Ron Lane
The annual November trip to Japan for the members of the Karate Noosa Club is once again on the agenda.
This club, which is a bona fide member of the WSKF, (World Shotokan Karate Federation) will once again have team members contesting the Shotokan World Championships in Japan.
Under the coaching and supervision of Head Sensei Bryan Dukas 6th Dan, students will not only be competing but also some senior members will be doing their Dan Gradings. To do this while in Japan, tells us that the gradings will be of the highest level and success in achieving this grading is something to be sought after. We wish all students the very best.
This year the club only sent a very small team to the state titles: and it was the adults that were the stand-outs, all coming away with gold and silver medals. A huge achievement by Jack Drew saw him win the men’s division in the Kumite (sparring).
The adult competitors took this opportunity to gain valuable experience in preparation for their upcoming November trip to Japan for the World Titles. For the junior members of the team, they did extremely well, with brothers Dempsey and Campbell Finn both coming home with medals and smiles. Overall Head Sensei Bryan Dukas was happy, “The state titles went well, with good team results. From now our focus will be full on preparation, for the visit to Japan.”
Among those in training for Japan will be Sophia Innis aged 15 and Mikayla Dukas aged 14. Both are junior Brown Belt members and for both it will be their first trip. To not only compete, but also train in such traditional environment and under some of the best coaches that Shotokan karate has to offer, is indeed an incredible experience.
Unfortunately, this year Dannica Starkey former gold medal winner in both junior, national and world championships, won’t be making the trip but is a certain to represent at the national titles in Perth later in the year. From the veteran ranks Bianca Sinn, Kim Bateman and Amy Cavanagh will be in the team. Good luck to all.
From the Noosa Caza Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club comes the news that they are also preparing for the Queensland State Championships to be held on the Gold Coast next month. This is a sport that is also fast growing: and to know this, tells us that the standard and discipline of coaching, under Owner and Head Coach Yoshi Hasegawa and his coaching panel must indeed be first class.
A team of some 40 competitors will be competing in 20 different categories with ages ranging from the kids to adults: with the youngest being 4yrs and 6 months. With the club membership of some 200 members this number speaks for itself. All members are aware that the slogan be humble and respectful to others is always part of gym life
Rugby League
For Noosa Pirates Rugby League they celebrated two wins, Division 2 and Division 1. However, the Bendigo Community Bank team went down 40-6 at the hands of a highly physical Caboolture. Despite the Snakes surging to a strong half time lead, the second half from Pirates showed some true grit, despite being without several key players. Over the next coming weeks more attention to defence, improved combination in attack and team unity will be a must.
In Division 2 Pirates came out firing in the second half and posted three tries.
“To Gympie’s credit they fought back but we held on for the win. Week off to freshen up, before our next home game as we head into the second half of the season.” Robert Burgin
On Saturday Division 1 travelled to Caboolture boosted by the return of captain Dan Moveao. The first half saw us struggle with consistency and poor discipline: this saw Pirates go into the half-time break behind 24-6 and two players sent to the sin bin. From the second half whistle Pirates hit back big time, scoring two back- to- back tries, with only 11 on the field. Following this they fought back to come home with a 32-28 win.
“Forward Rajan Opetaia- Halls was outstanding for us in the second half while Paddy McGinn again showed his class scoring tries and setting them up. We now have a week off before facing Coolum at home on the 3rd June.” Michael Duff
Outriggers
For the Noosa Outriggers it has been a busy weekend of racing at Mooloolaba for the National Club Championships. Held over three days paddlers competed on both long course 18km and short course 10km. The Noosa Club finished third vin the Overall, winning gold medals in the Novice Short Course, Platinum Masters Men, both long and short course, Seniors Masters Men on the long Course and Golden Masters Mixed in the Short Course.
Noosa won silver in the Senior Masters Men Short Course, Golden Masters Men Long Course and Golden Masters Women in the Long Course. It has definitely been a successful carnival and congratulations are in order. To really put iceing on the cake, club coaches Des Mabbot and long- time member and coach Chris Mitchell, were both awarded Queensland Day Medals for a long- time contribution to the sport.
Next carnival for the club will be the big one: the world titles in Samoa. Happy to announce Noosa will have four paddlers representing Australia in this event: Sandra Kennedy, Edyvean Des Mabbot and Muz Latham. Noosa’s 3rd place Overall speaks volumes for the club. To the coaches, competitors and support workers, your team spirit definitely shines through. A very big well done to all involved.
Surf Lifesaving.
It may be winter months but some of our competitors from Between the Flags are still active. On Saturday, of last weekend the Noosa Nippers attended the Gold Coast Pool Rescue Carnival. This event was hosted at the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre and our Noosa Nippers, under coach Woogie Marsh were there to compete.
Coach Marsh, “For the 12 team members it was a fun day: an off- season event, that helps keep the athletes together and create a culture of friendship and competition.” This is of course a vital aspect in the career of our lifesavers of tomorrow.
In the U/14 Female Manikin Tow with fins, Rosita Ortega won the gold. From the male competitors, Noosa’s U/11 team won the bronze medal in the 4x50m Medley Relay: this team consisted of Louie Hammersley, Bane Nielsen, Hendrix Marsh and Henry Hooper.
From our mates over the hill at Sunshine Beach Surf Club comes a summary of their 2023/24 surf sports season program. Following a very successful season under Head Coach Wes Berg {former iron man champion) and junior coach Jade Berg (former ironwoman) the club is commencing a very exciting pre season of training: starting date June5.
The first month will focus on mobility and agility with the whole squad, land based on cross training sessions building fitness. This will be followed by strength and condition sessions and water sessions that focus on getting back on skis and board technique and analysis, thus making them more efficient in the water.
The pre- season for Sunshine is important: it gives them time to focus on their individual strength and weakness and learn about their training capacity. It is also time to set early goals, and really take the time to enjoy their training and the sport of surf lifesaving.
Coach Berg believes, “The pre-season training should be fun and adventurous for the kids: the work is challenging for the squad, but at the same time we get to explore the environment in which we live and train. The different terrains of both Sunshine and Noosa make it interesting and exciting: and make every session different.”
The squad is continually growing with a lot of new athletes becoming part of the program: and it’s all good news for the club. The club has already immersed itself in the Pool Rescue Program which Wes Berg is coaching and drawing on his experience gained, while competing in the Australian Pool Rescue Team.
The squad has a team of 30 strong training for the first competition to be held on the Sunshine Coast on the 10th of June. They are an incredibly close group of athletes and families: and we wish them well.