Rising young sports star Koffi Brookfield signed a development contract with St George Illawarra Dragons in May.“She has been in the state school teams and we see a bright future for her. She’s a young hooker who’s going to play some Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership this year, so we wanted to reward her and get her into our NRLW system as possible,” said Dragon NRLW head coach Jamie Soward in a Dragons’ press release.Brookfield found out that she’s been signed with the Dragons close to the end of the Steelers Rep season. Soward pulled her aside during one Monday training session and chatted before handing her a piece of paper and asking if she’d like to become a development player for the NRLW 2024 season.“It was an awesome feeling,” says Brookfield.“I had trained so hard the previous season in and around the NRLW squad and Sowie. I was prepared and ready for a good season.” “Unfortunately, I injured my knee and worked twice as hard physically and mentally to get back to my best during and after my injury. That moment when he handed me the Development Contract made the struggles, frustrations and extra efforts all worth it. It refilled the tank to keep my focus and keep chasing my goal of playing NRLW.”Photo credit: Koffi Brookfield.Brookfield got into rugby, thanks to the enthusiasm of the male members of her family.“I remember playing in the backyard with my brother Jeff, how we would just tackle each other, and how it would be Jeff and I against my dad. I remember just having so much fun.”She played junior football with the Kiama Junior Knights, which began with the League tag and progressed into the Tackle Rugby League, once it became available for girls to play when Brookfield was 13. She loved it.“We all had the same interests in playing tackle, and for Kiama,” she says.She also pursued rugby league through school, having represented South Coast, Greater Southern and NSW CHS at the highest level.During the last week of May, Koffi joined the Dragons Rookie Camp where her 2024 season with the NRLW team began. There were two things that stood out in particular. “Definitely the mindset and self-confidence by Dan Haesler and female health by Jessica Stoll,” she says.Close to 23,000 people attended the Women's State of Origin III at Queensland Country Bank Stadium at the end of June. That can be compared with the around 7,000 people who saw the first Women's State of Origin at North Sydney Oval six years ago.“There’s been a bigger look on women’s games, which is amazing,” Brookfield says. “My experience has been great, as a player you have your highs and lows. I’m definitely thankful for my mum, dad and brother who got me through that. Overall, I don’t think I would change my experience for the world. I’ve loved it and can’t wait for more.”

On Monday July 15, Kiama MP Gareth Ward met with players, coaches and other members of the Kiama Netball Association (KNA) to congratulate them on their success at the State Championships.Meeting at the Kiama Netball Courts, Ward spoke with players and coaching staff from the U13’s, who were winners at this year's state championships, and the U12’s, who were runners up, praising Kiama’s sporting ability.The U13 winners with Gareth Ward“Kiama is a little town but we continue to punch well above our weight and I'm so proud, and the community is so proud, of what the team has achieved. It's a huge success to be recognised for your accomplishments and your skill at this level,” says Ward.Both teams believe it was the close-knit culture and their team spirit which got them through the gruelling 19 game weekend and was the secret to their success.“We were all in a hotel with each other so there was lots of time where we could have fun games and bond with each other. We had breakfast and dinner every morning and night together and got a big bus in from Kiama together,” says Manager of the U12’s team Anne Marie Esler.U12 runners up with Gareth Ward“We just had a lot of bonding, so the team spirit between each other meant across the court each girl stood by each other, they did their role and knew their role, it's like nearly a year's preparation and it all pulled off,” says Coach of the U13’s team Dave Whitchurch.Ward says that he finds so much joy in days like these where he gets to go and congratulate, in person, the people of this community who are doing so well.“I love saying well done to people who have represented our community well and we as a community can be proud of each and every one of the members of this team,” says Ward.“And I also want to commend, not just the coaches but also the parents who have supported them through this journey.”While he was at the Kiama Netball Courts on Monday, Ward also addressed concerns that the club had about the quality of their facilities.“Having good facilities locally is really important and I know that we need to look at an upgrade of the netball courts here and I’ve been talking to the club about that today and I look forward to supporting them in seeking funds to do that so that we can continue to see a new generation of netballers come along, succeed and continue to blast away the competition into the future,” says Ward.The Bugle wants to congratulate all players, coaching staff and members of the KNA as well as the parents who made it all happen.

By Joan HughesLocal Kiama woman, Joan Hughes, will volunteer at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games in August and September. Joan will be an access coordinator at the Grand Palais, which will host a number of events including fencing and taekwondo.Joan volunteered at the Sydney 2000 Olympics and Paralympics, which she says, “it was a life changing event.” Joan applied for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics when she heard that the Olympic Committee was seeking volunteers from around the world. There was no requirement to be a French speaker as Joan only has ‘school French.’“Being a volunteer is a wonderful way of giving back to the community. Being in my early 70s, I have been able to take advantage of many educational and employment opportunities,” Joan said. “I have done many volunteer jobs, even during my paid employment. Giving back to society is very satisfying.” She will travel to Paris in early August and will also take the opportunity to travel within Europe and to the UK to see friends.

GROUP 7 RUGBY LEAGUE U18 COMPETITIONKIAMA 46 d JAMBEROO 6JAMBEROO PHOTOS

GROUP 7 RUGBY LEAGUEU18 COMPETITIONKIAMA 46 d JAMBEROO 6KIAMA PHOTOS

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GROUP 7 RUGBY LEAGUELADIES LEAGUE TAG 1 KIAMA 18 d JAMBEROO 4KIAMA PHOTOS

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GROUP 7 RUGBY LEAGUE LADIES LEAGUE TAG - 2JAMBEROO 18 d KIAMA 16KIAMA PHOTOS

Alicia Dooley will make history on July 13 when she runs out for the 200th time in the Group 7 Competition. Dooley will not only be the first woman to do this in Group 7 history, but she has also done it at the same club and will therefore also be the first woman to play 200 games for the Jamberoo Superoos. “I didn’t think it would be me, there’s been a lot of players that have probably played just as long, or started before I did, but it just feels pretty good to be able to do it for one club. I think it's a big thing because in Group 7 people move around a lot. So, it's a pretty unreal feeling, but it's good at the same time,” says Dooley. Alicia Doolan winning the 2016 premiership. Credit - Gameface PhotographyShe began her career playing League Tag in 2013 when there was only one competition and since then women’s involvement in rugby league has only grown with there now being two competitions, a tackle competition and now a junior competition. “It's really good for the game and it’s great for women to be able to get out and feel included in something that used to be a very male dominated sport,” says Dooley. Dooley has won the Group 7 premiership four times in her 11 year career and counts the first one in 2015 and the most recent one in 2023 as the most special. But she says winning is only a small part of why she keeps coming back year after year. “I’ve made a lot of friendships within sport that you don’t make anywhere … You have that undying connection with different people from different places and different walks of life. In our club alone we have a lot of people from out west, so our connections span far and wide. And that's what you always come back to: the friendships you make and the social side,” says Dooley. Dooley’s Jamberoo Superoos captain coach Aimee Barnard has played alongside Alicia for many years and would describe her as the perfect team and club member.  “Alicia possesses all the positive traits that make her such an integral part of the team. She is passionate, supportive, competitive, dedicated, levelheaded with a team first mentality,” says Barnard. Member of the Jamberoo club, David Hall, echoes this sentiment about Alicia and says its people like her that make him proud to be a part of the club. “It's just a really good little club and its people like Alicia who just make it really special. She’s loved in the club and who knows how many she’ll play until she retires,” says Hall. On July 13 Doolan will make history playing against the Kiama Knights at Kevin Walsh Oval and she is adamant that her 200th won't be her last. “I probably just want to continue to play until I can’t anymore and maybe one day bring my kids to the club and get them to play too,” says Doolan. The Bugle congratulates her and wishes her all the best with her future.  

Former Kiama High School student Danielle Heinecke, has recently taken up residence at the High Commissioner’s residence in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. As a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Heinecke was most recently the First Assistant Secretary of the Pacific Melanesia Division and now serves as the High Commissioner to Malaysia.Danielle Heinecke's academic credentials are as impressive as her career trajectory. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Arts in International Relations from the Australian National University, and a Master of Economics from the University of New England. With these qualifications, Heinecke entered the Australian diplomatic corps and has since served in various roles in Timor-Leste, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. She is proficient in Tetum and Tok Pisin, languages spoken in these regions.Australia and Malaysia enjoy robust economic ties. In 2022, Malaysia was Australia’s second-largest trading partner in ASEAN and the second-largest source of foreign investment from the region. The two countries are also close defence and security partners, collaborating under the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the Malaysia–Australia Joint Defence Program.In her role as High Commissioner, Ms. Heinecke oversees 46 departments, including Agriculture, Financial, Tourism, and Intelligence. Her extensive experience and leadership skills make her a pivotal figure in maintaining and enhancing the Australia-Malaysia relationship.On a recent overseas trip with his partner, Councillor Matt Brown took the opportunity to visit his old friend and former schoolmate Danielle Heinecke in Kuala Lumpur. During his visit, he reminisced about their shared history, including memories of Danielle’s mother, Ros Thomas, who was his science teacher at Kiama High School. Brown maintains regular contact with the Heinecke family, noting that Danielle’s father continues to work in Kiama.Danielle Heinecke’s journey from a local high school student to a significant diplomatic role exemplifies the far-reaching impact of dedication and education. Her story serves as an inspiration to many, illustrating how local roots can lead to global influence.

On the weekend of 5-8 July, the Kiama Netball Association (KNA) competed at the HART Junior State Titles, with both teams performing really well.The U13’s team won the title while the U12’s team came close and were the runners-up.The U12 Runners-Up“It’s been a little while since we’ve had that success, particularly with more than one team. Usually we might get one team out of the five or six that we send away, so to get the two of them being so successful is a pretty big thing for us,” says a thrilled KNA president Michelle Gregory.Gregory attributes the success to the hard work put in by the players and the team spirit within the group.“I think they've trained really hard, even with all the rain and everything that we’ve had, they kept training through it all. The coaches have worked hard on creating a really nice team spirit across the two different teams so that helped when games were close or tough. I think the girls really rallied around each other and helped get themselves over the line,” she says.The U13’s team were completely undefeated over the three days, even though they had a brief hiccup just before the weekend.“They had a last-minute change due to illness, and we had to withdraw a player on the Monday before they left and add in a training partner,” Gregory says.She explains that the whole weekend was successful, not only the results but also the relationships and the memories that the players made.“They were in the tents together the whole time, and on the court at the same time, so they did spend an awful lot of time together hearing from each other about how the games were going. I think there will be lots of netball memories for them.” The girls wore Destination Kiama caps, which they wrote messages on and gave to other teams.Councillor Matt Brown says that the success of the teams and this tradition of sharing caps is a great way for people to learn about the great place, which is Kiama.“I’m really pleased that our netball team are not only promoting their sport and their prowess, but they’re supporting visitors coming to Kiama. These girls are sharing their Kiama caps with girls from right around the state, and I think that is a wonderful thing that our sport is doing to promote Kiama as a destination.” 

SOUTH COAST GROUP 7 RUGBY LEAGUEFIRST GRADEGERRINGONG 56 d MILTON - ULLADULLA 12

By Jenifer SymesThe Shoalhaven Dressage Club is deeply saddened by the passing of CP Dresden, a much loved and celebrated horse in Grand Prix dressage.Under the ownership and guidance of Life Members Jane and Maurice Bruce, CP Dresden - affectionately known as ‘Desi’ - was a champion.Initially trained and competed by Jane Bruce, Desi's career blossomed under her watchful eye. His exceptional talent provided two young riders from the Shoalhaven region, Alycia Targa and later Charlotte Phillips, with unprecedented opportunities.Alycia Targa's partnership with Desi spanned eight years, marked by numerous triumphant Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle performances, which earned them legendary status in Australian equestrian circles.Charlotte Phillips continued Desi's legacy, forging a graceful partnership that culminated in a memorable qualification for the 2023 World Cup in Omaha, USA.Their final performance together at the 2024 Sydney CDI, showcased their prowess in the Grand Prix Freestyle, and consolidated Desi's enduring legacy on the sport.Reflecting on Desi's profound influence, Alycia Targa expressed heartfelt gratitude for their journey together. She said Desi was a steadfast companion and a source of inspiration.Charlotte Phillips recalled how Desi's exceptional abilities and Jane Bruce's guidance turned a distant dream into a reality, describing their partnership as a life-changing experience akin to ‘flying’.Tragically, Desi's life was cut short at the age of 16 due to complications from colic. The Shoalhaven Dressage Club extends its deepest condolences to everyone touched by Desi's remarkable spirit.Jenifer Symes, Media Liaison for the Shoalhaven Dressage Club, said Desi was a once-in-a-lifetime horse.

Two of Kiama’s biggest junior sporting clubs have embraced the NSW Government’s ‘Shoosh for Kids’ program which urges spectators to remain positive whilst watching junior sport.Both the Kiama Knights Junior Rugby League Club (JRLC) and the Kiama Netball Association (KNA) are supporting the campaign, which ran for the June.President of the KNA, Michelle Gregory, says the program reminds people they’re watching junior sport, and that it’s more about creating a fun atmosphere than competition.“It's a good reminder to parents and spectators about what the essence of junior sport is, which is just for the kids to come along and get some exercise and make some friends and have some fun,” said Gregory.The program involves making announcements on game day, spreading awareness through social media and having signage at the sporting venues.“We just make some announcements on Saturdays to remind people that it's ‘Shoosh for Kids’ month. And we're provided with a lot of social media materials that we can put on Facebook,” said Gregory.Leticia Olivera, whose son plays for the junior Kiama Knights, said the campaign was a successful reminder for parents.“I think it’s a good program, it’s important to give these kids a fun atmosphere and to not put so much pressure on them. I don’t think it’s too big of a problem, but it’s a nice little reminder that we’re not watching the NRL here,” said Olivera.President of the Kiama Knights JRLC, Carl Middleton, is passionate about junior sport and he believes the campaign will help in making a child’s sporting career something to remember.“I want our club to be a memory for these kids when they grow up so that they can look back on their time playing junior sport and reflect when they're young adults and basically say to themselves ‘We had a really good time playing with that club,’” said Middleton.But Middleton and Gregory said the program was not about having complete silence at games, more that people should think before they speak.“It comes down to being respectful. A lot of people go to our games with the intention of just being there to support the kids, so we don't ask people to silence themselves because the majority of people are just there to support the kids and have fun,” said Middleton.The Kiama Knights JRLC and the KNA are two of the 250 sporting clubs and associations supporting the ‘Shoosh for Kids’ program.

Group 7 Rugby League will be celebrating NAIDOC week this weekend, 6 and 7 July, with their annual NAIDOC round. Group 7 Operations Manager, and former NRL and Gerringong Lions player, Ashton Sims had to make some big decisions on Friday 5 July to ensure that, despite the rain, the weekend could go ahead.  “It would’ve been easy to just call all the games off but we had grounds available, we had green space there. A big thank you to both Shellharbour City Council and Shoalhaven City Council for allowing this weekend to go ahead. It’s a special weekend. It’s a weekend that means a lot to us and a lot of people all up and down the south coast in our region. Now we’re able to celebrate this momentous occasion and move forward,” said Sims. Senior Kiama Knights wearing the NAIDOC jersey. Source Kiama Knights Senior Football Club.First grade games will now be taking place at the Cec Glenholmes and Ron Costello Ovals and Sims is excited that Group 7 will still get the chance to celebrate NAIDOC week properly. “The Narellan Pools South Coast Group 7 Rugby League Competition is really proud to facilitate our NAIDOC round this weekend. To pay respect for our First Nations people all across the South Coast,” says Sims. “We gave all our clubs the opportunity to engage with local Indigenous artists and come up with a jersey that encapsulates their region, their mob, their area with traditional totems and symbols. And we’ve come out with some incredible jerseys by some incredible artists.” The Kiama Knights first grade team will be wearing a jersey designed by artists Jarrahna, Kaelen, Harper, Mila and Tyiara from the junior Kiama Knights. The Kiama Knights released the story of their jersey and outlined what each young artist added to it and why. “Jarrahna wanted to include how we play footy by the sea and wanted to incorporate the gathering place and coastline where we get to meet, gather and play. Kaelen drew a blue whale which is his family’s totem and filled it with symbols for family, friends, Mum and Dad. The whale’s mouth has wavy lines which depict a river where his Indigenous grandparent lives,” wrote the Kiama Knights Senior Rugby League Club. “Harper also drew a whale to represent her family from the Botany Bay area of the Dharawal (Tharawal) nation. Mila (a Wiradjuri girl) drew the boomerang because her family always comes back to each other. And she drew her totem of the goanna. Tyiara drew a blue whale and meeting place which were incorporated into the jersey design.” Kiama Knights captain Kieran Poole is thrilled that First Nations’ players will get to combine their culture with their passion. “For me NAIDOC round is an important chance for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to share their culture and stories and represent their people playing the game they love,” says Poole. “It will be really cool knowing we are wearing something designed by First Nations players from our junior Knights.” This year's theme “Keep The Fire Burning: Blak, Loud and Proud" encapsulates the unapologetic celebration of First Nations’ identity and invites all Australians to listen, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue, fostering a society where the wisdom and contributions of First Nations peoples are fully valued and respected.    

Kiama RUFC added two more wins to their season overall on Saturday, 28 June, when the club hosted the Woonona Shamrocks.This was the first home game in a while, and coach James Patrick said it was nice to be back at the Kiama Showground. “A little more fun for the boys. The last couple of weeks have been a bit muddy, rainy and windy. It’s horrible to come out and play those games.”The round-11 game had all the ingredients for a great afternoon of rugby: sunny skies, a good-looking ground and a vocal, happy crowd. And let’s not forget the canteen, serving up sausage rolls and pies.Visiting Shamrocks didn’t receive any free points from the first grade, which converted a solid defence and strong passing into a 52-12 win. The second grade took an early lead with Shamrocks coming back in the second half. But Kiama managed to hold on, winning 24-17.“It’s pleasing as a coach but we still got so much to work on,” said Patrick. “We’re sort of in a place where we’re still in a rebuilding stage. The guys go to get comfortable with how each other plays. But we’re getting there so it was not too bad.”“I’m happy with the way they played, certain parts of the field were really good. And it’s good to see the smiles on everybody’s faces.”Moving into the second half of the draw, Kiama RUFC’s next game is away against Campbelltown on Saturday, 6 July. In other news, Kiama rugby juniors Rico Ross and Callum Hodgson represented Kiama High School and NSW at the 50th annual Australian Schools Rugby Union (ASRU) Championship in Queensland, 1-5 July. Ross received the Best and Fairest award for the Firsts. He was also selected to the NSW Juniors team to compete at the Australian Championships in Queensland.  

Pickleball is now on at the Kiama Leisure Centre every Sunday, from 2-4pm. Players of all levels are welcome. Bookings are essential as numbers are limited. Cost is $15 per person. Pickleball junior camps will be held on Tuesday, 16 July from 1:30-4pm. The camps involve fun, fitness and the chance to learn a new sport, which is exploding in popularity. Cost is $30  per person and all equipment is provided on the day.Pickleball for beginner adults will be held on Thursday, 18 July from 1:30-4pm. A fun new sport, which provides fun, fitness and energy in a social environment. Spots are limited and bookings are essential. Cost is $30 per person..For pickleball programs and bookings, contact Paul Summerside on: 0437430731 or email: [email protected].

He’s a Kiama legend.Some of his early team mates players - now grown-up men in their forties - still call him “Mister.” But Michael Tierney, who’s been volunteering with the Kiama Knights Rugby League Football Club for the last 44 years, doesn’t make a fuss. “It’s not about me,” Tierney said. “It’s about the kids who want to play footy.”On most weekends, you’ll find him down at the Kiama Showground or the Chittick Oval, helping out.  This Saturday is no different. Around 10:30am, Tierney will take on the ground manager’s job.“That’s fine, I’ll do that for three or four games. And then, I’ll leave,” he chuckles. “You gotta have a break, sooner or later.” Kiama born and bred“I don’t do as much as now as I used to. But then again, I’m 74,” Tierney said.. Born at the hospital at the top end of town, and having spent most of his life here, Kiama is in his blood.Having volunteered for more than 40 years, he hopes to continue. Who would have thought when a mate of Tierney’s offered him the gig of a manager? “I said, yeah - I’ll do it but I had no idea what I was doing. But anyway, it just kept escalating from that,” he says.Tierney won’t forget the very first team that he managed.“The coach had the boys lined up. He introduced them, and I’m thinking, ‘How in Christ’s name am I going to remember all these kids’ names?” The boys in the Under 7s team were all blonde and about the same height.Eventually he knew every single name.Simple as that“They’re in their forties now, most of them still call me ‘Mister.’ I don’t need to be called that. But it’s, I suppose, a sign of respect,” Tierney reflects.“Doesn’t matter where you go, if you run into them, they’ll all stop and have a chat. If you’re at the club having a beer, they’ll stop and have a beer.”“People don’t realise the amount of friendships you make out of a club like this. I’ve made a lot of friends here in Kiama but I’ve also made friends managing the rep side, whether it be Bathurst or Singleton.Tierney has not only been involved with the Kiama junior league but also on the junior and senior rep side along with the Southern Division. The CRL (Country Rugby League) awarded him the Centenary medal in 2008, he was the finalist for CRL’s One Community Award in 2010 and Kiama Council awarded him the Australia Day Sports Award in 2011.But, Tierney says, “It’s not about the pats on the back that you get. It’s about seeing kids play the game that they want to play, and the future – it’s all in their hands. The rewards are what they put in.” The next generationThe only positions that he hasn’t held at the club are those of president and treasurer.“I just do it because I want to. I’ll admit, I’ve had several people in my life who have encouraged me to continue on with it. One of them was my grandmother when she was alive. She always said, ‘whatever you’re enjoying, just stick with it’,“ recalls Tierney.Nowadays, he enjoys seeing the new generation of volunteers coming through.“At the minute, we got some very good people involved with the club who go above and beyond. I take my hat off to them because not only are they involved with this club, they still work with the senior league. It takes a lot of time and a lot of effort to put out there for very little reward.“Without those people wanting to do it, the club wouldn’t exist.”Tierney will soon start his shift as a ground manager. Stepping outside, he points to the sky: “Look!” Across a charcoal-coloured sky, heavy with rain, spans the brightest of rainbows.It's another good day at the club.