https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/new-a-grade-coach-shakes-up-city-hawks/3668176/
AFL: It wasn't a career path she originally anticipated, however a passion for harnessing prodigious talent has led to success for Jennifer Ritchie. A pioneer for women's football in Mackay, she has assumed the role of assistant coach in the Mackay City Hawks men's senior side, and in doing so became the first woman to take on a men's senior coaching position with the club. It highlights the rise of the women's game in the region, and she hopes to continue this progression and pave the way for more women to take the leap into the coaching set up. "It takes one person to break that barrier, and I'm happy to be that person, but I think there's plenty of opportunities for females in coaching roles and it's good having diversity in the coaching team,” Ritchie said. "We think and do things differently, so it's good to be able to mix things up. "Even at a local level we're starting to see some of the rewards, people can see pathways so even in the local competitions in Mackay you can see the skill level is getting better.”
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https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/young-squash-talent-eyes-australian-open/3668025/
Squash: A rapid ascension through the ranks has rising squash star, Wes Dyer, primed for success. The 16-year-old has been a fierce competitor on the court, and will be taking his talents to the Australian Junior Open in April. The swashbuckling athlete was on display at a Squash 52 members tournament on Saturday, going in as the No. 2 seed behind venue owner, Ben Courtice. In a dramatic final, the young dynamo staved off Courtice's challenge - claiming the deciding game 15-12. Dyer is already playing in under 19's divisions, in a testament to his blossoming ability. He will gear up for the Open in a Q Squash North Queensland selection tournament in Townsville this weekend. The tournament will determine who goes into the North Queensland team for this year's Queensland State championships. However this pressure is nothing new to the emerging star. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/intrust-super-cup-round-one-injury-setback-for-key/3668192/
RUGBY LEAGUE: It was a sorry sight to behold when Mackay Cutters fullback Carlin Anderson was stretchered from the field on Saturday. The enigmatic custodian suffered a severe concussion, and a break in his back, late in his side's 24-12 loss to Easts Tigers in round one of the Intrust Super Cup. Cutters coach Steve Sheppard has options at his disposal to fill the No. 1 jumper, with Pauli Byrnes and Yamba Bowie to contest for the spot. While Sheppard is confident he has the troops to capably fill Anderson's void, the dynamic fullback will be missed. "When Carlin went down hurt, it disappointed the group a fair bit because it wasn't really pretty,” he said. "He was lucky to get on the plane this morning, but he's back in Townsville ... so he'll see the Cowboys staff during the week to get more of an indication of how long he's going to be.” https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/success-on-the-road-covering-flaws/3664991/
FOOTBALL: Complacency won't go unpunished for long, a fact not lost on Magpies Crusaders United coach Chris Gallo. Despite claiming a 4-2 win against South West Queensland Thunder at the weekend, Gallo lamented his side's attitude against a team reeling with 10 men for much of the match. It was an important lesson to learn, the new mentor said, especially early in the season. MCU's upcoming clash against a winless Redlands United outfit would be a good test for their mental fortitude, Gallo said. The opposition would be ready to counter at all times, and the match-up would determine whether his troops had learnt from their mistakes. "Like I said to the players the other night, the season can be as loud or as quiet as they want to make it, but they've got to be prepared to put in the work for it,” Gallo said. "I thought the second half wasn't the best and I thought the first half was poor as well. The quietness after the game was enormous, no music on in the change rooms ... it was dead quiet. "But we need to continue to learn from these lessons and not let it go by. This weekend will be a great test mentally for them.” https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/squads-revealed-foley-shield-preparations-begin/3664988/
RUGBY LEAGUE: Sitting out of the game for 18 months has done little to quell Jolie Lock's thirst for success. After taking a break to meet university commitments, her impressive pre-season form has earned selection in the women's Foley Shield squad. She shone in the City-Country fixture played prior to the NRL trial match on Saturday, and while the young hooker appreciates she is coming into an experienced side, she said just making the squad was an exciting milestone. "I'll play wherever I'm put, but I know there's a lot more experience in that position with other girls who have made the squad as well,” Lock said. "Football in general for me, right from when I started playing when I was 14, has built me as a person. It has helped me gain a lot more confidence in life, let alone on the football field.” https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/round-one-young-gun-wins-five-eighth-race/3664004/
RUGBY LEAGUE: After displaying fortified intent in their trial match against the Townsville Blackhawks, the Cutters are gearing up for a good test this weekend. Round one of the Intrust Super Cup commences on Saturday, with the boys from the Sugar City travelling to meet Easts Tigers in Brisbane. Plenty of positives have been taken from their narrow loss at BBPrint Stadium, and head coach Steve Sheppard is confident they can only get better from here on. Sheppard was impressed by the attitude and defence of his side across the board; however, he said it was crucial they won the key moments - particularly at the start of each half. "I thought our intensity lifted last week. I think we need to go up another gear but expect us to go out firing,” Sheppard said. "We've still got a little bit to go with our match fitness because we missed a bit of time, but I think it certainly improved from the first week. "I thought the speed of the game in that trial right at the start was right up there. A couple of our boys got caught off guard, but once they found their feet after a few minutes they were fine.” https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/young-suns-rising-for-2019/3659961/
EXCLUSIVE: Packed with youthful exuberance and an appetite to make an impression, the Gold Coast Suns are embracing their new chapter. With a wealth of young players launching their careers on the Glitter Strip, Suns duo Alex Sexton and Sean Lemmens have been thrust into leadership roles ahead of the season, and will have the chance to showcase their credentials against the Western Bulldogs this weekend in Mackay. As he approaches his 100th AFL game, 25-year-old Sexton has been a stable pillar for the side. While he said he hasn't thought much about his impending century - noting the milestone will warm his family even more - he said his experience was part and parcel of his development with the Sherrin. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/key-signings-a-slam-dunk-for-meteors/3654007/
BASKETBALL: Anticipation is building for the Mackay Meteors season after the club secured the signature of a prized international recruit. Towering forward, Derick Newton, will touch down in April, bringing with him a wealth of experience with United States Division One college Stetson University. It will be the American's first venture to foreign shores, and head coach Jason Borg is excited for the flare and experience he will bring to the team. "He's a guy who can score,” Borg said at yesterday's announcement. "When we need a bucket he's a guy I can say, 'let's run a play for Derick, go and get us a bucket'. "Every team needs that person, every now and then in late game situations. "He's capable of going down the block, capable of shooting the three and he's capable shooting the mid-range.” RUGBY LEAGUE: After 100 years of proud rugby league history, many still remember “The Mouthguard Man”.
Mackay Brothers Football Club legend Peter Keogh touched the lives of many as he channelled his rugby league passion through the club. His work as a dental prosthetist, preparing mouthguards for children eager to take the field, drew young athletes from around the region. His tragic passing in 2015 inspired a touching legacy. Now in its third year, the Peter Keogh Memorial Shield will pit the Brothers and Wanderers juniors against each other on Saturday, before Brothers seniors do battle with the Magpies in honour of the lifetime member. Mackay Brothers have long held a special place in the Keogh family’s heart. As Keogh’s daughter Laura Lucas said: “it’s pretty amazing”. https://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/mackay-skaters-dream-run-to-world-stage/3657113/
ROLLER DERBY: Tonie Rolfe's rise to prominence in the roller derby community has been a "crazy” experience. Seven years ago, the Mackay skater was enticed by a friend from work to come along to her first "jam''. From that moment she was hooked, and it has led her to Australian selection for this year's World Roller Games in Barcelona. Rolfe said she had had a limited background in sport before that fateful day, making her ascension to the green and gold all the sweeter. "I literally did nothing; I went from being a legal secretary to joining it because I had nothing else to do ... and now it's taking me to Spain,” she said. "This is something I've always dreamed of, representing my country, and being able to do it in a sport I love is two buckets ticked off at once.” |
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November 2019
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