Sports – Page 2

Soccer Returns To Harrison Park

July 10, 2020 By editor

Last Saturday saw the return of the Parkes & District Amateur Soccer Association’s competitions after a short delay due to COVID-19. It was great to welcome everyone back to Harrison Park and to see lots of smiling faces enjoying the great game of soccer.

Although Round 2 kicks off this weekend, it is still not too late to register for the 2020 season. Registrations will be accepted until 31st July. For more details regarding registrations go to www.pdasa.sportingpulse.net.

Draw for tomorrow, Saturday 11th July:
• UNDER 6: 12.20pm G1 Panthers v Cheetahs; 12.20pm G2 Lions v Tigers.
• UNDER 8: 12.00pm G8 Eagles v Hawks; 12.00pm G9 Falcons v Emus; 1.10pm G9 Budgies v Magpies.
• UNDER 10: 12.15pm G4 Jets v Mari- ners; 12.15pm G5 United v Roar.
• UNDER 12: 12.30pm G11Olympic v Vic- tory; 2.00pm G11 Power v Warriors.
• UNDER 17: 12.10pm G6 Thunder v Rovers; 12.10pm G7 Rangers v Wolves.
• OPEN LADIES: Friday Night 6.00pm G10 Parkes Hotel Football Club (PHFC) v Star Hotel Cougars. Saturday 1.30pm G10 Raptors v Commercial Kookaburra’s; 3.05pm G7 Peak Hill All Stars v Forbes Wildcats.

It’s Game On

July 3, 2020 By editor

Community sports teams were able to resume competition from this week on 1st July as the NSW Government continues to ease Coronavirus restrictions.

Sporting codes in Parkes returning include junior hockey, senior hockey, soccer, WPL soccer, rugby, netball and dragon boating.

The eased restrictions include full-contact sport, and food and beverage stalls at facilities will be able to open too.

All participants must adhere to strict health measures to ensure the safety of everyone with every code applying specific measures related to the sport.

Landmark Event For Parkes Tennis

June 19, 2020 By editor

GREAT TO BE BACK… Jake Magill from Parkes playing a match at the very first tennis competition to be back since the COVID-19 lockdown earlier this year.

Parkes Tennis Club staged the very first regional sporting event last weekend since the NSW Government shut down all sporting codes due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) event targeted a niche market of players who met the standard criteria. The players involved have an Australian ranking, are involved in the college recruitment system, or want consistent level based matches.

Players travelled from Tamworth, Gunnedah, Canberra, Penrith, Lithgow, Eglinton and Dubbo, while seven players from Parkes took part: Jake Magill, Ben Evans, Andrew Slattery, Joseph Tanswell, Gabe Goodrick, Abbey Kennedy and Maddy McCormick.

All players were guaranteed 4 or 5 best of 3 set level based matches. Parkes is part of a six-event series with Paramount Club at Dubbo. The next event is in Dubbo on 28th and 28th June while the remaining two Parkes events are on 11th and 12th July and 8th and 9th August.

UTR is a global system that rates every tennis player regardless of age, gender, or nationality on a 16-point scale. It’s an objective, results driven rating driven by the strength of your opponent, the amount of games you win and playing 30 matches within one year to show consistency.

As an example, right now Novak Djokovic is 16.18, Alex DeMinaur is 15.73, Ash Barty is 13.36, Jake Magill is 10.18, Ben Evans is 8.16 and Abbey Kennedy is 5.40.

Parkes Tennis run all of their competitions through the UTR systems and competitions organiser Helen Magill is encouraging all players in junior and senior competitions to download the app and sign up and make their profile at www.myutr.com.

TennisNSW will be staging a UTR super series for juniors throughout the Central West starting early July. More information will be provided on the Parkes Tennis Facebook page as it comes to hand.

By Helen Magill

Sports Grants Include Diverse Range

May 22, 2020 By editor

Sophie and Natalie Williams of the Parkes School of Dance receive their $2,500 grant from Ali Standen of Northparkes Mines.

Nine recipients received a share of almost $40,000 in the latest round of the Sports Grants Program of CMOC-Northparkes Mines and Parkes Shire Council.

Parkes Sports Council Chairperson, Alan Gersbach was delighted that more projects had been put forward for selection including a diverse range of sporting pursuits.

One of the projects will see a brand new event coming to Parkes once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Parkrun Australia received a grant of $7,500 to get a weekly 5km Parkrun event going. It is a free community event and takes place all over the world.

The other successful applicants were:
$1,700 to Parkes District Cricket Association to purchase a PA system for use at Woodward Oval by both cricket and soccer clubs; $5,000 to Peak Hill MPS to purchase three Hydrorider Aqua Bikes for use with the Aqua Fitness program targeting men aged 35-65; $2,024.30 to Parkes and District Kennel Club to purchase additional agility equipment to allow trials without the need to hire equipment; $5,000 to Parkes and District Soccer Association to purchase soccer goals to develop a new venue at Woodward Oval and be home to a new regional premier league side called the Parkes Cobras; $2,500 to Parkes School of Dance to purchase hardware and software to run a virtual studio for online live classes for students to participate in classes from home, which would expand the program to remote locations including Tullamore and Trundle; $8,000 Parkes Marist Junior Rugby League to upgrade the speakers, microphone and amplifier at Jock Colley Field to improve the PA system, which is supported by senior league and Parkes Soccer; $2,000 to Parkes PCYC to purchase sports equipment for use in their after schools programs; and $4,700 to Parkes Sporting Shooters Association the purchase of a new clay target thrower.

The joint funding agreement between Northparkes and Parkes Shire Council has distributed $170,000 in sports related funding over the last three years.

Woodward Pavilion Sporting A New Look

March 20, 2020 By editor

WE’RE ALL FAMILY… Family members of Wes Cheney at the opening of the refurbished pavilion at Woodward Oval were: At the back Ian Cowle, Andrew White and Graeme Cheney. Middle: Janell Cheney, Janine Boschman, Helen Kenyon and Annie Burke. Front seated: Loris White and Vivienne Cunningham and sitting on the ground is Ella Burke.

Family members, cricket players, supporters and officials gathered at the Woodward Oval last Saturday for the official opening of the restored 61-year-old Wes Cheney Pavilion.

“It is wonderful to see so many of Wes Cheney’s family here today,” said Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM. He remembered Wes as a very humble man who never talked about all he did for sport in Parkes.

Master of Ceremonies Michael Greenwood called Wes a real Trojan who volunteered so much of his time in providing and maintaining recreation facilities in Parkes and was instrumental in the formation of the Parkes Sports Council, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

The pavilion was named after the late Wesley Berry Cheney in 2015 in recognition of his herculean voluntary contribution to the Shire’s sporting community.

The $297,000 amenities upgrade, thanks to a collaboration of local and state government and sporting associations, included the replacement of all the internal and external walls and floors, renailing of roofing iron, installation of a new kitchen, upgrades to the change and shower rooms, as well as the construction of a new unisex toilet. A new awning and retaining wall were also constructed as part of the project.

“This will ensure the ongoing attraction of local, regional and state cricket fixtures, as well as inclusive community participation in sport for both males and female players,” said the Mayor.

The upgrade was funded in partnership by the NSW ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Cricket Legacy Fund ($100,000), Australian Cricket Infrastructure Fund ($50,000), Parkes Shire Council ($142,000) and Parkes & District Cricket Association ($5,000).

Matt Ellis from Cricket NSW said: “I am so happy this facility is here to help grow the game of cricket.”

For Dan Gordon, representing senior cricket in Parkes, the new lights at the Woodward Oval makes it magical to play at the oval, but the addition of the upgraded pavilion is “the cherry on top”.

Currently, the Wes Cheney Pavilion is home to 250 senior and 220 junior registered cricket players.

Parkes Colts Take Premiership

March 20, 2020 By editor

Many keen cricketing pundits were forecasting a closely contested final between minor premiers Parkes Colts and an inform Cowra Bowling Club at the Woodward Oval last Saturday.

Parkes Colts however turned it into quite a one-sided affair after they produced a stunning bowling and fielding effort to dismiss Cowra Bowling Club for 97 runs in 35.2 overs.

The Colts then made short work of their run chase to score 1/98 in 20.1 overs, only losing the wicket of opening batsmen Peter Yelland off the last ball of the game as Peter was stumped off a wide that gave Colts victory.

It would be fair to say that the Dunford brothers, Phil and Paul, played major roles in the Parkes Colts premiership success as Phil secured the excellent bowling figures 5/24 off 9 overs including 3 maiden overs. Paul continued his rich rein of batting excellence to score a dominant 59 not out with 7 fours in 70 minutes to pilot the Colts home to a most emphatic 9 wicket victory.

The match began with a superb bowling blitz from Colts bowlers Brent Tucker and Andrew Britt as they smashed through the early order Bowling Club batting. Andrew Britt, by securing 2 wickets in his opening over, gained plenty of approval from his teammates. The entry of Phil Dunford to the bowling crease saw wickets tumble, but Michael Curtale’s valiant 49 provided the backbone of the Cowra Bowling Club innings of 97. The Colts young bowler Zac Larkins was delighted to take a wicket with his first ball before finishing with the very tidy figures of 1/5 off 3 overs.

In reply Colts openers Pater Yelland and Paul Dunford carried on the tradition of great Australian opening pairs such as Bob Simpson and Bill Lawry, Geoff Marsh and Mark Taylor in guiding the Colts to a memorable victory.

By Luke Nash

Footy Tipping Results – Round 1

March 16, 2020 By editor

Ladies Bowls

March 13, 2020 By editor

Thirty keen bowlers took time out from queuing for rolls at Coles to enjoy their favourite game on an absolutely perfect day. The greens are just awesome. Thank you to the grounds guys!

Club singles matches: Liz Byrne df Lorraine Baker. Betsy Johnstone df Lea Orr. Rhona Went df Robyn Morgan. Maree Grant df Jan McPhee.

The third round of the club singles is to be played on or before 24th March: R. Went vs M. Grant and B. Johnstone vs L. Byrne

Social bowls: Frances C, Chris C and Margaret H had a win over Kay C, June B and Di H, 16 – 13. Valmai W, Gwenda C and Maja I just pipped Carol R and Kate K at the post, 15 – 13.

Salva H, Lynn R and Kim E had a close game against Jean K, Eileen B and Mau- reen B with the lead changing several times. Relief for Salva, Lynn and Kim as they took the win, 17 – 16

Pennants are fast approaching with games scheduled for 7th April. Practice play Friday, 20th March at 4pm.

All members are gearing up for the PBSC Centenary celebrations from 17th to 19th April.

Rock Climbing In Parkes!

March 13, 2020 By editor

Welcoming news of the funding for the PCYC climbing wall last week were (L-R) Cr Kenny McGrath, Mayor Ken Keith, PCYC Club Manager Tim Watts, Sam Farraway MLC, Inspector David Cooper and Cr Bill Jayet with some excited children.

The range of recreational activities in Parkes received a major boost last week with the announcement of a rock climbing wall to be installed at the PCYC this year.

“We are very excited,” said Manager Tim Watts. “This will be a great new initiative to keep people active in our town.”

Sam Farraway MLC was in Parkes last week to bring the great news of $82,620 in funding secured from the NSW Government’s Stronger Country Communities Fund.

The funding will pay for the wall in full according to Tim. He said it was such good news for the club following a very strong response from community members in feed-back received on the possibility of getting a wall.

Tim could not give an exact date as to when it would be installed, but said it would be this year. “It will be installed at the back of the court in the main hall, and will cater for all ages from kindergarten to adults. There will be different climbs to cater for a mix of abilities.”

Tim said they were looking at starting term-based classes to teach climbing, and also have open sessions for people of all ages to promote healthy and active life- styles and support anyone serious about rock climbing.

“Rock climbing has been introduced into the 2020 Olympics making this an exciting new addition to the great program PCYC offers to local kids and their families,” said Sam Farraway. “It may even inspire some future Olympians.”

Terrific Carnival For Middleton

February 28, 2020 By editor

Middleton first, second and third place champions: Back (L-R) – First place: Elizabeth Smeaton, Jett Clarke, Chelsea McMaster and Hayden Lamond. Middle – Second place: L to R: Aliza Roberts, Max MacGregor, Meg Skinner and Walter Smeaton. Front – Third place: Avi Sadykova, Leon Spicer, Marcus Skinner, Joselyne Folau, and Caylan Neilsen.

Perfect weather and very enthusiastic students made for a terrific swimming carnival for Middleton Public School recently with outstanding champions as a result.

Some races were so close it kept the judges and time-keepers on their toes! Kingsford won the house competition and the ‘Standen Family Supporters House’ trophy.

House competition winners Kingsford House Leaders (L-R) Harry Smith, Ashton Cohen, Elly Smith and Lani Roach.

Hayden Lamond was the senior boys champion, followed by Walter Smeaton. Chelsea McMaster was the senior girls champion with Meg Skinner in second place. Jett Clarke and Elizabeth Smeaton were the junior champions, while Max MacGregor and Aliza Roberts came in as second place junior champions.

First place champions (L-R) Elizabeth Smeaton, Jett Clarke, Chelsea McMaster and Hayden Lamond.

The fastest boy and girl over 50m on the day for the Charlton Shield were Walter Smeaton and Chelsea McMaster.

The team spirit demonstrated by all students was an impressive sight to see!

By Judy Fisher