Sports News

Laurie Axtens

Call of the Loon

Singing the Packer swansong

Throughout his reign as Australia's wealthiest man, Kerry Packer became the less-than-invisible hand behind professionalisation of sport in Australia. During this time the mogul involved himself in the day-to-day running of his media empire, where his incredibly common touch had a significant effect on the ethos of our country. Packer's bullying and brutally rude style of aggressive jingoism was increasingly taken on by national teams as they set about grinding down their opposition, ie. burying them so deep in the s*!t that you'd need a microscope to see the top of their heads, as Packer himself might have put it. These tactics of identifying and shoving the heads of tall poppies down the dunny has proved extremely effective as our nation has come to dominate world sport, well at least until last year.

Last year foreign teams found a way to counter Australia's grinding professionalism; they enticed their crowds to sing inspiring anthems such as Jerusalem and the Marseilles .

In response to these rich, poetic and deeply inspirational songs, Australian crowds can chant Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi! Now obviously I can't speak for Australian players but I'm not exactly inspired when I hear that chant.

When someone as powerful as Packer dies an opportunity arises to change the direction and ethos of a nation. As I listened to last week's Test match crowd all I could hear was the nagging chant of 'Nel is a w#*ker'. Is that it? Is this as good as it gets? What about Bruce Woodley and Dobe Newton's I am Australian . It's a positive, rich and spiritually uplifting piece and I can imagine a 40,000-strong crowd singing it with great passion. Whether we embrace Woodley and Dobe's work or come up with something new I encourage you and sporting administrators across the country to have a look at the lyrics we aemploy in the sporting arena and find a way to inspire our crowds to be encouraging rather than demeaning.

Sure, it would take real leadership and at present we still live in the dark and dirt-common age of the last emperor, but there is hope.

There is so much more to this country than bleating 'Come on Aussie, come on'. We have a chance now to reach for the stars rather than just settle back into the cesspit. We need to put our generosity of spirit, which is profound, back into our everyday cultural experience. Now is the time to wipe the s*!t from our eyes, to open our hearts and minds, and lead the world not just on the scoreboard but in spirit as well.

On your bike

Children on the North Coast have the chance to try out an exciting new activity these school holidays - mountain biking. In a fascinating initiative, the Department of Sport & Recreation has teamed up with Mountain Bike Tours to offer a mountain bike tour of our region's natural treasures.

"This is an opportunity for children to discover the magic of the North Coast's Nightcap National Park while enjoying an exhilarating ride through various trails," said Karen Howes from the Department of Sport & Recreation. "Not only will children enjoy the spectacular views of Minyon Falls, Mount Warning and Rocky Creek Dam, but they will also learn all aspects of bike safety plus historical information about the park and surrounding area."

Martin Miller from Mountain Bike Tours is an experienced cycle coach and has cycled all over the world including places like Switzerland, France, Spain and Holland, as well as managing a cycle tour company in Stratford-Upon Avon. Mountain Bike Tours was winner of both the NSW Tourism Award and the Northern Rivers Regional Tourism Award in 2004.

The program will held on Thursday, January 19, from 9.30am-4.30pm commencing from theLake Ainsworth Sport & Recreation Centre. The cost is $105 and includes all equipment, transport, morning tea and lunch.

Bookings are essential so enrol early. Phone 6687 7168.

Robbo right on target

Mark 'The Missile' Robinson was right on target at the Bartercard Lismore Speedway on Boxing Day night to win round one of the Southern Cross Ten Mr Modified series.

Robinson, in the Valvoline entry, took the overall points lead in the prestigious series with arch rivals Luke 'Lightning' Oldfield and Stuart 'The Hitman' Hearn in second and third respectively.

Robinson's season didn't get off to the best of starts. An engine failure in practise for the season opener saw him in a borrowed car and then a drive shaft failure in his next outing at Lismore again saw luck against him. So it's fair to say he was due for a change of fortune.

During the closing stages of the 50-lap feature Robinson held off every charge by Hearn to maintain his lead, while Oldfield made a miraculous entry to the podium to capture third after being eighth with only four laps to run.

Bartercard Lismore Speedway is known as "the home of the brave" for good reason; it's a fast and tough racetrack to master and it takes plenty of courage to win there. Congratulations Mark.

Sheridan to lead Rovers

At the age of just 22 Tim Sheridan is set to lead Richmond Rovers Soccer Club as captain/coach in the 2006 Soccer FNC Tursa Premier League season. The giant striker, who went within a hair's breadth of playing for English Premier League club Everton, is thought to be the youngest player to ever coach a local club in the top flight.

Sheridan will lead from the front in many ways this year for Rovers; firstly with his height and brilliant finishing in the box and secondly as a player's coach, leading his team in the gruelling fitness work necessary to dominate at a local level.

Sheridan will conduct Rovers' first training session at Bill Harris Field this Sunday, January 8, from 5pm and invites any new players to go along and try out for the squad.

Kayaking and caring for the environment

NSW Sport & Recreation is once again offering an Eco Kayaking Tour on the river in Ballina these school holidays for young people aged nine to 15 years.

"The tour is a great opportunity to experience kayaking in a safe environment and learn about seabirds and the local marine estuary environment," said Karen Howes from NSW Sport & Recreation. "The kayakers will also make a visit to the Ballina Seabird Rescue Centre."

The one-day Eco Tour will be conducted by Ballina Kayak Tours on January 19 from 9am - 12.30pm. The tour costs $44.

For more information or enrolment forms phone 6687 7168.

Surfing - a DVD for beginners

In response to a growing demand to provide novice surfers with the tips on how to catch and ride waves, the Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI) has published the Learn to Surf for Beginners manual and DVD. The manual and DVD are specifically designed for beginners to give them the background knowledge and understanding to get them up and riding small waves with confidence and safety. The ASI has also published a Learn to Surf intermediate level package for more experienced surfers. Both are now available from surf shops, book shops and newsagents, or visit the website at www.academyofsurfing.com.

Getting clinical in the waves

With participation in surfing on the increase, NSW Sport & Recreation has teamed up with various surf schools these school holidays to give children the opportunity to join this fantastic sport or further develop their skills.

Experienced accredited instructors from Surfing Byron Bay, Summerland Surf School in Evans Head and Liquid Assets Adventure Tours in Coffs Harbour will provide professional advice on safe surfing, skill development, rips and currents, plus the etiquette of surfing.

NSW Sport & Recreation is encouraging boys and girls to come and try their skills at surfing and experience the thrills of riding a wave. Each clinic is aimed at children in the beginner and intermediate level.

Programs will be run over two days with children receiving a safe surfing certificate at the completion of the program.

The cost of each program is $105. The Evans Head program kicks off on January 19 followed by programs at Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour on January 23, all from 8.30am - 4.30pm. For bookings and information phone 6687 7168.

Another victory for the environment

The winning team in the Parade of Competitors at the annual qualifying carnival late last year in Lismore was the Lismore Indoor Swim Team.

The Parade of Competitors in the annual qualifying carnival in Lismore late last year inspired some creative marine-themed entries. The judges finally awarded first prize to Lismore Indoor Swim Team's environmentally aware jellyfish.

In all 200 swimmers from as far away as the Gold Coast and Newcastle converged on the redeveloped Lismore Memorial Baths for the annual qualifying carnival hosted by Lismore Workers Swim Team. There was a lot of interest in the new upgraded facility with swimmers from distant clubs competing in the new pool for the first time. The host club's newly purchased semi-automatic timing system was a hit with swimmers, timers and officials, and contributed to the smooth running of the event.

Pura Cup fever

Local hero Matthew Phelps has continued his form from last year and should hold his position in the middle order for the Speed Blitz Blues when they take the field against Victoria in Lismore on January 16.

Is it the 40-degree weather? Is it the thought of Warnie text messaging their girlfriends? Or it it just the prospect of the best domestic cricket in the world coming to Lismore that has cricket fever on the rise throughout the Northern Rivers?

One thing is for sure: the long-awaited return of state cricket to Oakes Oval has local cricket buffs beside themselves with the thought of watching some of the best quality willow on leather in their own backyard. The top-of-the-table Pura Cup clash gets underway on Monday, January 16, and there are still tickets available for anyone who wants to see the best state players in action.

"The last state cricket match on Oakes Oval was the best part of 30 years ago," said Lismore Council's event manager, John Bancroft. "And we're over the moon about finally getting another one. We're really keen to do our best for this event, particularly with a view to attracting more games. We at Lismore City Council, with the help of the Far North Coast cricket executive, have been bidding for as many big events as possible and this match is a great win for us all."

Bushrangers' strike bowler Allan Wise has been bowling with great pace and control and could prove the difference in the big game.

Council has spent millions of dollars over the last few years revamping Oakes Oval and until recently it hasn't really drawn the high profile matches that the quality venue deserves.

The match itself between the NSW Speed Blitz Blues and the Victorian Bushrangers is shaping up to be a amazing battle between two teams brimming with prospective Australian players.

Tickets are $17 for a four-day pass from the Station Hotel and Summerland Sports in Lismore, Thrifty Link Hardware in Evans Head and Private Life in Byron Bay.

Elvis and The Maestro end up short

Former New Zealand Commonwealth Games representative Bruce McNish drives into the head early in the Ballina Pairs final in Ballina last Thursday.A stoney-faced Glen Bailey stays aloof as Craig Teys wills a bowl into shot.

Evans Head's Craig 'Elvis' Teys and Jeff 'The Maestro' Dolan from Brisbane's Wynnum Manly Club lined up to defend their Ballina Bowling Club Pairs title last Thursday. In their way stood 10th ranked pair Glen Bailey and Bruce McNish from Musgrave Hill in Southport. A gripping encounter ensued as the pairs drew and drove with great accuracy and consistency. Teys and Dolan would have felt happy with the first four ends as they got away to an early 8-nil lead in the 21 end epic. In fact the defending champions held a dominant position until the 10th end when McNish trailed the jack with his final bowl to capture four shots and bring the Musgrave Hill pairing within three of the champions. McNish, a former New Zealand Commonwealth Games representative, then repeated the dose, posting another four shots in the 13th end to capture the lead - a lead they would never relinquish.

Although the match didn't possess the showmanship or bravado of last year's final where Shane Globits and Dolan did their level best to out hoot and holler each other, this game was full of tension and gritty gamesmanship with each pairing crowding the mat as their opponents bowled.

Of the other local bowlers to excel during the competition, Byron Bay's Michael Anderson and Evans Head's John Lang made it through to the semi finals when they went down to the eventual champions Bailey and McNish 19-11.

This Friday, January 6, the tension returns to the Ballina Bowling Club with the start of the Ballina Singles. The event should be a colourful affair with last year's champion, Shane 'The Entertainer' Globits, a late entry.

Under 12s heat up

Far North Coast Gold batsman Jake Hellyar sweeps this one to fine leg in their first match of the Under 12 competition on Rec 8.

Lismore's 32nd Under 12 Cricket Carnival got underway on Tuesday in heatwave conditions. Despite the hopeful assurances of organisers that the weather would be kind, the 14 team competition, which draws teams from south-east Queensland to the Illawarra, started in 38-degree temperatures. To counter the harsh weather the young players, many of whom are playing in their first carnival, are taking drinks breaks at the fall of each wicket and after sessions of just 12 overs. Organisers, officials and all concerned are hoping that the weather may ease as the three-day competition continues.

The guidance of Gilly senior

NSW Sport & Recreation has teamed up with Stan Gilchrist, father of Australian Cricket vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, to provide cricket coaching in Lismore during these school holidays.

Stan Gilchrist is a recognised Level 3 coach and one-time Sydney first grade cricketer, and one needs only look at the exploits of his son to see the quality of instruction he can provide.

Participants will learn a variety of skills including how to drive, square cut or hook the ball; how to bowl faster, more accurately or spin the ball; and how to catch and throw down the stumps.

"The camp is a great opportunity for families to get their children into cricket and learn the correct techniques at an early age as well as learn from the right people," said James Roberts from NSW Sport & Recreation.

The camp will be conducted from Friday to Sunday, January 20-22 at St John's College Woodlawn. The cost is $249 and includes all accommodation, food and coaching.

Bookings are essential and it's best to enrol early to avoid disappointment.

For more information and enrolment forms phone 6687 7168.