KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 10 MIXED COMPETITIONPEAK STREAK DRAGONS VS MINNAMURRA MAGIC

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 6UNICORN SISTERS VS EMERALD ENFORCERS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 6TAG DRAGONS VS LIGHTNING BOLTS

Kiama Cavaliers Cricket Club (KCCC) first grade captain, Jaya Hartgerink, has achieved an incredible milestone, surpassing 350 grade games for the club. The 41-year-old batsman, who first donned the Cavaliers colours in 1993 as a junior, made his debut in grade cricket in 1999, and has since become an integral figure in the KCCC’s history. Hartgerink’s 350 games include a record-breaking 261 matches in the top grade, a feat that stands as the most in the club's history.KCCC life member Bill Peters praised Hartgerink’s longevity and consistency, saying the fact he has continued to play at the highest level for such a long time is testament to his skill and dedication.“He hasn’t played lower grade cricket more or less since he started playing grade,” Peters says. In his first year of grade, in 1999, he played second grade and then the next year he played first grade. And the only time he’s ever played second grade since then is when the club dropped out of first grade for a couple of years.”In addition to his remarkable consistency, Hartgerink led KCCC to their maiden Sommers T20 trophy in 2022, steering the team to a thrilling win over Lake Illawarra. He played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring 40 runs, the second-highest total for his side.Despite his individual achievements, Hartgerink attributes much of his longevity to the camaraderie and mateship within the club.“I’ve made a lot of good friends at Kiama, and many of them are still playing with me,” Hartgerink says. “Some of these guys I’ve been playing alongside for 25 years. It’s also great to see the younger players coming through, which helps keep the team dynamic fresh and rejuvenates you.”Hartgerink’s commitment to the club extends beyond just playing. His passion for ensuring the future of KCCC is something he holds dear. “Going out with 11 guys each week and having a crack - that’s what matters to me,” he says. “I still enjoy it, and if I can help the younger players coming through, that’s where I’m at now. I’m committed to making sure the next generation of Kiama cricketers have a place to play in the future.”Peters, who captained Hartgerink in second grade during his early years at the club, spoke glowingly of his long-time teammate, both on and off the field.“He’s always been a committed player, and he’s such an affable bloke,” says Peters. “When Jaya’s got a smile on his face, it’s pure magic. He’s a fantastic person, a great friend, and always positive. His success is well deserved.”This season, the KCCC first grade team has had a mixed start, with two wins and three losses. But with players like Hartgerink at the helm, the team is eager to finish the season strong, with a crucial match against Shellharbour on November 30.The Bugle extends its congratulations to Jaya on an extraordinary achievement and looks forward to seeing what he accomplishes next!

From teaching lessons at Kiama Golf Club to competing against some of the world’s best at the BMW Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club, 23-year-old Wil Daibarra is representing Kiama on the world stage.Daibarra earned his spot in the prestigious event after a remarkable victory at the National Associate Championship on November 17, coming from six shots behind the leader to claim the title.As the winner, Daibarra earned the opportunity to compete in the BMW Australian PGA Championship, held from November 21 to 24, alongside some of the world's top golfers. He admits it took a moment to calm his nerves.“I was hitting balls next to Jason Day and Kiradech Aphibarnrat. It was pretty overwhelming seeing them right next to me on the putting green. I felt a little out of place at first, but as the week went on, I calmed down and got into the groove,” says Daibarra.The weather in Queensland was wild during the tournament, with 150mm of rain causing Friday’s play to be canceled. The harsh conditions and the added pressure of playing in front of a large crowd impacted Daibarra’s game.“I had a 1pm tee-off on the first day and got off to a hot start, shooting 2 under through 9. But then the rain started, the wind picked up, and I had a couple of bogeys. Friday was rained out, and on Saturday, with the weekend crowds, there were so many people out there,” says Daibarra.He finished the tournament at 6 over par, in 139th place overall. Though he wasn't thrilled with his performance, he relished the experience.“I wasn’t happy with how I played, but it was definitely nerve-racking—I'd never played in front of that many people before, and the course was tough. There were a few things I could have done better, but overall, it was a fantastic experience,” Daibarra says.In an interview with PGA Australia, Kiama Golf Club Professional Shaun O'Toole, who mentored Daibarra early on, described him as a natural talent with a laid-back attitude that made him stand out as a golfer.“I’ve worked with a lot of great kids, and Wil just had something in his swing that stood out to me,” O’Toole said. “There was no pressure on him. He had no expectations. He just went out and played and kept winning. It seemed like the easiest game in the world for him.”However, Daibarra acknowledges that the nerves and pressure caught up with him at the tournament. He’s now focused on managing his emotions and expectations to perform at his best.“On the first tee, I was so nervous I hit it way right. But once I got through that first hole, I was good. By the next day, I felt much more confident. It's something I’ve been working on—managing my expectations and emotions,” says Daibarra.Looking ahead, Daibarra is in the final year of his PGA Associate traineeship and has set his sights on playing his way onto the PGA Tour.“I’m finishing up my traineeship, with about a month to go. Next year, I hope to attend Qualifying School to secure a spot on the Australasian Tour. That’s the goal,” Daibarra says.

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 10 GIRLS FIRST NATIONAL ONE FITNESS QUEEN BEES VS TURBO TAGGERS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 6 COMPETITIONLITTLE LEGENDS VS POWER RAIDERS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 6 COMPETITIONLITTLE GLOWERS VS MUDCRABS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 14 BOYSVOODOO VOYAGERS VS TITANS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 14 BOYSKIAMA LIONS VS KD CREW

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 12 BOYSTHE MAD DOGS VS JUNIOR FRAMERS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAGUNDER 12 BOYSREBELS VS DRAGONS

350 nippers from Gerringong, Kiama, Kiama Downs, Shoalhaven Heads and Sussex Inlet swarmed Werri Beach on 24 November for the annual Saddleback Cup.This year's event marked the first time that Shoalhaven Heads and Sussex Inlet joined the competition, adding extra excitement and camaraderie to the already popular event.Now in its seventh year, the Saddleback Cup continues to grow in popularity, with surf clubs from across the region coming together for a day of fun and friendly competition. Despite challenging surf conditions, the event was a huge success, with young nippers eager to get involved and test their skills.Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club (SLSC) Vice President Mitch Payne reflected on the day’s success, highlighting the importance of encouraging participation rather than focusing solely on competition.“This year we invited Sussex Inlet and Shoalhaven Heads to get their kids involved and raise awareness for their clubs. It was busy, and the conditions were a bit rough and challenging for the kids, but they all got stuck in and had a blast. At the end of the day, it’s all about having a go and having fun,” Payne said.The Saddleback Cup was created seven years ago by Gerringong SLSC with the aim of increasing participation in surf life saving and fostering a competitive spirit in the region. Initially, it was a small event between the Kiama, Kiama Downs, and Gerringong clubs, with the goal of providing young competitors with a less formal and more enjoyable environment to develop their skills.“When we first started, not many of these clubs were competing in carnivals,” Payne says. “We wanted to help the kids build their confidence, improve their skills, and promote competition in a fun, relaxed setting.”Although the day is not about winning, Payne’s voice did seem to perk up when he announced that Gerringong SLSC ended up winners of the day.“Gerringong did come out at the top, but it was very close. I think it’s getting closer and closer every year,” says Payne.Looking ahead, Payne is confident that the Saddleback Cup is fulfilling its purpose of boosting participation and competitiveness in the local surf life saving community.“I think the Saddleback Cup is working really well,” Payne says. “Every year, we’re seeing more kids getting involved, developing their skills, and getting interested in competing. It’s great to see the enthusiasm growing, and it’s important for the future of surf life saving in the area.”Payne hopes that the event will continue to inspire the next generation of life savers. “We want to develop kids who’ll go all the way and become life savers themselves, volunteering their time to help keep our beaches safe.”A big thank you was extended by Payne to all the participating clubs, and he expressed his excitement for the event’s future.“We’re looking forward to next year and hopefully seeing even more kids getting involved in 2025,” he says.

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