Sports News
 Bowled Over
Girl Power
On Tuesday, October 2, more than 400 women will descend on the greens at City, East, South Lismore and Workers Heights for the annual Northern Rivers District Women's Bowls Association Carnival.
Players will come from South Queensland/Gold Coast in the north and Grafton/Maclean in the south to join with women from the Northern Rivers District.
The official opening will take place on Tuesday at Workers Heights at 8.30am with play commencing on all greens at 9.15am. Three rounds will be played each day, so the eventual winners will need stamina as well as skill.
The carnival culminates in a presentation of prizes at the Workers Club on Thursday night at 6pm followed by a dinner and the famous - or is it infamous? - end of carnival concert.
Best wishes, ladies, for a successful carnival.
South Lismore Bowling club will host their Fun Day of Bowls on Sunday, October 7, commencing at 1pm.
Dress is mufti; new and non-bowlers welcome. Many prizes will be given out. Afternoon tea and snacks will be provided to fuel the players so they can keep going.
Single entries can be phoned into the club on 6621 3510 until 12.30pm that day.
Members of the Heartbeats Bowling Club are reminded that the next meeting will take place on Monday, October 15, at Iluka Bowling Club.
All bookings can be made to Brian on 6621 5024 or Ray on 6622 1792 on the Saturday prior to the game. New members are always welcome.
Lismore Workers Group's event for October is the Riley Pairs and will be held at the Workers Heights on Sunday, October 14. As this is always popular members are advised to enter early by phoning Ken Willis on 6628 4110.
Post script to last week's story on Peter Brown's lost bowl: due to the resourcefulness of greenkeeper Pat Nicholl the bowl was recovered from the river - you owe him one Browney!
Also, my consultant umpire has referred us to:
Umpire's Corner
Law 1D Bowls (ii)
A set of bowls means four bowls all of which are matched in that they are of the same manufacture, size, weight, colour, bias, serial number and engraving.
In all games each player shall play with the appropriate number of bowls from the same set of bowls.
So, in fact, Peter should have changed and used his complete old set.
Coaching Tip
When kicking bowls back after completion of an end, go to the furthest one away or to the side of the head and kick with the sole of the foot. By continually using the side of the shoe damage to the shoe can be caused or dislocation of the hip can occur it there is a weakness in that area.
Until next week,
good bowling.
 Hook and Slices
with Stan Bendall
Lismore Championships Begin
NRDGA
Northern Rivers golfers will travel to Tenterfield for the annual interdistrict encounter against New England. An open, colts junior and two net sides will contest the tournament on the weekend of October 6-7.
The NSW junior championships will be held at Newcastle on Monday, October 1 until Wednesday, October 3.
Lismore
The third round of the club champos will be played this Saturday with the final round to be played on Saturday week. My choice is still Steve Fredericks to win back to back titles.
Tim Jenkins won last Thursday's single stableford on a countback from Tom Somerville and Gary Barnett. Arthur Renshaw won the first nine by one from Athol Rogers; Murray Edwards took out the second nine from Alan Scott and Steve Fredericks won the gross with 2 under par 68.
Rhoda Way and Cassie Hart won the American foursomes last Wednesday from Rita Riordan and Elaine Barry.
Two of the club's young talents finished one-two in the first round of the club champos last Saturday, Clinton Kay finished 2 shots ahead of Rhein Gibson.
Barry Pratt had a big one with 63 in B grade, winning by 3 from Mel Sawtell. Jim O'Brien also recorded a big one with 63, winning by 2 from Peter Greedy in C grade. Mark Riley came back with a win in D grade, by 2 from ex-farmer Ray Evans. David Purnell provided the highlight of the day when he feathered a 3 wood into the par 3 eighth for an ace! Top shot David!
Tony Mulligan recently came out of retirement back to golf and took out the Bradman's last Saturday and has hung up the clubs again!
Young club talent Lloyd Kelly won A grade in the second round of the club champos last Sunday. Jason Fredericks took out C grade with 63, 3 in front of Alan Scott. Brenton Hare won D grade by 2 from Geoff Gaggin. After two rounds Steve Fredericks is leading on 143, 3 shots in front of Gene Ward and Lloyd Kelly, with young Clinton Kay and Rhein Gibson on 148 and 149 respectively. Steve to win.
Geoff Sheafe is leading B grade on 159, 2 shots ahead of lefty Thomas, followed by Chris Evans. Evans to win.
Jim O'Brien is leading C grade (beware of the wounded golfer!), just ahead of Rob Coombes and Bruce Mathieson. A hard one to pick but I think Jim will win.
Brenton Hare is leading D grade by 4 from Gaz Underhill, who always reacts well to mentions in the paper and Ian Carrington. Brenton will win this one by a hare's breath!
The next two Saturdays should feature some great golf and good luck to all left in the champos.
There's a little problem on the golf course at the moment with players practising out on the golf course chipping to various holes using more than two balls. This activity is now being patrolled as is practising out of bunkers - not on!
While on the topic of little problems, there's another common indiscretion at the moment with people chipping on the course proper between the top practise green and the first tee. Chipping in this area or any practise on course prior to stroke play should result in disqualification. In matchplay you may practice prior to your game: one, two, three holes, whatever! Good decision last weekend regarding preferred lies off! Still plenty of bad areas but club champos good stuff!
The two ball matchplay championships were finally completed last Saturday after all this time with Serge Zanuso and Anthony Magarry taking the title. Well done fellas!
Woodburn-Evans Head
A stableford event will be played this Saturday.
A medley four person ambrose will be played this Monday.
Bev Jones won the 27 hole section in the ladies' 27 hole stroke event last Wednesday and Lili Vaneck the 18 hole net.
Jim Haynes, Peter Crocket, Max Bowden and Stephen Powell won the men's four person ambrose last Saturday while Betty O'Grady won the ladies 18 hole single stableford.
Dean Ferrier, Brett Dent, Marina Davey and Geoff Treharne won the four person charity golf day for the Evans Head Olympic pool last Sunday.
Mullumbimby
Welcome back Mullum and thank you to Ken Leighton for sending in the club info.
A four ball stableford will be played this Saturday.
There is a new layout on the front nine, which has been closed for some time. After an eight month wait the new six holes and there associated water hazards met with universal approval last weekend, with all agreeing that the wait was well worthwhile.
The club has decided to leave the front nine open for all to enjoy and apart from compulsory tee-ups on bare patches, the front nine now complements the back nine to make a top Northern Rivers Golf course.
Well done Mullum!
Casino
A 4BBB stableford will be played this Saturday.
A single medley stableford event will be held this Monday.
Neill Gillett and Len Brown won the Norco Rural store two person ambrose last Saturday on a countback from Jason Adam and Wayne Underhill - good to see Wayne back after a serious illness.
Tim Wilson took out the daily double last Thursday, winning the 18 hole and the 11 hole events.
 What's My Line
with Ian Clark
Restrictions Lifted on Richmond
This Sunday sees the end to the temporary restrictions put in place for rejuvenation of the Richmond River after flooding aided in a major fish kill.
It feels like an eternity since the closure was imposed, then lifted to a restricted access and now finally to full access and bag limits.
This will lift a financial burden off a lot of business groups that rely on the attraction of the river.
Last weekend, however, was one where the opportunity again arose to check out what's new on the boating scene. The annual Queensland Boat Show was held at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
It was great to see a local face up there, in the way of Sailfish Marine.
I was only able to say a quick hello from a distance because their stand was inundated with people looking at one of their quality made and presented vessels.
The boat displays were all impressive and some pretty reasonable packages were on offer.
On the face of it I think it was another successful show and I hope the crew at Sailfish were prosper from the exhibition.
Back at home, though, it was an average weekend.
I spoke to Gary of Ballina Charters and although he has had a few groups out it has mainly been to view the whales returning south.
When he has gone chasing some fish it has been mainly yellowtail kingies, samson, pig fish and some rosy jobfish coming in from the depths.
Off Evans there are some nice snapper out wide with jew in closer to the coastline.
Along Lennox there are whiting taking worms with plenty of dart cashing in on a feed of worms too.
Back around Ballina blood worms are working better in the river than yabbies or beach worms.
Some nice bream are being caught around both Ballina walls and there are some good jew mixed in with the schoolies off the north wall.
Flathead are getting around the rivers with pillies or squid the best bait to use.
In the Evans River the trusty lure has been attracting some good action from various sized flathead. Best spot to use lures is up around the Iron Gates.
Well that's all for this week and until next week fun fishing.
Bobcats Clinch Double
 While Maclean took the honours in Premier Division, Grand Final day was also a big one for Italo Stars, who won both the premier reserve and Over 35 division Grand Finals. Paul Schaefer (pictured) shows some of the form that won him the 'Man of the Match' award in reserves.
Soccer FNC's two most cherished pieces of silverware have both left Lismore for the first time in their 52 year history and are now safely ensconced on the Clarence, after minor premiers Maclean completed a dream season by clinching the premiership double with a 3-2 win over Byron Bay, in last Saturday's premier division grand final at Oakes Oval.
The historic grand final was the first for both clubs and the first without a Lismore side since competition began in 1950 and while the departure of the major premiership was inevitable, Maclean finished off their fairy tale season in true style, scoring a last-minute winner to give a pulsating match a sensational climax.
Undefeated since May, the Bobcats intensity, consistency and wealth of quality players made them pre-match favourites and worthy winners, erasing the memories of '99 when they won the minor premiership for the first time, but then failed to reach the grand final.
Grant Nielson got the Bobcats away to a great start with the opening goal, followed up with a second from Aaron Bylos early in the second half, but Byron Bay showed the enormous determination that had seen them win three sudden-death games on the trot to reach the decider, replying with a spirited fightback.
Goals from inspirational sweeper and man of the match Aaron Richter-Steers and classy midfielder Nathan Jones suddenly threw the match wide open at 2-2.
But Maclean literally rose to the occasion to clinch the win when Kevin Crofton soared above the pack to head in a curling free kick from Shane Maycock for the winning goal in the shadow of full time.
The sensational win was tinged with sadness for the Bobcats, as it also marked the end of an era for their closely-knit lineup.
Up to five players will be leaving the area during the off season, including dual Golden Boot winner Daniel Fung and brilliant flanker Aaron Bylos, but all will be taking with them priceless memories of a glorious night and a near-faultless season.
While Byron Bay's memories will not be so fond, the experience will harden the talented young squad and under the astute guidance of coach Graham Bird once again next year, the Rams could be the side to beat in 2002.
Relegation Ructions
The thorny issue of culling two teams from Soccer FNC's premier division ranks to make way for the new ten-team format in 2002 is set to generate heated debate during the off season, with Soccer FNC showing every indication of sticking to its policy, despite resistance from some quarters.
Neither Goonellabah nor South Lismore have ever faced relegation, but after finishing last and second-last this season both face the chop, following the release of criteria for eligibility by Soccer FNC last week.
Whilst not relishing the idea of demotion, both clubs were advised at the start of the season (along with every other premier club) that two clubs would be going down.
To quote the document, "Eligibility for inclusion into the 2002 premier division will be based solely upon the 2001 point score standings at completion of round 22".
From 2003 on, the team finishing last in premiers will be relegated and replaced by the side that wins the first division minor premiership (as long as they are not already in the premiers, in which case the side finishing second will be promoted).
Soccer FNC has also left scope for two-teams to be promoted, with the sides finishing ninth in premiers and second in firsts having to vie for a place in the top ranks based on a four-part criteria which includes; facilities, personnel development, marketing\promotion and administration\finance.
Goonellabah president David O'Brien is less than happy with the decision and his club has already lodged a recision motion to be heard at Soccer FNC's AGM on November 20th.
"At the start of the year when we were notified of two teams going down we had mixed feelings on the issue and in July we requested clarification of criteria, but it's not until now that we've received anything in writing".
"Our recision motion calls for a 12 month moratorium for clubs to work through the criteria with Soccer FNC, allowing for the same 12 clubs to compete in premiers in 2002 before introducing the changes" he said.
South Lismore president Jim Whipps sees the issue from a different perspective, saying "While most of the premier players would rather stay up, from a club perspective we're happy to go down and re-build because a winning club is a happy club and you can build on that".
"I sympathise with Goonellabah because they have enormous junior depth, but all the clubs knew about this from the start of the year" he added.
Soccer FNC general manager Matthew Kelso was forthright in his assessment, saying "We want to stand firm on this issue, we definitely want to see a ten-team premier division in 2002 and beyond".
"We are prepared to listen to clubs opinions at the AGM, but all the indications I have at the moment are that the majority of clubs are in favour of the move" he said.
Magpies Bomb Ballina in Final
The Byron magpies easily downed the Ballina Bombers to take their third Summerland Australian Football League grand final in a row last Saturday, the victory especially sweet for being played at Ballina's home ground.
Byron started the game aggressively, slotting five quick goals while restricting Ballina to one in the first quarter.
The Bombers picked up the pace in the second quarter and nailed four goals to the Maggies' three. The Ballina comeback was short-lived however, as the Magpies began to play their usual style of attacking footy in the third term and kicked four majors and four behinds but only let the Bombers kick one behind, meaning the Magpies went into the final quarter with a 46 point lead.
With the result assured the Magpies started to show off in the fourth term and kicked six goals. Ballina also managed three and to start a few half-hearted brawls but the game was essentially over.
Ruckman, Roly Wintle had a good game for the Bombers, as did Peter Plummer and Brian Walshe.
Tim Fisher, Nathan Moss, Jamie Smith, Dean Hurley and Stuart Burns all had big games for the Maggies in a grand final victory to rival the Byron win in '97.
The Year of the Sports Volunteer
Do you know someone who offers their time to sport?
A referee, coach, administrator, assistant or anyone else who altruistically provides their time so that everyone can enjoy playing sport?
If you do then The Northern Rivers Echo wants to hear from you.
The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation has developed the Volunteers of the Year Awards to recognise the unsung contributors to sport.
The Volunteer of the Year awards in the Northern Rivers region are proudly supported by The Northern Rivers Echo and the Lismore City Council.
The awards are designed not as a competition but rather as a way to show community appreciation for individuals who selflessly give their time so that local sport can exist.
Nominations for the awards close on October 26 and recipients will be announced on November 2. Nomination forms can be obtained through your sporting club, at the department of Sport and Rec offices or at The Northern Rivers Echo.
Academy Netballers Head for Sydney
Ten of the north coast's best junior netballers will be heading to Sydney this weekend to represent our region in the annual inter-academy Horsell Cup netball carnival.
The North Coast Academy of Sport (NCAS) Netball squad will be sending a squad which represents the best U17 players between Tweed Heads and Port Macquarie.
The Horsell Cup brings together eleven regional and Sydney metropolitan academy squads and provides an opportunity for each academy to test their respective team in a modified format competition.
"Regional academies focus on selecting the best individuals and developing individual skills rather than selecting a strongly competitive team," said NCAS head netball coach, Tracey Robinson.
"Because of this, teams usually have to play team members out of their preferred position, but this disadvantage occurs in opponents so it usually balances out," she added.
"The focus is therefore on each player to demonstrate their individual personal skills rather than winning at all costs."
The modified format will see the girls play ten round robin games over two days, with each game consisting of two 15 minute halves. A cross over final will then take place.
"The carnival brings together some of the key components of our NCAS program which includes an advanced fitness program, as well as issues such as maintaining personal health over the entire carnival through good nutrition and proper warm ups, cool downs, stretching and recovery sessions," Robinson said.
To add to the pressure of the high calibre competition, talent scouts from Netball NSW and the NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) will be present throughout the carnival in search of players to join their "next level" talent programs.
Two NCAS netballers, Lauren Berger (Yamba) and Kathryn Ainsworth (Ballina), who are already part of the current NSWIS scholarship squad, have decided to vacate their places in the NCAS Horsell team so that other emerging NCAS players can have the opportunity to attend the carnival.
The ten NCAS Horsell Squad members are: Chase Berrier (Ballina) Fiona Court (East Ballina) Sarah Cowan (Grafton) Cassie Daros (Crescent Head) Sam Donovan (Grafton) Relicca Kelly (Lismore) Carmel Killingbeck (Ballina) Jodi Law (Goonellabah) Casey Long (Toormina) Meegan Rooney (Coffs Harbour)
The Horsell Cup carnival represents the final function for the 2000-1 NCAS Netball program. Applications for the 2002 squad will be sought in October with preliminary trials to be conducted in early December at Coffs Harbour and Lismore.
NCAS runs sport identification and development programs in netball, softball, squash, sailing, slalom canoeing, soccer, lawn bowls and rugby union. NSW Sport and Recreation and Southern Cross University are major sponsors of the NCAS.
Carr-ate Kid's Success
 No, it's not a National Party preselection tussle - karate champion Ari Carr (right), who came second at the Oceania Karate Championships last weekend in Vanuatu, was practising his moves on MP Ian Causley while his karate teacher, Richard Marlin, referees. Mr Causley presented Ari with an Australian flag to take to the Championships.
Former martial arts champion-turned-teacher, Richard Marlin, may have hung up his black belt in the highly competitive fighting world but he continues to produce champions.
Lismore lad Ari Carr has been attending Richard's martial arts classes every week since he was four-years-old and now, at age 15, he has had the honour of competing in the Oceania Karate Championships in Vanuatu last weekend.
He came second in his age division.
Discipline and consistency are the two biggest keys to becoming a martial arts champion according to Richard, and luckily for Ari they are two things he has in abundance.
The Trinity Catholic College student has not only been attending classes for the last 11 years, but in preparation for the event he also attends training sessions every morning before school, does three training sessions after school each week and continues to teach children's martial arts classes.
"Its keeps me fit and disciplined, and you'll never find a better teacher than Richard - he has helped me become a black belt but also a better person in life," Ari said.
"It's going to be a real buzz to represent my country and whether I win or lose it'll be a great experience and help build me into a better fighter. At the very least, I'll come back with a good tan!"
Along with Ari's second in the 15 year-old fighting section, fellow student Joel Parrey competed in the 13 year-old section of the knockout competition and showed he's also made of the right stuff, coming second as well.
On the eve of his departure Ari was presented with an Australian flag by Page MP Ian Causley to take to the Championships.
Story & photo: Terra 'Crouching Tiger' Sword
Sports Greats Meet Fans
 Members of the Australian sporting elite were at Southern Cross University last week for a function at the SCU Union.
Current Wallaby and former SCU student Justin Harrison, hero of the second Lions test, is pictured here with SCU lecturer Dr Dave Arthur and SCU student union president and current Gold Rat Sandy Maxwell.
Stan Tilly (swimming coach of Dyana Calub, Petria Thomas and Adam Pine), Richard Tombs (former Wallaby and SCU student), Tom Lawton (former Wallaby), Dick Cocks (former Wallaby and Wallaby selector) and Barry and Jan Saxby (parents of walker Kerrie Saxby-Junna) were all on hand to speak with and answer questions from the crowd.
The night was a wonderful success with students easily mingling with their sporting greats.
The union plans to hold more sports functions so that students can have a chance to meet elite sportspeople and talk to them in a relaxed environment.
Photo: Robin Osborne
Golf Clinics for Kids During the School Holidays
The NSW Department of Sport and Recreation in conjunction with various North Coast golf clubs will conduct golf coaching clinics in the upcoming school holidays.
Development officer Tony Meldrum recommended that parents who wish their children to attend should book early.
"The clinics have been very popular with children in recent holidays and enrolments are once again filling quickly," he said.
The clinics are held over three days for two hours each day with a golf professional.
Participants learn a variety of skills including correct balance, posture, swings, chipping, putting and course etiquette.
"The clinics are a great opportunity for families to get their children into golf, learn the correct techniques at an early age and learn from the right people," Meldrum said.
Clubs participating are Lismore (October 8-10), Grafton (October 3-5), Nambucca Heads (October 1-3) and Port Macquarie (October 8-10).
The clinics cost $44 per child and vacancies are limited.
For more information or enrolment forms, contact the NSW Department of Sport and Recreation on 6687 7168.
|
