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.

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.

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.

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.”

 

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.

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.

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