https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/north-queensland-football-calls-for-common-sense-from-state-government/news-story/d786c48c6470133676202ac2a19b9b29
NORTH Queensland Football are calling on the State Government for a “common sense” approach to regional sport, adamant the return to play guidelines do not suit the northern areas. Typically football in Townsville is played out of Brolga Park — a fenced and gated facility with multiple grounds to spread across. The plan FNQ general manager Declan Carnes had in place was to split the park into three separate zones, with multiple gates able to manage the flow of people to each area and maintain the 100 person capacity. However he said there is no clarity around what constitutes a venue, and at this stage he is resigned to the maximum audience being across the entirety of Brolga Park. It would present a logistical nightmare to manage for the organisation, parents, players, volunteers and officials.
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https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsville-racing-star-steps-up-to-the-ferrari-of-motogp/news-story/a7a5197e4129e4351c05c7f6426caf44
JACK Miller has described his next chapter on the bike in fitting fashion — he is stepping up to “the Ferrari of MotoGP”. The Townsville racing star has signed on to the Ducati Factory team, putting his name in elite company with the likes of Casey Stoner and Troy Bayliss. Achieving this goal is a dream the 25-year-old has worked to realise his whole life, but even still the moment has been “surreal”. Miller has signed a one contract, however it has an option for him to continue on in 2022. It is rare territory for him in that he has never come into a season with his future locked in. And that short-term focus is just how he likes it. Rather than have the security of a long-term deal, the 12 month window keeps him on his toes and pushing to better himself whenever he gets on the bike. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/leeway-on-numbers-needed-for-inclusive-rugby-program/news-story/28c1a0ffcefd8ea079713252dfb04a7a
BEFORE sport was brought to its knees by the coronavirus pandemic, Tyerys Bates had found his groove. Now, deprived of a sporting outlet that embraces him and his teammates, the 10-year-old is lost. As community sport seeks to get off the ground following State Government guidelines the buzz of imminent competition has returned to athletes throughout Townsville. But codes often laud of their inclusiveness, and the reality is some programs — such as the Brothers Modified Rugby Program — may need some leeway to deliver their product. The MRP is designed to give children living with autism, Asperger's and other intellectual disabilities the opportunity to partake in the game in an environment that would have alluded them in regular club settings. Participants are also paired with a teenage ‘player mentor’ who teach them the skills of the game and help guide them on the field. Tyerys’s mum Rhiannon Taylor has seen the profound impact involvement in the program has had on her son. No longer shy and anti-social, Tyerys had found a place where he was not treated as an outsider. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsville-ace-weighs-in-on-world-tennis-player-pay-debate/news-story/e014d31f12fb46cb7b21bd81a6b33b9f
IT is tough for JP Smith to weigh in on world tennis’s funding debate. On the one hand he is gracious for the proposed financial sacrifice from some of the sport’s biggest stars. On the other, how do you ask someone else for their hard earned money during such a straining time? World No. 1 Novak Djokovic suggested last month the top 100 players in the world donate income into a coronavirus relief fund to support professional players ranked from 250 to 700 in the world. Townsville player Smith currently ranks 290th and would be a beneficiary of the proposal that has attracted praise from some and widespread criticism from others on the circuit amid the cancellation of tournaments across the globe. Given the individual nature of tennis, Smith said the reality was if a player had nothing to compete for — regardless of their standing — money was not coming to them during the pandemic. While competitions such as the NRL and AFL have contracts that pay athletes to some extent whether they are on the field or not, tennis operated differently and it was too much of an ask to call on his rivals to fork out what they had worked so hard for. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsville-racing-hopeful-awaits-supercars-verdict-for-hometown-event/news-story/199ca6593dd5b5a2f0c78c1f78b8cf39
WITH or without crowds Madison Dunston would relish the chance to compete in the Townsville 400 again. However should it be the latter, the hometown hopeful admits it would be a very different experience. Speculation over whether the Supercars event will take place this year will come to an end on Friday when a decision is made on its 2020 future. Should it go ahead it is likely to be a TV-only event, with the State Government’s coronavirus social distancing guidelines not expected to be relaxed enough by the showcase’s June 26 intended start date. Dunston said despite the sport going into hibernation throughout the pandemic her sponsors were still on-board to support her pursuits when racing resumed. While the rising SuperUtes star would jump at the chance to compete on her home track again, she admitted it may lack the same intensity without spectators. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsville-devil-rebounds-from-life-turning-setback-to-keep-focused-on-olympic-bid/news-story/aa00e34675e725be63fd80ab41dd9b04
AS HER first Olympic Games dawned, Elle Armit was feeling strong. Her strength in the pool was at a peak, her place among the Australia Stingers solidified and her Drummoyne Devils club were building momentum. But then, as for athletes across the globe, coronavirus ripped the rug from beneath her. “It was definitely a big shock, it was quite devastating in the beginning. It turns your world upside down, and changes to anyone’s life is hard,” Armit said. “A lot of athletes are still putting things in place preparing for life after sport, so it’s hard on that front too. “But it’s for the greater good, it’s something we all have to do.” https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/return-to-club-hockey-to-be-steph-kershaws-toughest-challenge/news-story/ea07953bd9b6708aaa2ac757f3719485
INTERNATIONAL hockey may be off the agenda for the foreseeable future, but a return to club roots could be on the cards for Townsville ace Stephanie Kershaw. The Hockeyroo, now based in Perth with the national set up, had endured a tumultuous run with ACL injuries — a period which finally ended when she donned the green and gold in the FIH League this year. She had built momentum, trusted the knee that had previously plagued her, and appeared on course for a maiden Olympic Games. But with the Tokyo showcase postponed until 2021, and the Australian Hockey One competition following suit, competitive outlets are scarce for the time being. However there is still hope for regional sport to return as the number of COVID-19 cases continue to dwindle. While she felt the delay of the Hockey One may have been a little premature, the return of grassroots hockey could bring Kershaw back into the club fold for the first time since 2018. It is an environment where her rising calibre as a national star makes her a target on the turf. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsvilles-clutch-keeper-still-working-towards-completely-different-ball-game/news-story/4bdd453e583d51584fa1d5756660a5ce
SHE has proved pressure is no barrier to her performance. She has proved she can stand up in the clutch moments. But even still, Townsville hockey product Hannah Astbury does not see an Olympic berth on her horizon. The 22-year-old Brisbane Blaze goalkeeper was at her calm and collected best in the inaugural Hockey One grand final in November, standing up her opposite number in Hockeyroos great Rachael Lynch in the decisive penalty shootout against Melbourne. However even after getting one over the most capped goalkeeper in Australian women’s hockey history, Astbury does not see the delayed Tokyo Olympics as an option for her. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/michael-enniss-wisdom-has-kirwan-ace-on-course-for-stardom/news-story/cb7cfbe1b41f4324e11c18a27e393856
HE WAS seen as the young bloke to target. He was seen as the smaller up-and-comer in need of some toughening up. But Adrian Trevilyan thrived. The former Kirwan State High School star ventured to the Canberra Raiders with Townsville teammate Brad Schneider where they were set to feature in the Green Machine’s under 20s side. Within their pre-season was a two-and-a-half week stint training with the NRL squad — a true reality check in what it took to succeed at rugby league’s plateaus. However the experience has steeled Trevilyan. He knows where his strengths are, where his weaknesses are, and what it takes to get to the top. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/northern-rays-plan-to-become-pacific-region-netball-hub/news-story/3446677397cd698c799d63f1f4b0503e
FORWARD thinking and resilience have been the key to the Northern Rays staying afloat since coronavirus wreaked havoc. With the Queensland Netball Sapphire Series rescheduled to launch on October 12 time is on the Townsville-based side to get its affairs in order and ready for an audacious title charge. It may not have seemed possible after 2019’s tumultuous campaign, but Rays chairman Michael Brennan said they had come a long way from the hard lessons of yesteryear. Local sponsors played a massive part in sustaining the Rays after last year’s financial instability. But while businesses have undergone drastic shifts and cost cuts due to COVID-19, the likes of Brothers Leagues Club have continued to support the North Queensland club. Further support has even come on board, with EMU Sportswear’s profits from Rays attire going to the team. |
AuthorI covered a vast range of sports and issues in my time with the Bulletin. Archives
June 2020
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