The Kiama Rugby Football Club couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2024 season. In the season opener on April 13, against the backdrop of a sunny blue sky, a huge crowd had gathered at the Kiama Showground to see both grades win against the Tech Waratahs.The first grade beat the Tahs 45-13. Try scorers were: Mick Taylor, Nico Cowley (2), Manu Ahokovi, James Asquith, Smiki Lufe and Jack Hobbs.The second grade won 29-12. Try scorers were: Rory Lawrence, Sione Lufe, Daniel Grehan, Tonga Tonga, and Manu Ahokovi.“Both grades gave a great performance,” says players rep for the Kiama Rugby Football Club, Jack Smith. “We’re looking to go that extra stage with first grade and make the grand final.”“We saw improvement with the second grade. They’re off to a great start. Missed the final last year with two, three games,” he says. Kiama player, Scott Duncan, donned his black and white gear for his 300th game. He’s the seventh player in club history to pass the milestone.“Scott is a massive part of Kiama, on and off the field. You can chuck him in anywhere on the field, in any position. He’s a top-level player,” says Smith.He adds the crowd was the best that he’d seen in a long time for a home game, with approximately 300-400 people in attendance.The under 16s girls game unfortunately got cancelled due to the other team being stuck in traffic.But game day wasn’t quite over yet. The Kiama Blowhards celebrated their 35th in the evening, with 130 turning out for the reunion. Club members and former Wallabies Gary Grey, Alex Pope and Brian Weir also attended.“It was awesome. All the guys came. Two, three guys came down from Queensland and some over the mountains,” says James Regan.

GERRINGONG BREAKERS RED VS JAMBEROO SWIFTSO30 WOMEN'S SOCCERGERRINGONG 0 - all draw with JAMBEROO SWIFTS

GERRINGONG BREAKERS U12 GIRLS DIVISION 2GERRINGONG 2 d BULLI 0

GERRINGONG BREAKERS U13 GIRLS VS THIRROULGERRINGONG 0 drew with THIRROUL 0

KIAMA 1ST GRADE RUGBY UNION VS TECH WARATAHSKIAMA 45 d TECH WARATAHS 13

KIAMA 2ND GRADE RUGBY UNION VS TECH WARATAHSKIAMA 29 d TECH WARATAHS 12

KIAMA POWER WOMEN'S PREMIER DIVISIONKIAMA POWER 68 d NORTHERN DISTRICTS TIGERS 2

BT 16-1 KIAMA VS SHELLHARBOURKIAMA 34 d SHELLHARBOUR 8

BT 14-2 KIAMA RED VS GERRINGONGGERRINGONG 46 d KIAMA 0

JONES BEACH BOARDRIDERS CLUBGROMMETS

JONES BEACH BOARDRIDERS CHARGERS

JONES BEACH BOARDRIDERS CLUBCARVERS

JONES BEACH BOARDRIDERS CLUBPOINTSCORESHREDDERS

In a recent Forbes magazine survey, a range of fitness experts compared and rated a list of sporting activities across six categories, including muscular strength and flexibility. Squash was ranked the healthiest overall, based on its many physical benefits, including offering a great cardio workout, improved flexibility, ability to build lower body strength and endurance, and its kilojoule burn rate which supports healthy weight maintenance.Squash is a high-intensity workout and players use more energy than for almost any other sports. Squash is also an all-weather activity. It is easy to learn and can be played at any age, individually or in teams. and for leisure or as a competitive sport. Games and equipment can be modified to suit size, skill level and physical ability. Squash is particularly beneficial for growing minds and bodies. It combines strong physical activity (players build fitness, strength and agility via regularly running, leaping and diving for the ball) with the discipline, focus and mental strategy skills to anticipate the moves of, and outwit, an opponent – and to make quick decisions under pressure.In addition to the above, learning to play squash helps kids develop and build many important life skills and habits, including:Strong hand-eye coordination; Greater confidence and self-esteem;Improved psychological wellbeing and healthy stress release;Improved social connection - promoting camaraderie and teamwork, and providing an opportunity to make friends while engaging in healthy competition; Concentration, resilience, mental toughness, sportsmanship, and time management.Free Junior Training on SundaysGerringong Squash Club is committed to promoting the wonderful game of squash, especially in juniors – and is offering FREE Junior Training every Sunday from 3-4 pm, with Damien Collins of www.cheekymonkeysquash.com. Damien coaches all standards, from absolute beginners to professional players, and is strongly dedicated to seeing more young players take up the game.Group and Private TrainingOn Sundays, both before and after Junior Training, Damien is offering group and private squash lessons for those wishing to improve their fitness and standard of play.Gerringong Squash Club is located at 29 Belinda Street Gerringong.Bookings can be made through: Mark Allison (President) on 0418 233 985, [email protected] orDamien Collins (coach) on 0449 981 128, [email protected]

KIAMA WOMEN'S HOCKEY5TH GRADE KIAMA 0 drew with FAIRY MEADOW 0

Sporting and community organisations that support women and girls in the Gilmore electorate are being encouraged to apply for a Play Our Way grant.Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips said, following the success of the Diamonds and Matildas, the Albanese Labor Government announced the $200 million Play Our Way grant program, one of the country’s largest and most comprehensive investments in women’s sports.Mrs Phillips said the program would support local governments and community, not-for-profit and sporting organisations to deliver projects that make sport more welcoming and equitable for women and girls.“The Play Our Way grants will provide an opportunity for women in Gilmore to benefit from sport at all levels by addressing the barriers they experience when participating in sport and physical activity,” she said.“I urge local groups to apply for grants to help establish and improve sporting facilities which will encourage women and girls of all ages to take part in sport and physical activity.“Funding is also on offer for programs that encourage women and girls to participate and remain involved in sport and physical activity for life, by tackling barriers such as disadvantage or lack of equipment, and for programs that will lead to sustained cultural change in sport.”Mrs Phillips said many girls dropped out of sport and never joined back up as women. “We often see teenage girls move away from the sports field, and this was really noticeable during the COVID-19 lockdowns when many just didn’t go back,” she said.“I hope these grants will go a long way towards encouraging girls and young women to get back into their chosen sport, or to try something new.“Being involved in a sports team is obviously great for health and fitness, but it’s also important for your wellbeing. It’s a great way to build connections and make friends no matter your age.“I love sport and will always do what I can to encourage and promote sport and wellbeing right across our region.”Organisations of different sizes and capacity can apply, and each would be assessed on their own merit against the policy objectives of the Play Our Way program.Grants for participation and equipment programs will be from a minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum of $1.5 million. Facilities projects in small rural towns and remote communities will be able to apply for up to $2 million.Mrs Phillips said the Matildas success at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, coupled with the Diamond’s 2023 Netball World Cup win, showed Australia the power of women’s participation in sport and inspired a nation. “It’s time to support our grassroots clubs and organisations to harness this moment and open their doors to new and returning participants,” she said.“The Albanese Labor Government’s $200 million investment through the Play Our Way program will change the game, making sport more safe, equitable, accessible, inclusive and sustainable.”The grant program was designed with the assistance of experts across sport and government, including advice from Liz Ellis AO, Lauren Jackson AO, Tal Karp and Madison de Rozario OAM.The Play Our Way Program Grant Opportunity is now open for applications and will close 2pm (AEST) 29 April 2024. For more information and to apply head to GrantConnect or https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/play-our-way-program

As the Easter long weekend approaches, Marine Rescue NSW is bracing for an influx of boaters set to embark on the state's waterways. With anticipation high for a surge in maritime activity, Commissioner Alex Barrell has announced that the organisation's 3,300 volunteers stand ready to respond to any emergencies that may arise."Marine Rescue NSW has had a busy start to the year with over 1500 search and rescue missions," Commissioner Barrell stated. "We are expecting this Easter long weekend to be busy on the water."Highlighting the scale of their operations during previous holiday periods, Commissioner Barrell recalled last Easter's figures, noting that crews completed 109 search and rescue missions over the four days, ensuring the safe return of 247 individuals to shore.Emphasising the importance of safety measures, Commissioner Barrell urged boaters to utilise the Marine Rescue NSW app, which provides live weather updates, safety checklists, and allows users to log on with their local Marine Rescue NSW base for added security."It only takes a minute to protect a lifetime," Commissioner Barrell remarked. "Keeping across the weather is vital to safe voyage."He advised boaters to ensure they have sufficient safety equipment, fuel reserves, and have logged on with their local Marine Rescue NSW base before setting sail. Wearing a life jacket was also emphasised as a crucial safety measure.Marine Rescue NSW, a volunteer-based non-profit organization dedicated to boating safety and community support, stands at the forefront of maritime assistance in New South Wales.As boaters prepare to enjoy the Easter break on the water, Marine Rescue NSW remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

By David GrahamKiama Tennis Club, a hub for approximately 500 members spanning all age groups and skill levels, recently wrapped up its highly anticipated Club Championships on Sunday, March 24th, 2024. The event, now in its 63rd year, once again showcased the club's vibrant tennis community, offering a platform for players of varying abilities to vie for the coveted title of Club Champion for the year.In a thrilling showdown, Joe Moseley emerged triumphant in the Open Men’s singles final, besting newcomer Phil Ross in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. However, Ross found redemption in the Men’s doubles alongside partner Matt Terentis, clinching a hard-fought victory against the formidable duo of Dave Lehman and Joe Moseley.Experience proved to be the winning factor in the Open Ladies doubles final, as seasoned pair Karen Koks and Belinda Murphy outplayed newcomers Megan Minter and Dianne Fava, securing a commendable win with a scoreline of 6/4 7/5.The B Grade Mixed Doubles Round Robin drew enthusiastic participation, with Helga Pimm and Ralph Szuleroski emerging as the victors after a spirited contest against Milton and Gail Gaynor.Reflecting on the rich history of the championships, it's worth noting that the inaugural event in 1961 saw Tom Brown and Margaret Tozer crowned as the first champions in Men’s and Ladies' singles, respectively. Noteworthy figures like Norma Stead, a stalwart of the club now in her 90s, claimed consecutive Ladies titles in 1963 and 1964.The 1990s witnessed the dominance of Paul Summerside, former tennis coach at Gerringong, who clinched the Men’s title from 1992 to 1996 before embarking on an international journey to compete on the professional circuit and coach in Germany and Asia. Other luminaries who have etched their names in the annals of the championships include Mark Manchur, Gwen Hinchliffe, and Bjorn Meyers.The success of the 63rd Kiama Tennis Club Championships underscores the enduring passion and competitive spirit that define the club's tennis community, promising even greater excitement in the years to come.Kiama Tennis Club Championships 2024Kiama Tennis Club with around 500 members is able to cater for all ages and certainly  all abilities of player -from Beginners to more advanced tournament players. To this end the Club Championships concluded on Sunday 24 March  2024. This event provides just that, a chance for the competitive players to compete amongst each other in a tournament environment to see who the Club Champs for 2024 would be. The 63rd Championships were quite successful with Joe Mozeley taking out the Open Men’s singles final against new club member Phil Ross in an entertaining match.Phil Ross and Matt Terentis turned the tables  in the Men’s doubles with a tight win against Dave Lehman and Joe Moseley. Veteran pair Karen Koks and Belinda Murphy showed all their experience in the Open Ladies doubles final to defeat newcomers Megan Minter and Dianne Fava 6/4 7/5.The B Grade Mixed Doubles Round Robin was well supported seeing Helga Pimm and Ralph Szuleroski  defeat Milton and Gail Gaynor.The first Club Championships held in 1961 was won by Tom Brown (men’s singles) and Margaret Tozer in the Ladies. Club stalwart Norma Stead now in her 90’s was the Ladies champion in 1963 and 1964. Paul Summerside (tennis coach at Gerringong) took out the Men’s title from 1992 to 1996 before heading overseas to compete on the circuit and work in Germany and Asia as a coach. Other winners of the prestige singles have been Mark Manchur, Gwen Hinchliffe and Bjorn Meyers.

KIAMA JUNIOR NETBALLUNDER 10 PRACTICE GAMES