Sports News

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

Smarting from perception

Lesser editors have their sports writers dumb down their output for the sporting audience, setting foolish sub-standards because they believe that sporting interest and academic excellence are somehow incompatible. The reality is that awards for scholastic ability accompany sporting blues more often than not. Students who become involved in sport tend to show an increase in academic results. Physical activity aids mental activity by increasing blood flow to, and oxygenation of, the brain.

In my final year at high school the top classes were dominated by sportsmen and women.

A quick survey of Oxford Dons' curriculum vitaes proved useful as virtually every one of the Dons had something in their sport 'interests' column. Wheelchair-bound brains, such as Stephen Hawking, are the exception, not the rule.

Too often our attention is focussed on the questionable intelligence of a few footy boofheads at the expense of the vast majority of sportspeople, who have an above average intelligence.

One key example of that intellect is the Sydney Swifts netball team. Captain Lis Ellis is a corporate lawyer, and the rest of the team includes a bank manager, a bank analyst, a teams administrator, seven tertiary students and one post-grad student.

Shouldn't it be the work of a sports writer to hold and challenge the intellects of the great sweaty majority rather than spoon-feed a tiny minority with bland clichés?

Even our local sportsmen and women who have no academic qualifications are as a general rule as cunning and shrewd as any parliamentarian. They loath being talked down to and are sent to sleep just as quickly as the rest of us by statistics.

For too long sports writers have been asked to wheel out the same old mind-numbing clichés to appease the gods of ho hum, so the 'real' journalists don't feel challenged.

In reality, the English language, for all it subtlety, barely has the where-with-all to aptly describe the exhilaration of a Sinclare-like diving catch or to find words which could tell of the feelings involved as 40,000 delirious fans bellowing 'yes' as the Wallabies cross for a deciding try in the last minutes of the game.

To typify sportspeople as monosyllabic grunts is to maintain a myth, which is as preposterous as it is lame. Sports people are as or more intelligent than the general Aussie. Don't be fooled by the 'oi oi oi' - Australians love a challenge be it on the paddock or in the dictionary.

In any case, aiding and abetting the dumbing down of the nation is an offence that should carry a criminal penalty.

After all it is stupid nations which allow greater inequality and consequently suffer higher crime rates.

Woods exemplary

Southern Cross University's senior lecturer in sports management, Terry Woods, was honoured recently with the Exemplary Service Award at the 10th anniversary of the Sports Management Association of Australia and New Zealand (SMAANZ) in Melbourne.

The award was in recognition of Woods' outstanding service and sustained contribution over more than a decade to sport management education on the international stage.

Dr Shayne Quick, former SMAANZ president and Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Waikato, acknowledged Woods' contribution.

"This international honour furthers his impressive achievements as he has also received an Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to the development of Australian sport and the Southern Cross University Award for teaching excellence."

Terry Woods, a foundation member of the SMAANZ Board, was critical to its establishment. SMAANZ is now the leading global sport management association. He has been instrumental in the establishment of the international journal, the Sport Management Review.

Along with his colleagues at SCU, they've forged strong links with the International Olympic Committee, International and National Sporting Federations and other universities throughout the world.

Meanwhile, Terry's own research has been acknowledged by the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association and last year attained a Master of Laws (Distinction) from one of Europe's leading sport law universities.

AA National opening

The 2005 AA Under 16 National Baseball Champions begin this Friday, January 7 on Baxter Field at 9am, with an official welcome to the participants from Lismore mayor Merv King and Australian Baseball Federation representative, Rick Healy, who will wish them luck in the 9-day tournament.

Games will commence at 10:30am (Baxter Field) and 11am (Thew Field). Night games will occur every second day and into the finals. Entry is free.

A detailed draw is available on the website at www. fnc.baseball.com.au.

Follow the links to the AA Nationals.

Elvis on a roll

Well it was one for the money, two for the money, three for the money as renowned Elvis impersonator, Craig Teys, joined forces with Wynnum Manly's Jeff 'the maestro' Dolan to take out the lucrative Summerland pairs competition at the Ballina Bowls Club over the Christmas holidays. The pair defeated the local pairing of Micheal Anderson (Byron Bay) and last year's singles winner John Lang (Evans Head) in a close final,17-14, over 21 ends.

Even without his blue suede shoes Teys was drawing shot beautifully, as were all the bowlers. This was so much the case that barely an end went with out a 'toucher' being bowled and the jack being slowly moved into the gutter.

The match began with a set of shorter ends being rolled but it became obvious that 'the Maestro's' driving game was too powerful and as the match progressed both teams were rolling long ends.

Dolan's skippering was both tactically astute and animated, as the big man skipped down the green after many of his bowls. When 'the maestro' wasn't yelling advise to Teys, or following up one of his own bowls, he was busy consuming a stream of stubbies. Often it looked like he drinking two at a time as he finished one and started directly on the next. All of the contestants were giving it a nudge - and not just the jack.

During the gripping encounter, Teys and Dolan, drew and drove themselves to an early lead, 5-2 after five ends, and maintained that lead through out the match.

In contrast, Anderson, the Byron Club greenskeeper, was off line a number of times. He looked to be falling off the pace but to his credit, the young gun drew a series of shots over the last few ends and the toucher he bowled in the 18th end, through a crowded head, was top shelf.

Anderson and Lang were behind by a mere two shots on the last end and if 'the maestro' hadn't stymied the 20th end the locals would have been in the lead.

Anderson needed the perfect finishing bowl. He needed to split both of Teys bowls and roll the jack back to the far right. He managed to dislodge one but it wasn't enough as the Ballina singer and the Manly maestro took out the $3000 purse 17-14. It was the first time since 1997 that a Ballina bowler had featured in the pair winning team.

Best from the Bush

Country Championships

The nation's best regional cricketers have gathered on the Northern Rivers to battle it out for the Australian Country Cricket Championship during January.

The first of the five rounds began on Tuesday, January 4, with NSW Country and Victoria Country playing on Oakes Oval, Queensland encountering South Australia on Heaps Oval and East Asia Pacific and the Western Australia Country teams travelling out to Casino for their match on Queen Elizabeth Park. Each game is played over two days with a maximum of 100 overs per side.

Questions have been asked whether the local pitches can cope with 200 overs, but given the bowler friendly habits of the local decks, it might be more reasonable to ask whether the visiting batting line ups can last 100 overs?

Local batsmen have often resorted to batting out of their crease by up to a yard to cut down the swing and movement from the pitch. Many of the more successful players also hit through the line, lofting the ball into the often-unprotected outfield. But then, local teams rarely bat more than 60 overs.

Country Victoria, having won the toss, batted and got away to a solid start against NSW. The Mexicans had not lost a wicket in the first hour to be 0-51 after 16 overs on a placid Oakes Oval pitch. Victoria's opening pair of Sammy Arnett and Jason Mathers looked comfortable on the well-rolled track. Arnett had even clobbered two mighty hook shots for six before the introduction of leg spinner, Ben Woolmer. Woolmer is quick through the air and his style of spinner is very well suited to the local pitches, which take spin but are a little slow. He had two wickets within three overs and Victoria looked all at sea against him at last sight.

South Australia also won the toss and batted and started cautiously to be 0-40 before accurate right arm seamer Ben Cust picked up two wickets with consecutive balls. His success brought SA captain Brett Lydeamore to the wicket. Lydeamore is a compact batsmen and though he hadn't been at the wicket long he already looked assured.

Under 12s

The Lismore District Under 12 Junior Cricket Carnival has been running for 22 years. This year the 12 teams from as far away as Queensland's Sunshine Coast and Illawara are visiting to take on two local teams.

The two young local squads began the competition in contrary fashion. Far North Coast Gold restricted Hunter to 8 for 141 with some excellent fielding. One run out was a direct hit from fine leg. In response Luke Hamilton put together a well constructed 19, Brenton Parrish (16) and Ryan Howard (25) also looked good in their stroke play but it was a excellent 31 not out by Daniel Winkler-Maloney which guide the Golden youngster to victory.

In contrast, Far North Coast Green were bundled out for 58 with only Cory Wright (11) making it to double figures. Their total was overhauled before 2pm.

Neil Hellyar and Paul Attewell from the Goonellabah RSL Club have already put in stirling work organising the catering and co-ordination for the carnival.

US in with a chance

Steve Francis will be competing for the US this Saturday at Lismore Speeday

Lismore Speedway fans can look forward to tight competition this Saturday night as the star-studded United States Super Sedan team hope for a repeat performance of their recent win in round three of their international series against Australia.

Trailing 2-0 in the series the American quartet of Steve Francis, Bert Cheatham, John Gill and Charlie Swartz overcame a series of setbacks on the night to emerge victorious by just one point, 68-67, on Boxing Day in Yandina.

Meanwhile, Aussie champion Peter Lack survived a flying smash, but his vehicle was forced out in the last of the qualifying rounds of Modified Production Sedan series at Lismore Showground on Boxing Day. Just half a lap into the final heat race, Lack made an impressive outside pass on a number of cars entering turn three, but was hit by another driver, pushing Lack into another car and became airborne before hitting the wire catching fence nose-first and coming to rest on the wall in front of the main grandstand. Lack emerged unharmed to the cheers of the supportive crowd.

The race restarted minus Lack and Garry Brown started at pole for the feature race along side Price, Ferguson, Worling, Learoyd, Halley, Downes, Balzer, Jolley, Jacobi, Resuggan, Flood, Jordan and Maroske. From the green light it was Brown, Price and Worling who sprinted away to set up a three-way struggle for the lead.

Only one lap remained when a second yellow flag halted the race again. The first time it was for rubble on the track, the second was for Greg Worling's VT, which had blown its engine. The race was declared and Garry Brown was the winner ahead of Price and Ferguson with Learoyd and Downes filling the top five positions.

Though unsuccessful on the night, Jason Jolley turned heads with his immaculate new VY Commodore. Once he fixes a few teething problems the car should be a major contender come Aussie title time at Easter in Lismore.

Don't miss the Quayside Motors USA v Australia Sedan Test  at Bartercard Lismore Speedway this Saturday, January 8 at 6pm, along with the deciding round 3 of the Mr Modified Series. 

Robbo - speedway's local champ

It's a family thing for the Robinsons: the national V8 Dirt Modified championship trophy.

Lismore's Mark Robinson is the new national V8 Dirt Modified Champion. He secured the title in a 30-lap decider at Brisbane International Speedway recently by out pacing former Australian Champion Stuart Herne and Newcastle's Tony Sneddon.

Mark's victory is especially sweet, emulating the efforts of his father Steve Robinson who also was National Champion.

Qualifying out of position 7 in the 30-lap feature, Mark made his way up to second by lap 12, using the pole line on a drying track to advance himself. Mark realised the high line was too soft and took the conservative option to take the title.

" After I saw Tim Morse and others go backwards trying to use the high line, I new that the bottom was the place to be. The front axle broke as I was giving back the chequered flag after the victory lap, so I guess I had my share of luck as well."

Coraki wins over ladies

Coraki Golf Club has secured the rights to run the $15,000 Ladies Pro-Am on Sunday, February 6. The Australian Ladies Professional Golf Association sanctioned Coraki to host the Order of Merit event after the club ran it last year with great success.

Six of last year's field went on to make the US Open, six also qualified for the British Open and one, Lorraine Lambert, won on the LPGA European Tour. Another competitor, Kylie Pratt, won the Palm Meadows Pro-Am on the Gold Coast the week after playing in Coraki and Ann-Maree Knight was 3rd in the Australian Open.

"While it is too early to say just who will be playing in 2005, we feel assured of a real quality field, with a number of international players coming," Coraki Golf Club president Neil Clark said. "More than 40 lady professionals competed in the inaugural Coraki Pro-Am. This year all indications are that as many, if not more, will be coming.

"We've received many letters of appreciation from lady professionals who competed last year, saying that they really enjoyed the day and will return if possible", Mr Clark said.

Mullumbimby local Nicole James won last year's tournament.

The Coraki organisers have been able to retain the sponsorship of Optus World and Sony Erikson, Carlton United, Mid-Richmond Plumbers, Strammit, Eagle Plumbing, Budget Eyewear, 88.9FM and NBN Television for this top class event.

A full weekend of activities planned, including a pre-tournament dinner on the Saturday night.

For further information, please phone Neil Clark on 0429 929 083 or Peter

Cordery on 6628 7910.