After four months of training, the newest sports club in Parkes stepped out in club colours for the first time to take on a formidable challenge. Eighteen members of the Parkes Dragon Boat Club put up their paddles for the Mudgee 20km challenge held at Lake Windermere recently.

A total of three boats took part in the inaugural event organised by the Mudgee Dragon Boat Club with paddlers also from Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst, Forbes and Illawarra. The Endeavour Dragons took to the water with nervous excitement and remained focused even when the conditions turned blustery with very choppy waters whenever ski boats passed by.

“We rode some rough water at times but everyone remembered the drills we went through at training with Coach Warren Edwards, and that powered us through with style,” said President Bill Thomas, who steered his team safely through the tough conditions as sweep.

Bill was very happy with his mostly novice crew’s first performance. “The jubilation on everyone’s faces getting out of the boat told the story,” he said.

The Endeavour Dragons have started preparing for their very first race in Bathurst next month, the Western Region Regatta. New members are always welcome to join the Parkes Dragon Boat Club, or to just come for a try out at Lake Endeavour.

Summer time sessions are on Thursday 5:45pm for 6pm on the water, and Sunday at 8:30 am for 9am on the water. Contact 0418 253 045 for more information.

By Maggi Barnard

Seven clubs have received grants in the latest round of the Sports Grants Funding Program of CMOC-Northparkes Mines and Parkes Shire Council. The successful applicants are: Parkes Gun Club $6,205.23 to build three trap house layout tracks; Parkes Horse and Pony Club $6,996 to provide an enclosed pony arena with soft sand; Parkes Hotel
Football Club $599 for portable training goals; Parkes Marist Junior Rugby League Football Club $2,815.30 for pads, tackle bags and padded hit shields; Parkes Railway Bowling Club $1,750 for seven new scoreboards; Parkes Senior Cricket $1,200 for 12 cricket helmets; Parkes Tennis Club $3,125 to sponsor participants in a three day coaching clinic; and Trundle Central School $6,000 for high jump mats and poles. Total amount of grants $28,690.53.

The next round opens in December with $25,000 available for sports related projects.

Parkes was well represented at the recent Hockey Masters World Cup in Spain with two local players running out for Australia. Maureen Massey and Graeme Tanswell played in Barcelona last month where 23 nations competed in men’s and women’s teams from over 35 to over 60 years.

Graeme played for the Australian Over 50s Men’s team who came home undefeated with the gold medal. Maureen Massey was goalkeeper of the Australian Over 60s women’s team and they won bronze. “It was a brilliant experience and to come home with some bling was an extra bonus,” said Maureen, who played in her third World Cup event, and represented Australia for the sixth time in her age division. It was Graeme’s first time in the Australian jersey.

Despite extremely hot conditions in Barcelona with the temperature reaching 40 degrees Celsius on some days, the Australian teams performed very well. “We played six games and finished up playing off for third and fourth position
against a Wattles Australian team,” said Maureen. This game finished with a one all draw so the bronze medal was decided upon by a penalty shootout won by our team 2 goals to 1.”

According to Maureen the best part of the experience was wearing the green and gold. “To represent your country is a huge honour at any age, although it does not come easily. There is a lot of time put into training, on fitness and skills. The levels of fitness of the women in this team is absolutely remarkable considering our ages.”

After a short break, Maureen will be flying to Perth at the end of September to participate in the Australian Women’s Masters Championships at Bunbury as goalkeeper for the NSW over 65 years women’s team.

By Maggi Barnard