https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/cowboys-icon-says-a-central-governing-body-could-be-key-to-regional-sports-survival/news-story/9e69b433568646bd683b187c6dd7bb09
AS employment takes a hit across the country, parents could be forced to make tough decisions on how their children partake in sport. And according to inaugural Cowboys coach Grant Bell, the impacts could be particularly felt in regional towns if measures were not taken. Unemployment rates across the country have spiked as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, with early estimates by the Australian Bureau of Statistics suggesting more than 1.6 million Australians have lost their income. But Bell believes regional areas will be those most affected by this moving forward, with fewer resources able to build these communities back up from the crisis. Given families will likely have vastly different financial situations post-virus, Bell said choices would have to be made by parents regarding what capacity their children play sport in. He said as all sports rally to get off the ground in 2020, young athletes may also be stripped of the opportunity to play multiple sports as schedules and payments overlap.
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https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/blazon-tales-and-his-1363-day-wait-for-a-win-is-finally-over/news-story/9b29dd94104026b2ecf25281d69fbc1f
THE 1363 day wait between drinks is finally over for Blazon Tales. Guided by Charters Towers trainer Julie Russell, the eight-year-old gelding left behind four years without a mantle to claim the Laser Clinics Townsville Benchmark 55 Handicap 1000m. It took a late charge from jockey Matthew Gray to seal the breakthrough result at Cluden Park yesterday, chasing down a rampant Cupid’s Son who seemingly had the race sewn up from the get-go. But he was patient, he waited and he timed his run through the pack to perfection, clocking in at 56.99 seconds in a tight finish. A jubilant Russell admitted Blazon Tales was “sacked a long time ago”, but was brought in educate with the breakers. She gazed fondly at her drought-breaker after the race as he spun in excited circles — soaking in the victory. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/a-historic-football-bid-from-australia-and-new-zealand-gives-taylor-ray-light-ahead-of-2023/news-story/e9e2ad134c11a788e48b4e24d218010d
A HISTORIC bid has Townsville’s W-League star even more determined to make her mark on Australian football. Sydney F.C. defender Taylor Ray has done North Queensland proud in recent years, overcoming back-to-back ACL tears to feature in the Sky Blues 2019/20 grand final campaign. Australia has launched an audacious bid with New Zealand to co-host the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup. While Townsville did not feature in the original push from the FFA, Ray was eager to ensure the region did not miss out on the benefits the showcase’s presence would bring to the game. A drive to feature for the Matildas has always been there, however the chance to represent her hometown will serve as additional motivation should the hosting bid be successful. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/jack-miller-sees-his-edge-to-secure-a-milestone-selection-throughout-the-coronavirus-pandemic/news-story/a07ebe2fff9437029e958739eb0bed5f
AS FRUSTRATING as it has been being kept out of racing, Jack Miller has one big advantage as he chases a prestigious contract. Townsville’s MotoGp star has been largely based in Europe for the past 10 years. But for the first time since establishing himself on the world stage the 25-year-old has been able to spend an extended amount of time at his family’s Gumlow property. Miller was supposed to be in Texas for round three of the 2020 World Championship and preparing for the next stage in Argentina. But the coronavirus pandemic has put all of that on hold for the time being. However with impressive dirt tracks at his disposal, Miller has the tools he needs to stay on form for when the international circuit resumes. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/neptunes-sister-power-finally-a-reality-before-pandemic-kicks-in/news-story/3697f765e856e85d6468fbbb8a3cb465
THERE were many setbacks that had kept the Mocelutu sisters from sharing the netball court. Before the 2020 Townsville premier league season began, Neptunes duo Kathleen and Estel suffered three season-ending injuries between them, preventing the prospect of lining up together. But their round one win against Saints marked the culmination of years of hard work and rehabilitation. As the senior sibling, Kathleen’s heart swells a touch when she takes the court with her younger teammate. Passing the modesty test, she said Estel was the better of the two and had all the tools at her disposal to crack the professional ranks. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsvilles-mitch-maher-i-cant-just-turn-away-from-it-now/news-story/152b3e07c7abc8df55d536e930ddc658
THERE is no one to push us anymore, Mitch Maher says. Now, “it’s very much on us”. As the coronavirus pandemic disrupts sport, and with that careers, it adds another chapter to the uphill battle to higher honours the Townsville product has fought. North Queensland forfeited its NPL Queensland license so, after a year away from semi-professional football, Maher made the call to move south to Mackay. Such has been the uncertainty around COVID-19, Football Queensland made the decision to extend the postponement of all matches and trainings until June 30. But it is just another obstacle for Maher, the desire has never left. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/cape-epic-disappointment-has-only-fuelled-townsvilles-mountain-biking-star/news-story/8b4ee266df20f0703de3f579b4587f7b
BAILY Devantier-Thomas does not know when he will next be able to compete. But when he inevitably does, the Townsville mountain biking star intends to be stronger than he was before. None of his upcoming events have been cancelled just yet, but those decisions will continue to be depend on the development of the coronavirus pandemic. Wednesday marked the end of Devantier-Thomas’s two weeks in isolation after returning from South Africa. With the same walls, same indoor environment, it quickly became a long and hollow slog. But the sport scientist by day said now was an important time to keep setting goals to maintain focus, a point he has passed down to his clients. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/sport-and-kids-keep-townsville-invictus-games-star-alive/news-story/2d3784182e535926f1c0e2550386f029
THERE is nothing stopping Peter Brown from working towards victory at the Invictus Games. To be honest, he says, he does not understand why he, among hundreds, was nominated. But while the showcase may have been postponed, the former parachute rigger is continuing to put in the hard yards to prove he is deserving. Brown’s military career ended when a jump went wrong and led to a severe leg injury. He had to learn to walk again and to accept his situation. But in the Invictus Games he rediscovered his sporting passion, and his swan song in The Netherlands was set to be a continuation of his journey. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/kim-jenner-says-big-pay-sacrifice-what-was-best-for-the-game/news-story/7d2979525150cd385c366215bc6caf02
NETBALL has presented a united front in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. So much so, the nation’s professional stars accepted a significant pay cut in what seemed like a heartbeat. Following the postponement of the 2020 Super Netball season, Queensland Firebirds defender Kim Jenner has returned home to Townsville to ride out the pandemic. What has quickly been missed is the camaraderie between the 22-year-old and her teammates. However, they are currently devising ways to stay connected and focused on a potential season launch on July 1. To get to that point, Super Netball players have accepted a 70 per cent pay cut to enable the code to get through this financially draining period. It was a big sacrifice but it was a necessary action for the sustainability of the game in these unprecedented times. https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/from-a-wleague-grand-final-loss-townsville-star-taylor-ray-finds-a-light/news-story/478a511f59f7538ca942e807887b8b6d
IT IS difficult for Taylor Ray to put into words what a W-League grand final appearance meant. Elation, pride and the realisation of a dream — the rush of emotions nearly overwhelmed the Townsville product prior to kick off. Melbourne City got the better of the 18-year-old’s Sydney F.C. in a 1-0 thriller. But Ray’s recent years have been tumultuous ones on the injury front — this achievement, regardless of the result, was a culmination of countless hours of hard work and harrowing thoughts. The grand final was only her fifth game back to full fitness after sustaining her second ACL injury in January last year. |
AuthorI covered a vast range of sports and issues in my time with the Bulletin. Archives
June 2020
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