Sports News

Hook, Line and Sinker

Fishing FADs

Our population has more than doubled from the days where bream catches were in cricket score numbers. There are many more lines in the water, more commercial pressure, diminishing fish stock and far better equipment, in particular fish finders and GPS systems.

The following bit of information is from NSW Fisheries.

There are 15 Fish Attracting Device (FADs) in the water off the NSW coast, including one at Byron Bay, which are reporting excellent catches. The FADs are funded by the recreational fishing licence fee and are there for the benefit and enjoyment of all recreational sectors, including boat anglers, spearfishers and charter operators. Anglers should take turns in fishing the FAD and accommodate new arrivals. Always aim to limit your catch and do not catch your limit.

Also, please do not tie your boat to the FADs. This activity has damaged the mooring lines of some of the FADs, causing the device to break free and become lost. Fines of up to $5000 apply.

Recently you may have seen a letter from the NSW Fisheries Minister concerning the proposed Cape Byron Marine Park. In that letter and the following extract from the NSW Parliament, we get the distinct impression that the Park will be up and running in the near future with very little change to that which has been proposed by the Marine Park Authority.

Ian Cohen MLC: 'My question is directed to the Minister for Primary Industries. Scientists have recommended that 20 per cent to 50 per cent of all marine waters be in sanctuary zones. How can the Government and the Ministry for Fisheries claim to be committed to the protection of the State's environment when the current figure for NSW marine waters in sanctuary zones is less than 3 per cent?'

Ian Macdonald MLC: '...Scientists have recommended as the honourable member asserted. The Lord Howe Island marine park is a 27 per cent marine park sanctuary zone. In relation to the Byron marine park, the proposal put before the community by the Minister for the Environment, the Hon Bob Debus, and by me is of 27.5 per cent, and further consultation is being conducted at the moment before a final decision is made.'

The point I wish to make is that anglers' are not opposed to the 27.5 per cent sanctuary area. Preserve even more, just not the majority of the prime fishing spots.

Call of the Loon with Laurie Axtens

It's not just cricket

It is becoming blatantly obvious that a good deal of international sport has become so completely lopsided that it has lost its value as a spectacle.

Nowhere is this more perfectly evident than on today's international cricket fields. Last week the Australian one-day cricket team completed a 5-nil white wash of the Kiwis in New Zealand. Until this tour the Kiwis were rated the second in the world. For those with Pay TV and enough time for a good snooze on the settee, the games looked increasingly like a bout between Mike Tyson and Norman Gunston. Remember this is the world number one playing the world number two.

So is it any wonder that none of the big free to air networks covered the games? In a way it's ironic that the Nine network, who helped commercialise the game in the 70s, have inadvertently killed off the sport as a commercial proposition.

Now the free to air televising of 'The Ashes' (cross yourself, say two hail Marys) has been farmed out to SBS. Needless to say the sports commentators at the alternative broadcaster looked gobsmacked when they announced they had 'won the rights' to telecast sports version of 'white bread'.

However, don't misunderstand me, I watch the Soccer Breasts and Sex station more than most and I'm over the moon they'll be covering the cricket. Though I am still wondering whether they will be using both their cameras or taking their coverage straight from one of the British channels. Whatever happens, the cricket will be interrupted by coverage of the Tour de France.

As the international game suffers under our absolute dominion, cricket followers can draw solace from the quality of our domestic game. The Pura and ING Cups have been gripping and close affairs all season. In one recent four-day match over a thousand runs were scored and a result was reached. Even on a local level the Hooker League has produced two ties and a one run win in the one-day final.

Cricket is not dead but on the international stage it is sick and fast becoming like rugby league - an entirely Australian-dominated game.

Is it time we embraced curling to even the odds?

Aqua culture carers

The Department of Primary Industries is looking for new Fishcare volunteers on the North Coast.

Fishcare conducts a variety of activities from research projects that survey the fishing community and the quality of their fishing, to advisory activities assisting fishers to know about the bag and size limits of fish and sustainable fishing practices.

Volunteers must be over 18.

Information on the Fishcare Volunteer Program and nomination forms can be obtained by visiting www.dpi.nsw.gov.au and following the prompts or by phoning Mark Asquith on 6652 0918.

Spirited fighters

Ben Skennar, deep in concentration during the Kata (or ballet) element of the black belt contest at Alstonville Leisure and Entertainment Centre on Saturday morning.

Northern Rivers Japan Karate fighter Neville Stroud-Watts wins through to the final in the Kumite (bouts). Neville ended up coming second to fellow Northern Rivers fighter, Luke Baker.

Local blackbelt Tim Potter strikes snake-like during the open division Kumite.

Kylie Kennedy and Ben Skennar were singled out for special mention at the end of the Queensland Japan Karate Titles, which were held at Alstonville's Leisure and Entertainment Centre over the weekend.

Ben and Kylie picked up silver and bronze medals in the black belt Kumite and were also honoured with the Senior Spirit Award. This award recognises participants who go beyond the call of duty, who aid in the free flow of the event and whose behaviour exemplifies the spirit of fair competition.

Zijuan Elsol was also awarded the Colour Belt Encouragement Award from among dozens of coloured belt contestants. This important award came on top of her silver in the under 150cm colour belt Kumite (bouts) and bronze in the Kata (ballet).

Two other local fighters who performed particularly well were Luke Baker and Shane Paterson. Shane took out first in the 160-170cm brown belt Kumite, while Luke pipped fellow Northern Rivers fighter Neville Stroud-Watts to take out the open men's brown belt Kumite.

Locals Thomas Ross (junior blackbelt Kumite), Naill O'Sullivan (men's colour belt Kumite), Supriya Grandham (brown belt 160-170cm Kata), Joshua Elsol (beginners under 150cm Kumite) and Hayden Lewis (beginners under 150cm Kumite and Kata) also figured in the medals.

A pair of bronzed fighters

Local judo exponents Takashi Watanabe, Alan Foley and Asheigh Foley picked up two bronzes and a silver medal during the NSW State Championships at Sydney's Olympic Park recently.

Queensland open champion, Takashi Watanabe, fought hard for the men's over 81kg division was only narrowly beaten by a very skilled Olympic fighter to walk away with the bronze medal.

Lismore coach Alan Foley lost only once on his way to a bronze medal in the under 100kg heavyweight category. The loss came against a massive Olympic fighter who outweighed him by 40kg. Alan's daughter Ashleigh Foley also did exceptionally well in the under 16yr under 57kg young women's category, earning a silver medal.

While Alan, Ashleigh and Takashi were in Sydney, Glenn Mancell and Charlie Laidlaw were away in Brisbane developing their coaching skills. Glen and Charlie both successfully completed the Level 1 National Coaching Accreditation Scheme course.

Clarke's Academy Award

In the strong sporting tradition of cross dressing, Tony Clarke (aka Mistress Medium) channelled the spirits of Marilyn Munro and Sir Bobby Moore for the launch of this year's Lismore's Masters Games at Lismore Workers Golf Club on Monday.

Earnest local sports organiser and administrator from the North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS), Tony Clarke, has won the 2004 NSW Sports Administrator of the Year Award.

In a ceremony at Sydney Superdome, Tony won out against some very high profile sport administrators to take the top award.

Chairman of the NCAS, David Parkinson, said that both he and the NCAS board were delighted that Tony had received the gong.

'The award shows how well Tony has been performing since joining the NCAS in 1999,' David said.

Asked how he felt about winning the award, Tony was quick to acknowledge the support of others involved with the NCAS.

'If it weren't for the 70+ volunteers regularly contributing to NCAS through any one of our 12 sport programs or various sub-regional and management committees, there is no way the NCAS would even exist,' Tony said. 'When you have the pleasure of working with so many people volunteering their time to the NCAS as either a coach, manager or committee member, it's not hard to be enthused by their commitment, energy and efforts.'

Turn coats to turn tables - Soccer FNC

The ANZAC Cup will get under way this weekend with a double header at Shultz Oval in Bangalow highlighted by defending champions and recent winner of the inaugural 7s tournament, Byron Bay, taking on local rivals Bangalow at 8pm.

Fuel will be added to their rivalry by the desertion of four Rams to the Bluedogs; Brendan Parkes, Glen Sheldrick, Floyd Pandava and Satis Sthapit, the Nepalese striker.

The preceding match between Richmond Rovers and Ballina will start at 6pm. Rovers have lost a lot of players in the off season and will field a new look team under debut coach Craig Hamshaw, former Rovers keeper.

The Ballina side, though basically unchanged from last year, have recalled Dean Klower to coach the squad. Ballina have never won a premiership or even an ANZAC Cup so they will be looking for a potent start to the cup season.

Italo Stars will be hosting Casino Cobras at Barrow Lane in North Lismore. Ironically, Stars have also resigned deadly striker Wayne Mortimer and midfielder Scott Crieghton who both played with Casino last year. Casino has been decimated in the off season and will struggle against Stars' powerful line-up, who will be fired up under the coaching of one time star striker Kevin Wilson.

After two years in the wilderness of first division, Goonellabah Hornets will make their much-awaited return to the premier division ranks this Sunday at Woodburn at 5pm, when they take on a depleted Maclean.

Goonellabah's new signing, Matthew Olley, will rekindle his relationship with coach Renato Cheli. Last time the pair worked together, Olley took out the Golden Boot award with a record 31 goals, while Goonellabah took out the premiership double in 1996.

In the other match Workers should make light work of Thistles at Thistle Park on Sunday at 5pm.

Golf with Stan Bendall

Winning the Lismore Workers Golf Club's prestigious Easter Carnival can open the doorway to professional golf. Just ask Jeff Senior, Kyle Woodbine and Paul Dalgleish - three golfers who have transformed their success on the Lismore Course into success on tour.

Lismore's 54-hole stroke play tournament is the largest Easter golf carnival on the North Coast and has been going for more than 30 years.

Local Lloyd Kelly was the nett winner of the open last year, and after a year as trainee pro under Peter Jaeger, his chances of repeating the win look good, although plenty of talented young Queenslanders will be coming down for the event.

The open is run concurrently with the Richmond River Amateur Championship. Lismore's rising star and state representative golfer, Rhein Gibson, won this championship last year but he will not be able to defend the title as he is in the midst of a five-year golf scholarship in Colorado.

The East carnivals will be held on the Lismore course starting Friday, March 25, going through to Sunday, March 27. The nomination fee is $40 (3 days) or $17 per day.

Six clues to coaching kids

Get on board with Coach Geoff Baxter

Why are you coaching?

Make sure you are coaching for the 'right reasons.' What are the 'right reasons?' Write down five reasons why you want to coach a team and read it to one of your students. They will know. Hint - 'To Have Fun' must be in the top five.

Planning

You would not take off on a trip without a road map would you? Well, neither should you embark on a season without a plan. Take some time before the season starts to decide WHAT you want to accomplish, HOW you want to do it, and WHY you want to do it?

Keep them busy

With organisation comes many benefits. Organised practices allow you to make the most out of any practice times that you have together. Plan your practice times so that you minimise any standing around. If players are active and having fun they are more likely to be focused during practice. Remember ages 4-6 typically have shorter attention spans.

Be creative

This should be true for you and the kids. You will be surprised how focused they will be for a one hour practice if games are used to teach skills or if they know something special is coming at the end of practice. Sometimes it is beneficial to do something special even after a frustrating practice.

Realistic expectations

You are probably going to have between 12-14 kids on your team. The best you can hope for is that half of them will understand the game fairly well by the end of the season, and if that is the case, thank your lucky stars. Do not expect to take your team and 'whip them into a finely tuned offensive and defensive machine.' Anticipate teaching key skills, developing players and keeping them from getting hurt.

Keep practices short

Do not try to cram too much information into a short practice. Remember the ancient Chinese proverb about how to eat an elephant 'one bite at a time.' Smaller bits of information are easier for these young minds to process and retain.

Remembering Grenville

Ben Daley - Speedway

Memories of Grenville Anderson's spectacular driving exploits came flooding back for many racing fans during last weekend's inaugural running of 'The Grenville' Super Sedan Memorial at Lismore Speedway.

The familiar nostalgic call of 'around the outside, here comes Grenville Anderson. Anderson on the highline moves into the lead' came into the minds of many as they watched the 50-lap race in honour of Grenville Anderson, Australia's best ever speedway sedan driver.

Drivers from Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales all contested the event.

But it was Queenslander Mark Pagell who held onto a comfortable lead to take the win ahead of fellow Queenslanders Jaimie McHugh and Wayne Randall.

Pagell started from pole position, shot straight into the lead and was never threatened.

McHugh struggled with setup issues, as did Randall, but both were able to maintain their positions.

In the Modified Production Sedans, Brisbane's Garry Brown secured himself yet another win in the Withcott Seedlings/Smart Salads Modified Production Sedan series.

Brown took over the lead late in the 30th lap when race leader, Aussie champ Peter Lack, lost his left rear wheel. John Swarbrook followed Brown home in second and Brett Barron third.

The heats brought about a few drop outs due to mechanical problems and minor damage, however, there was nothing minor about the damage to Queenslander Craig Mellor's vehicle when he made contact with two other competitors.

The contact launched Mellor's commodore skyward and then threw it into a wild and violent rollover. The commodore ended up rolling at least six times, twice in the air, before coming to rest on its roof.

Thankfully Mellor, though shaken and stirred, emerged from his now very second hand car unhurt.

Drivers and teams now have three weeks to prepare for the Carter Racing Team/Wants Transport Australian Modified Production Sedan Championships. 64 nominations have been received for the event, which will be held on Lismore Speedway over the Easter long weekend.

Baseball muster

Far North Coast Baseball will hold the first of two muster days this Sunday, March 13, at Albert Park in Lismore from 10am. In addition, 'Come and try' afternoons will be held every Tuesday for the next few weeks at Albert Park from 5.30pm.

Netball coaching

Netball NSW is offering 'Speed, agility and quickness' training next Saturday, March 19, at Ocean Shores Public School Hall from 10-1pm.

For further information, enrolment forms and bookings phone Leslie Kirk on 6680 5329 or email her on lkirknetballnsw@bigpond.com.

Cavaliers fight to the death

Alan Nolan took off from the top of his run with his signature skip and sprinted toward the bowling crease. This was the fourth ball of the last over. Souths needed three to win. The ball fizzed down the leg side, the Umpire stretched his arms to signal wide. Souths tailender Craig Bateman ran, Len Blok sent him back but it was too late, the wicket keeper, Andrew Shields, had thrown down the stumps.

Souths were now 8-172 as Dale McDonald hurried to the wicket. Nolan turned again and fired down a good length ball. Dale swung and missed, now Souths needed two from three. Next ball, another swing and a miss, the credit squeeze was on. Souths needed 2 from 2 balls. Dale stepped inside the next Nolan missile only to hear the sickening sound of his leg stump being knocked over.

One ball remained. A single would salvage a tie. Paul Fredricks made his way sedately to the wicket. Nolan turned again, this one was fast and full. Fredrick's swung. The ball collided with his middle stump. The Cavaliers and all their supports roared, they had retained their one-day title by a single run.

Before play started on Friday afternoon at Oakes Oval, a stomach illness had knocked out Souths premier batsman and spinner, Paul McLean. McLean's absence would prove to be a crucial factor.

Casino had won the toss and batted. Bateman and Blok's bowling was sharp and the Cavaliers were in trouble early, losing 2 for 8. This bought young Sam Irvine to the wicket. Stylish Sam has been in very good form and when he was caught off a no ball from Bateman and dropped by Blok from his own bowling, the writing was on the wall.

Sam championed the Cavaliers innings with an excellent 77.

In reply, Souths looked to be cruising at 2 for 76 with Michael Nind (27) and Rex Parish (36) at the wicket. The prodigiously talented Nind looked extremely determined, and with Parish just starting to open his shoulders Souths appeared to be in the box seat. The turning point came when Casino Captain, Adam Shields, ran down a ball and fired a throw back over the stumps from deep third man to run out Nind.

Len Blok (26) and an injured Richard Nind (26) batted with great aggression and could have won the day except for the heroics of Nolan, who was just too good at the death.

LJ Hooker League finals

In a torrid match on Oakes Oval, Lennox Head outrighted Workers Club to pinch a spot in the finals ahead of Casino and Ballina. They will now face last year's premiers Souths back on the haloed turf of Oakes Oval.

Lennox's win was on the back of an all round performance, with six of their top seven batsmen getting away to a good start. Openers Paul Everingham and Mark Denmeade have been regularly getting the lakesiders off to a good start. They will need to continue this if they are a chance to upset Souths.

Lennox captain, Shaun Savage, has cast aside his seamers to take up offspin. He has managed the change to great effect, taking 5-31 in Workers' second innings.

Souths haven't been required to play much spin this year and considering their desire to attack, Savage might well be able to buy some wickets. Souths need only shut out Lennox to progress, but do they have the patience?

In the other semi final Norths Goonellabah RSL will once again take on the might of Tintenbar East Ballina. The last time the two teams meet, only three weeks ago, The Bar cruised to victory, losing only three wickets in overhauling the Hawks paltry 95. On that occasion the Hawks lower order went belly up on the extra grassy Neilson Park pitch. This weekend they meet on the batsman friendly Heaps Oval.

The semi finals will be played over two days this weekend. Play will start at 12pm on Saturday and go through to 6.30pm, with a minimum of 95 overs to be bowled.

On Sunday play will commence at 10am and go through to 4.30pm. A minimum of 100 overs will be bowled on the second day.

Horsing around

Hey horse lovers, would you like to try endurance riding? If you're interested now is the time to contact the Summerland Dressage Club and to start getting your horse in training.

The next Summerland Dressage Club endurance ride will be at New Italy, near Woodburn, from April 9-10. The weekend will include a 22km ride on the Saturday afternoon and a 40km ride on the Sunday morning.

The track, on quiet forest roads with little traffic, is very easy, well marked and has checkpoints with water along the way.

It is an ideal ride for pony clubbers doing their K certificate.

Horses will be required to pass a simple vet check before and after the ride.

It's an excellent chance to meet friendly people willing to help you learn what endurance riding is all about.

For more info phone Joy on 0416 293 345 or Toni on 6684 9185.