Sports Archives - Page 67 of 118

Green, Green Hockey Grass Of Home

November 5, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

HOCKEY HOME… Mariah Williams is in Parkes this week to catch up with family and the hockey community after her second Olympic Games. She will be doing some training with junior players at the hockey fields on Sunday.

Parkes welcomed back its hockey super star this week when Mariah Williams returned for her fist visit since the Tokyo Olympics.

She attended a civic reception at Parkes Shire Council with her family on Tuesday night after her Kookaburra team excelled at the Tokyo Games in July winning five games only to went down to India in the quarter finals.

Speaking to The Parkes Phoenix on Wednesday morning Mariah said it was always such a beautiful feeling coming back to Parkes and the hockey community. “It feels like a really big family and everyone supports me. I think that’s one of the best feelings coming back and having everyone just being proud of me.”

She said having won their first game in Tokyo boosted their confidence after not playing any other team except New Zealand for 14 months. “The group was really happy and we were really proud of the way we were playing and I think that’s something that we will remember forever.”

Mariah said losing in the quarter final was really hard to swallow. “Even last night when they were talking about the experience of the last game, I teared up. But I love hockey so much and the confidence we gained have made us so excited for the World Cup and Commonwealth Games next year.”

While Mariah also has the Paris Olympics in her aim in three years’ time, she is starting to branch out in other areas of her life planning to enrol for a degree next year either in community work or health care. “I am a Wiradjuri woman and I am really big on the indigenous community and helping out there as much as I can. I am working with the Wirrpanda Foundation in Perth and their Deadly Sista Girlz program.”

By Maggi Barnard

Northparkes Pirates Invade Croquet Field

November 5, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Pictured are (L -R) Jamie Widauer, Tim Dunn, Robyn Teet and Justin Spalding.

The Parkes Croquet Club held a special event for a Northparkes Mines crew last Friday. Four teams played a game called pirates croquet where players aimed to steal each other’s points to add to their own tally. The best pirates of the day, with highest stolen points, were Justin Spalding, Phil Cann, Remeth Henry and Dave Richards.

Learn To Paddle A Dragon Boat

October 29, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

IMAGE CREDIT: Parkes Endeavour Dragons Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkesEndeavourDragons

Parkes Endeavour Dragons have a very exciting new initiative to offer to anyone who is interested in finding fun, fitness and friendship. Now that our freedom is increasing, there are many people wanting to break out from restrictions and get outdoors and active. This is what the Dragon Boat Club’s ‘Learn to Paddle’ programme is all about.

“Learning to paddle will give newcomers the opportunity of learning the skills and techniques of dragon boat paddling without having to keep up with a practiced crew,” said Parkes Dragon Boat Club Coach, Beth Thomas. “The programme will cater exclusively for beginners and be paced accordingly.”

‘Learn to Paddle’ is a five-week programme which will run on Sunday mornings from 10:30 to 11:30am at the beautiful Lake Endeavour. It will commence on 7th November and run until 5th December, finishing with a combined paddle with club members and an award presentation. The cost of the programme is $50 per participant, with this amount deducted from your membership fee if you decide to join the club.

Contact Beth Thomas 0418 253 045 for registration or more information.

Bowling In A Colourful Garden

October 29, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Round 2 of the Minor Championship Singles filled half the rinks on Tuesday at the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club. Winners through to the next round, to be played on or before 16th November, are Maureen Miller (defeated Fran Dixon), Lynn Ryan (df Carol Reed), Heather Harvey (df Kay Craft) and Lorraine Baker (df Julie Green). Some excellent bowls played, and all in the spirit of the game. Well done to all eight ladies. Thanks to the markers and Umpire Liz.

In social games, Hilda McPherson/Maria Willcockson/Gwenda Carty proved too strong for Valmai Westcott/Kate Keogh/Lea Orr.

Anne Wright/Kim Evans, sharing the lead spot, with Betsy John-stone and Brenda Davies were slow out of the gates, giving Eileen Bradley/Chris Cox/Marja Iffland too great a lead to peg back, but try they did! Similarly, Chris Curteis/Vi West/Rhona Went opened up a double figure lead against Beth Thomas/Jan McPhee/Helen Heraghty, stayed ahead, but won by just three points at the bell.

Groundsman Greg had a busy morning – we’re always grateful to Ground Control. Maureen was just as busy behind the bar. Thanks, dear lady!

Melbourne Cup is here on Tuesday, 2nd November, and it will be a day of casual bowls and serious bets. All welcome to put your name down at the bar (before tomorrow) for mixed bowls, mufti dress, Dev’s kitchen lunch, sweeps and a great time! $15 entry. Thank you to Maree Grant Photography for sponsoring the day!

The gardens and surrounds are an absolute picture at the moment! Well done to our gardeners with green thumbs! Come on

Women’s Bowls

October 22, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Over 30 chosen ones graced the turf for their weekly therapy session. Vi West and Brenda Davies came away with a win against the emotional pairing of Fran Dixon and Kate Keogh.

Hilda McPherson, Kay Craft and Maureen Baillie walked out under the delusion they may trap a win. Unfortunately, Rose Mitchell, Maureen Miller, Kim Evans and Robyn Morgan had other ideas and played the stronger game.

Lynn Ryan, Helen Heraghty and Heather Harvey took the lead by opening with a 5, and remained there, always mindful of leaving Eileen Bradley, Isabel Svensden, Carol Reed and Elaine Miller requiring therapy.

Beth Thomas, Lorraine Baker and Rhona Went played with good karma and focus, opening up a strong lead over Frances Charlton, Jan McPhee and Maree Grant. The latter overcame their negative vibes, but lost overall by a small margin.

By Lea Orr

Sports Awards

October 22, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Parkes Shire Council Sports Awards to recognise outstanding sporting groups and individuals in the Parkes Shire. The eight categories are Sports Person of the Year; Junior Sportsperson of the Year; Team of the Year; Coach or Manager; Referee or Official; Senior Team or Sportsperson; Administrator and Long Service and Dedication Award. Ron Harrison Sports Bursary of $2,000 provides financial assistance to particularly juniors who demonstrate the need for this assistance to further develop their career. All nominations must be made online via Council’s website this year at: www.parkes.nsw.gov.au/living-here/your-community/awards/. Entries close on 30th November.

Parkes Sharks In The Swim Next Week!

October 22, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Left: Morning Squad members practicing tumble turns; Right: Parkes Swimmers who competed for Western Bulls in the NSW Swim League over winter.

Training has started for the Parkes Sharks Swimming Club, and next week competition will start with a Family Fun Friday Night!

In an innovation for the club, the last Friday of the month will be a family night of fun for all. To start off with 29th October will be a series of relays and novelty events, followed by a picnic dinner (bring your own).

Whilst the event is being held under 80% Road Map protocols, the nearly 90 members of the club are more than champing at the bit to get back into competitive swimming.

It has been a long wait for the start of the season, but the swimmers are certainly putting all their lockdown energy stores (COVID-pounds) to good use, powering through the water at training sessions and doing their stretches. Coaches have been very impressed with their swimmers thus far.

Swimmers will be gearing up for the Parkes Carnival on 5th December where they will be able to pit their skills against many quality swimmers from the mountains and plains – Glenbrook to Lake Cargelligo, Peak Hill to Grenfell, and all towns and villages in between.

Summer carnivals after 1st December are all happening, and there will be a lot of fun and competition to keep the swimmers happy.

A highlight of the season will be the Mountains and Plains Summer Champion-ships in Orange in February.

It is not too late to join Parkes Sharks for this season. Training sessions are held most afternoons and mornings for the more advanced swimmers.

To join, you need to be of school age and be able to confidently swim 25m.

If you wish to see the fun that we have in Swim Club, come along and watch on Friday next week.

By Jay Quince

Club Fours Champs

October 15, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The final of the Women’s Club Fours was played on Tuesday at the Parkes Bowling & Sports Club. The champions for 2021 are Marja Iffland, Maria Willcockson, Gwenda Carty and Cherie Frame.

After a sluggish start, they rose to the occasion and went on to defeat the runners-up, Julie Green, Laurie Keane, Eileen Bradley and Carol Reed, 29 – 13. Thanks to umpire Liz.

Men’s Bowls

October 15, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

The first semi-final of the Minor Singles of the Club Championships was played with Greg Townsend against Rob Irving. It turned out to be a marathon match lasting 38 ends. For the first 25 ends Rob had a narrow lead. On the 26th end Greg scored 4 shots to lead for the first time 20-18. By the 37th end the scores were tied at 29 and after a tense last end Rob claimed the match 31-29. He will play in the final against either Gary McPhee or Brian Hampton.

Come Play Croquet

October 15, 2021 By Maggi Barnard

Players of all ages are turning up for games at the Parkes Croquet Club at the futsal courts of the Parkes Bowling and Sports Club at 2pm each Saturday.

A new points system was trialled for some competitive fun with the highest scorer of the day Bill Paul. Sue Maddison scored second, and tied on third were John Maddison, Helen McQuie and Beth Thomas.

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