Sports News

Hook, Line and Sinker with Lindsay Doust

Park petition time

Those of us getting "a little long in the tooth" can recall the history of NSW Fisheries over the years. At times, it has been a stand-alone department and at times a minor part of NSW Agriculture, to which it has returned now. Fisheries, Agriculture, Mineral Resources and Forestry are now one government department. One can only hope that as Fisheries was always regarded as the smallest government department, it will not be totally swamped in its new environment.

Have you signed the petition asking for a fair deal for anglers in the Cape Byron Marine Park? Are you preparing your submission for the closing date at the end of November? A petition is available for signing at Suffolks Sports Store, 79 Keen Street, Lismore. If you need a copy that you could use in your area or workplace, there are spare copies.

So often we run photos of big fish caught, but very few ever run across a trophy fish. Most of us seek out nice table fish
- a bream, flathead, whiting, snapper etc. Today's picture is of a very happy angler with a nice table sized bream.

The severe dry spell is proving hard on many, especially farmers. It is also signalling that our estuarine species such as flathead and bream have moved far upstream. Flathead reported recently from above Lismore. Bass are good at Casino on lures and the Wilson Arm is also starting to produce.

The trout season for the coming months opens this weekend and a number of Lismore people are heading to Ebor, our nearest trout fishery. There are so many streams at Ebor and such a large area that if you have not been there before, a guide can be helpful to not only unlock some spots but also the techniques, flies and lures that seem to work best.

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

The Revelation of St Loonaris

In the right hand of one sitting on the velour I saw a pimpled canister of ferment and on the canister there was a seal and the seal was broken. Upon his chin there was spittle and froth from the nectar of the grain and before him sat the sacred arc, the arc of the NRL and the arc gave forth a glow of many colours.

Upon the surface of the arc appeared a flat pugnacious face, the face of the one they call Gus the almighty. And Gus spoke in an unbroken chain of clichés, and his voice was particularly annoying and whinney and Gus pour-ed forth great wisdoms saying, "that at some stage the Cowboys are going to have to think about winning this one." Verily, Gus is a false god, for Gus harbour-ed a deep love of the Chooks and though he speak-ed of the Golden Calf with affection he wish-ed for nothing better than the boys from Townsville be smash-ed into tiny little pieces by Freddy. For Gus so loved the Fittler that he wished that he was his son.

This is why the everyman, who is seated upon the velour with the canister of the spirit turn-ed his back upon Gus and walk-ed away to the refrigerator muttering, "Tell us what you really think, you lying gerbil."

Upon his return-ed to the great seating place he who is everyman offer-ed forth a sigh. And the sigh became a prodigious moan as he gazed upon the score line which sea saw-ed back and forth until the final whistle when the Roosters crow-ed 'victory' by a mere three points.

Verily Lord Gus and his legion of bookie mates were pleas-ed. Alas, however, everyman and everywoman descended into depression for they could not think well of either of the grand finalists due to their begetting and smoting throughout the year. So it is written.

Masters - expressions of interest

Rainbow Region Masters Games organisers are hot on the trail of new sports for the upcoming series. Eight ball billiards, darts, croquet, snooker, inline hockey, cycling and canoeing have all been mentioned as possible candidates for the next games. All that is needed is someone to organise the specific events, take their part of the profit share arrangement and sell some refreshments.

This is a great opportunity to catch the wave of Masters Games sweeping the country. Last year the local games drew over 2000 competitors and bought over one million dollars into the local economy. That's a lot of profit to share.

So if you're a club official, hotelier or just a mad keen enthusiast phone John Bancroft on 6622 8147 for an information pack or e-mail the bloke on john.bancroft@lismore.nsw.gov.au.

Netball - Arrive Alive

Tanya Lund of Hunter Jaegers netball fame (pictured) will visit three high schools and the Netball NSW Association in Lismore from October 10-11 to share her netball expertise and important road safety information with young students. Tanya's visit is part of the NSW Motor Accidents Authority sponsorship of Netball NSW, where high profile players become role models encouraging young women to be responsible road users by sending the 'Arrive Alive' message.

Each presentation focuses on identified road safety issues confronting young women including their role as passengers and how to communicate with the driver when they feel unsafe.

This message is an important one as MAA compulsory third party (CTP) insurance claims data reveals young women are more likely to be injured in car crashes as passengers. According to the CTP, from July 1989 to June 2003 10,470 young women aged 17-20 were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

Tanya's visit to the Far North Coast kicks off next Sunday, October 10, with a clinic at the Marie Mackney Courts, Ballina Street, Lismore, from 10am. The visit commences with a road safety awareness presentation followed by netball skills sessions on attack and defence.

On October 11 Tanya will visit Kadina High School in the morning, before heading off to Lismore and Alstonville High School. Each school presentation will be for students in years 10, 11 and 12.

For more information phone Leslie Kirk on 6680 5329.

On the ball

Brittany Yopp and Matt Hall were two of the 64 top young players who fought out the inaugural the Barbers Cup between Manning Valley and Richmond River at the Lismore Tennis Centre last Saturday.

The event is to be held twice a year between the two regions, with next event scheduled for February/March 2005.

This time the Richmond River squad came away with the silverware, but it was a close run thing as the two teams both shared the lead at one stage.

Country Judo Championships - Martial Arts

The New South Wales Country Judo Championship will be held at the Lismore PCYC this Saturday and Sunday, October 2-3. Saturday will focus on the divisional bouts, while Sunday will be exclusively for the Lismore Open Championship.

Divisions covered by the competition include: Boys and Girls Under 10, 13, 16 and 20, Young Men, Young Women, Senior Men, Over 40 Senior and Over 40 Womens. Weigh in will start from 8.45am with half an hour for each division.

For more information phone Glenn Mancell or Alan Foley on 6621 6276.

Walk for pleasure

NSW Sport and Recreation is encouraging seniors to join one of the many Walking for Pleasure groups on the North Coast as part of Active Ageing Week (Sept 27-Oct 3).

NSW Sport and Recreation regional manager Paul Hernage said there are many health benefits associated with walking.

"As well as the health benefits of regular physical activity, there are other advantages to joining your local Walking for Pleasure group such as the chance to meet a new network of friends and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the North Coast," said Mr Hernage. "So grab a friend and a good pair of walking shoes and kick-start a regular walking routine with your local Walking for Pleasure group."

For more information phone NSW Sport and Recreation on 6687 7168.

Rugby holiday first

Seventeen local rugby players made history on Norfolk Island recently by being part of the first rugby union game ever played on the island. Rugby league was the only code played on the island before August this year, when the Far North Coast Golden Oldies ran on in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

Bodyboarders

The seventh round of the Headlanders Bodyboard Club was held on Sunday, September 26, and competitors were greeted with glassy but small 1ft-2ft surf at North Wall Beach, Ballina.

Matt Tyndale finally found some consistent form cruising to the Dropknee final, only to be pipped at the post by the ever-consistent Chris Clarson.

Congratulations to Dylan Wiehahn, who made it to his second junior final for the year, but was eventually beaten by Ben Martineau.

Ben made it a double, taking out the Open Division as well, just ahead of Chris Clarson.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, this was the last Headlanders round for the year. This will mean that the presentation will be moved forward to late November. Watch this space for more information or go to www.oneightee.com.

Restrictions on modifieds

In an effort to ultimately save money for the competitor, the Australian Modified Car Association (AMCA) division has introduced a "restrictor plate" for competitors this season.

The plates fit in between the carburettor and the inlet manifold, and have two holes to suit the inlet, although somewhat smaller in size.

The new piece of equipment has had a less than favourable response from many drivers, mainly due to the short time frame to have them installed before the new season.

"We have just had our engine dyno tested, and I'm not overly keen to change things," one driver said. "This might stop a few of the guys from cheating."

Restrictor plates have been used in various divisions, mainly in an attempt to reduce the speed of racecars. The inlet manifold has been a problem area for the AMCA division, with various problems arising from competitors modifying the original parts to improve performance.

The restrictor plate is just one of a number of changes introduced to the AMCA division, with varying levels of acceptance.

The Bartercard Lismore Speedway V8 Dirt Modifieds will get underway on November 6.

Lismore Speedway schedule

Nov 6: V8 Dirt Modifieds

Dec 4: Late Models

Dec 26: V8 Dirt Modifieds, Mr Modified Round 1

Jan 8: USA v Aust Super Sedan Test, V8 Dirt Modifieds, Mr Modified Round 3

Jan 26: Sprintcars

Feb 19: V8 Dirt Modifieds, NSW Title

Mar 5: Grenville Anderson Super Sedan

March 25: Production Car Title Practice

March 26: Production Car Title Night 1

March 27: Production Car Title Feature Night, V8 Dirt Mod Easter Trail

April 23: Super Sedan East Coast Grand National Night 1

April 24: Super Sedan - East Coast Grand National Feature Night

May 7: V8 Mod rainout date.

Table Tennis claims title as the healthiest sport - Table Tennis

Recent studies have shown that table tennis, formerly known as ping pong, is now widely considered as the world's healthiest sport. This is due to the low injury rate among competitors, fitness promotion and the ability to be played by people well into old age.

The Lismore facilities at the Goonellabah RSL Sports Club are second to none.

All the tables are of international standard and the Taraflex flooring used in the Athens and Sydney Olympics is the very same as the Goonellabah facility.

The summer competition is currently in full swing in Lismore with four divisions being played. These divisions comprise over 20 teams.

The summer competition will run every Wednesday evening until early December and will culminate with a presentation night and Christmas party on December 15. New players are eligible for a free paddle. For information phone Jim Armstrong on 6624 5153.

Buenos Aires or Bust - Cricket

Last year's Under 14 point score all rounder, Andreas Hellyar, sporting his Emu Chicks shirt.

Local lads Andreas Hellyar and Stuart Rose from Lismore, Myles McDowell and Dylan Black from Casino and James Everingham from Lennox Head have been selected in the Emu Chicks NSW Country Cricket squad, which flies out for a tour of Argentina this November.

The boys have been invited to take part in the three-week tour based on their attitude to the game, rather than just their cricket ability, though each is a superb young prospect.

The boys will commence the tour with a couple of days sightseeing at the magnificent Iguassu Falls on the border of Brazil and Argentina. They will then get down to some serious cricket in Buenos Aires and Rosario. The Chicks will play against a range of club and school teams, consisting mainly of players who will be a couple of years older than themselves.

In the final week of the tour the boys will be living at St George's College in Buenos Aires where they will take part in a tournament with St George's College, a South African touring team, Argentine XI and the Emu Chicks. The purpose of the tour is to assist the Argentineans in developing their cricket, and to enable our lads to experience a different culture using cricket as the vehicle.

Each of these fine young flannelled ambassadors are required to raise around $4000 dollars to pay for the venture.

One of the lads, Andreas Hellyar, will be selling raffle tickets, lamingtons and cakes at the Carboot Market in Lismore this Sunday, October 3. Andrea's second major fundraiser will be a trivia night at the Goonellabah RSL Sports Club on October 15 at 7pm. On auction will be an Australian one day cricket shirt signed by Adam Gilchrist, a signed Qld Bulls cricket shirt, a poster signed by the Wallabies and a Roosters shirt signed by the grand final squad.

This is a great chance to have a fun time with the family and help out a young cricketer whose sound technique, excellent skills and positive attitude could take him a long way.

Crickets great guides

Highly respected local cricketing veterans Geoff Gaggin (manager) and Roger Boyd (coach) will again be looking after this years Under 17 North Coast Zone team during the Country Carnival in Sawtell over the weekend of October 29-31.

Last year the pair guided the Under 17s to victory in the Northern Zone Championship with the help of the prodigious young batsman Tom Cooper (pictured). Cooper left on Tuesday to join the Australian test team for the training and strategic part of their Indian tour.

Of last year's winning line-up, only one player remains, Mitchell Harvey, who is ironically already in India as part of the Under 15 NSW touring team.

Apart from Harvey's left arm swing bowling, wicket keeper captain Brendan Davis is expected to perform well after his positive showing in the Mid Winter Under 17 Carnival at Gloucester.

Wesley Koskela from Evans Head is a very promising tall left arm finger spinner and could be difficult to manage on the dry Sawtell pitches.

Of the other locals, Matthew Legge is a fairly sharp opening bowler, while Alstonville's Josh Murphy is a most promising left arm quick and should have the opposition hopping about at the crease early on.

Sam Dietrich from Casino is a solid right hand batsman who did well in the statewide Under 16 Bradman Cup last season and should prove difficult to remove.

Of the four teams that will contest the carnival - Newcastle, Central North, Central Coast and North Coast - Central Coast looks like the team to beat. Last year, with basically the same squad, they won the Under 16 Bradman Cup. The carnival will be used to select the Country North team.

Get in the swim

The Lismore Indoor Swim Team (pictured) topped the point score to take out the Far North Coast Winter Carnival Sprint Shield in Alstonville earlier this month.

The 38-member squad, who train in the ozone treated and heated pool at Summit Sports & Fitness Centre on Ballina Road, Goonellabah, swam numerous personal bests at the meet.

For more information about joining the club phone 6625 2025.

Junior rugby grand finals

In the Under 13s, Wollongbar downed the unbeaten Lismore 20-10 to take the Ray Sargent Trophy. Flanker Chris Miller bagged two tries for the winners giving him a total of five for the finals series.

The Under 15 grand final went into extra time after minor premiers Lennox Head and Ballina were locked together 12-all at fulltime. Mathew Barnes scored a sensational 75-metre try for Lennox and hooker Matthew Bordin crossed twice for Ballina. The scoreline was unchanged after extra time and both teams were declared joint premiers.

Three penalty goals to Lismore captain Barry Williams gave City a 14-7 victory over Tweed Casuarina in the Under 17s. Lismore opened the scoring with a fine try to fullback Jarryd Wilson but the Baa-baa's hit back with a smart converted try to halfback Mitch Ridgeway. Good defence from Lismore and Williams' goal kicking assured a win for the minor premiers.

In the Under 11s exhibition match, between northern and southern pool minor premiers Wollongbar Red and Wollongbar Black, the Blacks took out the title 26-0.

Softball Trials

The softball season begins on election weekend, Friday and Saturday, October 8-9, with grading games before the season starts in earnest. Two new clubs have joined the fray this year - Ballina Bears and the gay pride club Blue Sistas - increasing the number of clubs in the competition to 11.

Juniors and many other grades will still be looking for players so drop down to Albert Park next weekend and introduce yourself.

Teeball for 5, 6, 7 and 8 year-olds starts on Saturday at 8.30am.

Modball for 9 and 10 year-olds is held Saturday at 10.15am.

Under 13s play Saturday at 8.30am.

Under 15s play Saturday at 10.15am.

Seniors in the afternoon. Men's competition on Friday night.