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Three losses on Family Day, but promising signs for Power
Three losses on Family Day, but promising signs for Power

17 April 2025, 11:00 PM

Even though Kiama Power lost all three games to Figtree last Saturday at the club’s annual Family Day, the results didn’t dampen the club's spirit.The two clubs played for the Darren Williams Shield, named in honour of their former president who died after suffering a heart attack. The day also doubled as a fundraiser for Heart Research Australia, with plenty of community support on and off the field.Jade Quigley receives the Darren Williams Medal for Best on Ground in the Women’s Premier League match, presented by the Williams family. Source: Anthony GradyWhile Kiama didn’t come away with a win, the narrow loss in the Premier Division game marked a major step forward for the club’s top side.“The standout for us was just the turnaround in form for our men's first grade,” says committee member Andrew Grady.“In the last couple of seasons, Figtree has beaten us by 120 points or more, so only going down by seven on the weekend was a big turnaround - and a statement about our intent for the year.”Despite leading at half-time, Kiama ultimately fell 47-40 in a hard-fought match. Grady credits the improvement to a more cohesive game plan and a strong mix of fresh faces and returning players.“This is our second season running the game plan we put in place, and the players are really starting to buy in,” he says.“Our two best players were Hamish Robertson, playing his first game for the club, and Charlie Wood, who hasn’t played for Kiama in a few seasons. "That combination of new and returning players has really boosted confidence.”Beyond the scoreboard, Family Day at Bonaira Oval was a vibrant celebration of club culture, featuring inflatable slides, junior players presenting senior jerseys, and successful fundraising for Heart Research Australia.“We had a lot of kids come down and get involved, and we raised a great amount of money - so it was a really successful day in all those areas,” says Grady.“We’re a family club. We want to build from the grassroots - from Auskick all the way through to first grade - and keep the same values across all levels.”The community spirit didn’t stop on Saturday. Senior players were back at the oval on Sunday, helping out across the junior games in various roles.Sonny Ettridge receives the Darren Williams Medal for Best on Ground in the Men’s Reserve Grade match, presented by the Williams family. Source: Anthony Grady“We had players supporting the juniors all day - running water, delivering messages, or just giving tips. They were there right through until the final game at 6pm,” Grady says.Looking ahead, Grady is excited for the club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round on May 24, celebrating Indigenous players and culture across the AFL.“We’ll have local Elders coming down to deliver a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, and our players will be wearing Indigenous jerseys. It’s going to be a really special day at the club.”

Undefeated Quarriers quickly climbing to the top
Undefeated Quarriers quickly climbing to the top

16 April 2025, 4:00 AM

The Kiama Quarriers Football Club women’s teams have made a flying start to the season, with both sides undefeated after their first two games. The Division 1 team, in particular, is shaping up as a serious title contender.After falling just one game short of the grand final last year - eliminated by eventual premiers Fairy Meadow - the team wasted no time exacting revenge. In their season opener, wearing the new Kiama Quarriers kit, they defeated Fairy Meadow 3–0.KQFC Secretary Nerissa Peterson says much of the team’s early-season success can be attributed to coach Wayne Paton’s leadership.“They’ve got quite a few new players, and many are playing really well. Wayne has a very structured training schedule, and I think a few players came over specifically to play under him after our strong season last year,” she says.Kiama Quarriers women's over 30's team. Source: Nerissa PetersonThe club’s Over 30s Division 1 women’s team is also off to a perfect start, winning both of their opening matches. They, too, are hoping to go one better this year after making the semi-finals in 2024.“They beat last year's league champions, Oak Flats Kraken, which was a fantastic win and a great sign of what’s to come,” says Peterson.Things have been more mixed on the men’s side of the club. KQFC fields two All Age men’s teams - one in Division 3 and another in Division 4. The Division 3 team is off to a strong start, with two wins from two, while the Division 4 side is still searching for their first victory.“The Division 3 team is looking strong, with a lot of talent. We're expecting them to do well this season,” Peterson says. Action shot from the Kiama Quarriers vs Jamberoo Ravens game last year. Photo: Brian Scott“Several players have returned from the District League to play in the Community League for Kiama, which is a great sign.”The Division 4 team, on the other hand, is in a development phase.“They’ve got quite a few new players, including about half a dozen who have come up from juniors and are only 17 or 18 years old. It’s all new for them - they’re just finding their feet.”In the Masters divisions, the Over 35s men’s team, who moved down a division this year, have recorded one win and one loss. The Over 45s team, who moved up a division, have had a tougher start, losing both their opening games.All teams will take a break over the Easter weekend before returning to the field on the weekend of April 26–27. The club’s major fundraiser, a trivia night, will be held on May 10 at Kiama Leagues Club - a great chance to support local sport.

Jamberoo upset Lions as Kiama fall just short
Jamberoo upset Lions as Kiama fall just short

14 April 2025, 3:00 AM

In a complete reversal of last week's Group 7 Rugby League results, Jamberoo have claimed their first win of the season, defeating premiers Gerringong. Kiama went down by just two points in a heartbreaker to Nowra-Bomaderry.After a tough opening loss to Kiama, things weren’t looking great for the Jamberoo Superoos, who went into half-time at Kevin Walsh Oval trailing 6-4.But they came out a different team in the second half, scoring four unanswered tries to take the match 24-6. Zac Fairall was instrumental for the Superoos, crossing for three tries in a dominant performance.Jamberoo coach Jono Dallas credited the win to improved discipline and control.“We probably didn’t do too much differently to the previous week, outside of just thinking about our actions better,” said Dallas. “We didn’t put Kiama under any fatigue, and let them play with momentum for most of the game.“Just slowing down when we had to, and kicking a bit more tactically, made all the difference this week.”At Bomaderry Sporting Complex, the Knights started strong in their clash with Nowra-Bomaderry. Fullback Brad Killmore nailed a 40/20 early and then threw a cut-out pass for their first try in the sixth minute.But two tries from dummy half and a lucky rebound off a grubber kick saw Nowra take the lead 16-10. Kiama crossed for a final try with five minutes left, but it was too little too late, the match ending in a narrow 16-14 win to Nowra-Bomaderry.Gerringong will have a couple of weeks to prepare for their next game due to the Easter long weekend followed by a bye. Source: Brian Scott“I thought we didn’t do ourselves any favours completing our sets at 55%,” said Kiama five-eighth Sam Hooper. “But we’ll learn from it and hopefully bounce back against Shellharbour in two weeks.”All Group 7 teams will have next weekend off due to Easter. Gerringong will enjoy an extended break, following up the bye the week after. Jamberoo are set to host Nowra-Bomaderry at Kevin Walsh Oval on Saturday, 26 April, while Kiama will take on Shellharbour at Kiama Showground on Sunday, 27 April.Weekend Results - All GradesBomaderry Sporting ComplexLLT2: Kiama 34 def Nowra-Bomaderry 6LLT1: Kiama 34 def Nowra-Bomaderry 14U18s: Nowra-Bomaderry 34 def Southern Highlands 20Reserve Grade: Kiama 26 def Nowra-Bomaderry 8First Grade: Nowra-Bomaderry 16 def Kiama 14Kevin Walsh OvalLLT2: Jamberoo 32 def Warilla 0LLT1: Jamberoo 28 def Gerringong 0Reserve Grade: Gerringong 24 def Jamberoo 14First Grade: Jamberoo 24 def Gerringong 6

Kiama ready to go one step further in 2025 rugby campaign
Kiama ready to go one step further in 2025 rugby campaign

12 April 2025, 8:00 PM

Kiama Rugby Club’s first grade team got a preview of the 2025 rugby union season over the weekend when their second grade team faced off against the Wollongong Tech Warratahs.Due to scheduling issues, including byes, the Easter weekend, and cancelled trial games, the first grade team - who lost the grand final in 2024 - will have to wait until 26 April to take the field. Due to the little amount of preparation, several first grade players joined the second grade team in their round one clash, which ended in a dominant 41-3 victory against the Tech Waratahs.“Firstly, we’re really grateful to Tech. We know they’re having a tough time and weren’t able to field a first grade team,” said Kiama player Dante Patrick. “And they definitely gave us a good game to start off with. We had a few from firsts playing to release a little bit of those cobwebs, which was good. "This was actually our first test all year, and we're very proud of the result, but there's definitely a long way to go.”Kiama’s first grade team will face Campbelltown in their opening game on 26 April, and Patrick knows they’ll need to be sharp. Campbelltown will be out for revenge after Kiama knocked them out of the finals race in 2024.“They’ll definitely have some vengeance on their minds after we knocked them out in the grand final qualifier last year. So, we’re expecting a tough game and we’ll need to be well-prepared,” Patrick says.Dante Patrick coaching the Kiama squad at the Sevens tournament earlier this year. Photo: Brian ScottThere have been a few changes to the first grade squad since last season, with some players departing and new faces joining, including key recruit Tom Baker. But Patrick is confident the team will be firing on all cylinders in 2025.“Two years ago, when we made the semis, it really got people excited. There was a shift in momentum, and that carried us into last year’s big push to the grand final,” says Patrick. “So, for us, the first year was about reigniting interest, the second was about competing, and this year it’s about focusing on the little details to execute everything perfectly and go all the way.”When it comes to Shoalhaven - the team that broke Kiama’s hearts in last year’s grand final - Patrick knows they’ll be just as strong in 2025.“As long as they’ve got that trophy, they could lose a few key players and it wouldn’t matter. They’ve built such a winning culture down there, and that environment just keeps breeding success. But if we can test them as much as possible when we play them, I believe we can definitely compete,” he says.Kiama’s first grade team will face Shoalhaven in a grand final rematch in their first home game of the season on 10 May at Kiama Showground. They’ll be eager to take on the reigning champions and prove themselves as one of the top teams in the Illawarra.

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