre. Little Ninjas from 4 years at 4:15pm to combined kids and adults classes at 5pm. Contact Senpai Tim McGrath on 0488 254 494 for more information.

Central West 3v3 Soccer Competition

Beragoo Sports are delighted to announce they have partnered with Macquarie United to bring the first-ever 3v3 Competition to the Central West. With less players on the pitch, 3v3 means more touches, more goals and more fun in the state-of-the-art inflatable fields. Hosted at John McGrath Playing Fields, Dubbo over the weekend of 26 and 27 March, the 3v3 aims to develop the skills of players from under 5s to under 17s. To register your team of three, log onto https://3v3footballmacquarieunited.cups.nu

Cowal Partnering Program

Through the Cowal Partnering Program, Evolution Mining supports Bland, Forbes and Lachlan Shire communities. Clubs and non-for-profits are encouraged to apply for funding that delivers outcomes for a number of areas including sport. For more information or to obtain an application form, email cgo.community@evolutionmining.com or call the Community Relations Team on 02 6975 4661. Applications close Friday, 25 February.

Rams Stun Bulls In U18s

Westerns Rams saved their maiden win for archrivals Riverina at the NSW Country Championships last weekend. Western Rams 30 (Cooper Ferrari, Rory Quarmby, Lachlan Lawson, Nick Murphy, Jake Roberts, Tyrone Tattersall tries; Nick Murphy 3 goals) def Riverina Bulls 20 (Eddie Tiaina 2, Kye Wright, Joseph Roddy tries; Will McDermott 2 goals)

Win 2x Tickets To Neon Netfit

Netfit Netball is giving two lucky netballers the chance to win tickets to Neon Netfit, an event hosted by Netfit Netball, Giants Netball and Origin Energy for more information visit netfitnetball.com/neon-netfit/

Forbes Out Of U21s League Competition

Five teams including Forbes have withdrawn from the U21s League competition slated to start next week. Despite best efforts, none of the clubs could get enough players. It will now revert to six teams like 2021.

 

First Rally Day And 2021 Presentations For Forbes Pony Club

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PONY CLUB PRESENTATIONS: Laurie Norris with Jake Tomlinson and Jemma Hodder at the recent Forbes Pony Club presentation. Forbes Pony Club is the biggest in the region and encourages any interested community members to come along. Photo supplied.

Cooler summer weather saw excellent attendance at the first Forbes Pony Club rally day this year, with over 20 riders participating.

President Gary Tomlinson was thrilled with the roll up that included riders of all ages. “Rally days are a great way to build riders’ skills, and for them to have fun and make new friends” said Mr Tomlinson.

“We broke riders into four groups and worked through activities such as basic drills, bending, dressage, obstacle exercises, safety tips and finished with the flag race and some six-bar jumping. It was great to see some big smiles on faces as members mastered the activities of the day.”

The event also featured the presentation of the 2021 Pony Club awards recognising significant achievements of members for the year. Former president Laurie Norris explained that many of the trophies awarded were very special, acknowledging past riders who had contributed to Forbes Pony Club, with some awards having a sixty year history. Mr Norris went on to say how proud he was of the success of these riders.

This year’s major awards winners were Tara Matthews, Holly Purcival, Tess Worland, Jemma Hodder and Jake Tomlinson (joint), Chelsie Farmer and Liz Wright (joint) and Freya Hooper.

The club would like to remind everyone that Pony Club is open to everyone wanting to learn horsemanship skills in a safe and friendly environment. Memberships are open now and to enquire contact Forbes Pony Club via Facebook or Instagram or by emailing forbesponyclub@gmail.com

Sports Clubs To Champion Mental Wellbeing

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CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: Grants will be avail-able to clubs supporting both general populations and the following priority populations including Aboriginal people, culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTIQ+ people, people with coexisting mental health, alcohol or other drug issues. The program builds on the success of the $1.1 million Mental Health Sport Fund in 2019-20. Photo courtesy of FSC.

The NSW Government is calling on sporting organisations to step up and serve some ace ideas for delivering mental health and wellbeing activities as part of a $2.8 million Mental Health Sports program.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said clubs can apply for grants of up to $150,000 from now until 6 March for activities that provide mental health, resilience and wellbeing benefits to individuals and groups across the State.

“As part of our COVID-19 mental health recovery package, we’re looking to our sporting clubs to inspire people to make their mental health and wellbeing a top priority in 2022,” Mrs Taylor said.

“These grants are intended to take conversations about mental health out of the clinic and into the clubhouse. We want people talking about how they’re going emotionally and mentally in a setting they are comfortable with. As well as being a fun recreational activity, exercise in almost any form can act as a stress reliever. Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins, distract you from daily worries and is a great way to meet new friends or catch up with old ones, making it a fantastic remedy for maintaining a healthy mind and lifestyle.”

All NSW-based sports bodies are encouraged to apply, with the aim of ensuring a spread of funding and projects across the State. Grants will be available to clubs supporting a range of groups.

The $2.8 million NSW Mental Health Sports Fund is part of the $130 million COVID-19 mental health recovery package announced in October 2021. To start your application, please visit: https://bit.ly/34HgU1f

Total Will As Valydium Wears Down Rivals

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WATCHING HISTORY: Punters from far and wide converged on Bedgerabong Racecourse for the first picnic race meeting in four months as Valydium powers home from Nepenthes and The Bald Eagle in the Total Wear Bedgerabong Picnic Race Cup; INSET: Jockey Will Stanley becomes not only the youngest back-to-back winner but the first teenager to achieve the honour in a feat unlikely to be matched.

In a story to rival any Hollywood script, Bathurst teenager Will Stanley has ridden back-to-back wins in the Total Wear Australia Bedgerabong Picnic Cup. This years win on Dubbo-trained Valydium was one of the most sensational rides since the first race at the current Bedgerabong track in 1933.

Valydium, a $12 half-chance at the start of the race, started slowly and had plenty to do with most of the ten-strong field sitting in front at the halfway mark of the race. The Michael Gray $5 chance The Bald Eagle sat at the front and it was going to take a mighty effort from the Connie Greig led Valydium to run down the pacesetters as they approached the home turn.

Yet somehow, 18-year-old Stanley, who will soon take on an apprenticeship in a bid to crack the metropolitan ranks, mustered a sensational burst out of Valydium as the Dubbo-based horse closed the gap. As the finish line approached, both horses were neck-and-neck as Nepenthes also hit top speed in a last gasp effort for glory.

Stanley, who showed the same composure only a year before when winning his first Bedgerabong Picnic Race Cup on Song One, hit the throttle and Valydium won by a length. The victory made it two from two for the young hoop as Greig and connections took honours over Nepenthes and The Bald Eagle in third.

For jockey Will Stanley though it was hard to believe. “I just want to thank everyone involved with the horse,” the rider said. “Valydium is a fantastic horse and the track and conditions here are superb!”

Leandro Ribeiro had three wins on the day while Bryan Dixon also took two with Shiny Agent and Penny’s Bonita.

Strong Field For Golf Croquet

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Golf Croquet was played on Tuesday 8th February with a good roll up of 27 players.

7/6 win scores were recorded by Joan Littlejohn, Jeff Liebich, John Cole and Elvy Quirk.

Winners of three games on the day were Jill and Kevin Rubie, Mal Smith and Lorraine Todd. Congratulations to all and especially to Lorraine Todd who has not been in the winner’s circle for a while. Well done Lorraine!

Tuesday 15th February after Croquet we will have Peter Moore join us to give a refresh lesson on using the Defibrillator.

I would like to see all members stay and partake in the lesson. Special thanks to Peter for donating his time to help with a better understanding of the workings of the Defibrillator.

It is important that our members arrive to play ten minutes early so as numbers can be sorted to start play on time. Arrive 8.20 am for 8.30am start.

A special thank you again to those very few members who come an hour early to set up – we are most grateful to them for their continued work and efforts.

By Elvy Quirk

Sports Shorts

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FORBES FINS: The Forbes Fins enjoyed some outstand-ing success and results at the Mountains and Plains Summer Swimming Carnival. From Age Champions to PB’s, the Fins are making serious waves! Photo supplied.

Forbes Pony Club Rally Day Success

Forbes Pony Club’s first rally day of 2022 last Sunday was an outstanding success. There were lots of smiles according to all reports! A note that the Zone 11 AGM is on February 15th from 7pm at the Forbes Bowling Club while Harden Pony Club will be running an ODE on Sunday March 6. To keep updated please follow the Forbes Pony Club Facebook page.

West Wyalong 50th Anniversary Knock Out

The Evolution Mining West Wyalong Rugby League Knockout is on again on February 25 and 26. It will be the 50th instalment of the popular event that attracts the crème de la crème of country rugby league west of the Great Divide. Not only is it a chance for players to have an early hit out and see how they match up against opposition groups but it will be vital for teams to establish combinations before the season starts.

Forbes Flat Track Annual Double Header

The Forbes Autosports Club Flat Track Annual Double Header is on April 2 and 3 at Forbes Hoopers Road track! There is a large amount of prizemoney up for grabs and the club hopes to see participants from far and wide. On May 6, 7 and 8th the All Australian Ride-On Mower Racing Champs will also be returning to Forbes in 2022 and should prove popular again. For more info email secretary@arolmra.net

Big Wins For Forbes Fins

A big congrats to all participants at the Mountains and Plains Summer Swimming Championships last weekend. The Forbes Fins had a huge medal haul with Leo Dwyer and Charlie Howe both winning their age groups! Well done!

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