Hastings secure minor premiership

By Gary Nichols

Hastings Valley Vikings look to have wrapped up the first-grade minor premiership with a convincing 24-12 victory over the Grafton Redmen on Saturday.

And in doing so, Grafton have slipped to fourth place on the Mid North Coast ladder, putting their chances of a home minor-semi-final in jeopardy.

Down 19-0 at the break, Hastings looked like putting the cleaners through Grafton until five-eighth Michael Wright found the line to give the Redmen fans a glimmer of hope.

However, Grafton rarely looked like they were in the contest letting themselves down with the fundamentals.

Grafton squandered a welter of possession and their line speed in defence was simply not up to scratch.

When they did control the ball, Grafton looked dangerous in attack asking plenty of questions of the Vikings’ defence.

The game was stopped midway through the second half after a scrum inside Vikings’ 20-metre zone went terribly wrong which saw Grafton Hooker Tyler Wratten-Hancock suffer a neck injury which required an ambulance to be called.

In some good news for the club, scans on his neck revealed no major damage.

For Grafton, scrum-half Jope Kurimosi and five-eighth Michael Wright both produced strong games while for Vikings, representative player Jeffery Ismail was brilliant at the back.

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Recognising our Local Sporting Champions

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan is making sure that 44 young Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are given every opportunity to follow their dreams.

At a Local Sporting Champions Award event today, they were presented with a certificate in recognition of their achievements and confirmed their grants from the Local Sporting Champions program.

“Those who received the Awards have excelled themselves representing the Northern Rivers on the state, national and international stage,” Mr Hogan said.

“The Local Sporting Champions program provides financial assistance to young people aged between 12 and 18 years to compete, coach or umpire in their chosen sport.”

“The Northern Rivers has produced some outstanding sportspeople in the past, and it is important that we support the next crop of our local sporting talent.”

“Unfortunately succeeding in sport doesn’t just take talent and determination – parents also often have to put their hands in their pockets to get their children to competitions. I’m very pleased to be able to help these families with financial support through these grants.”

“Sport is important in the development of young people: it teaches them life-long skills like teamwork, keeps them fit and healthy, and allows them to excel in something they love and enjoy.”

“I encourage any budding champions out there who have the opportunity of competing at a state, national or international event to apply for a grant by contacting my office or checking out the website ausport.gov.au.”

Our latest Northern Rivers Sporting Champions are:

• Lachlan Elphick from Goonellabah – Rugby Union
• Archie Sauer from Evans Head – Rugby Union
• Oliver Collings from McLeans Ridges – Rugby Union
• Mikayla Frey from Nimbin – Athletics
• Daniel Frey Nimbin – Athletics
• Quin Fisher-Nicholls from Spring Grove – Baseball
• Hannah Danforth from Lismore – Hockey
• Kitty Danforth from Lismore – Hockey
• Harry Hosking from Alstonville – Hockey
• Ava Smith from Geneva – Netball
• Jye Barlow from Lismore Heights – Basketball
• Joshua Harris from Kilgra – Hockey
• Josephine Payne from Eltham – Hockey
• Naomi Austin from Boat Harbour – Hockey
• Chloe Austin from Boat Harbour – Hockey
• Ezrah Selesele from Kyogle – Touch Football
• Maria Mitchell from Goonellabah – Hockey
• Makailee Close from Kyogle – Touch Football
• Wyatt Galvin from Kyogle – Swimming
• Jade Boyle from Kyogle – Swimming
• Archie Lassig from Uralba – Hockey
• Jayviah Harley from Kyogle – Swimming
• Lachlan Trease from Alstonville – Swimming
• Sophie Alcorn from Goonellabah – Netball
• Banjora Porch from Goonellabah – Rugby Union
• Reggie Field from East Lismore – Rugby Union
• Harry Kilburn from North Lismore – Swimming
• Padraig Heffernan from Dunoon – Athletics
• Clayton Wilkinson from Spring Grove – Swimming
• Lilly Comber from Bexhill – Netball
• Isabella Rowe from Alstonville – Netball
• Talia Rowe from Alstonville – Netball
• Caelan Cooper from Evans Head – Volleyball
• Darcy Porch from Goonellabah – Touch Football
• Evie North from Wollongbar – Touch Football
• Max Venables from Goonellabah – Hockey
• Chloe Keep from Shannon Brook – Netball
• Jaymie-Rose Leadley from Casino – Netball
• Lexi Cadman from Shannon Brook – Netball
• Taylah Pederson from Casino – Netball
• Alice Shields from Casino – Netball
• Paiten Hampson from Greenridge – Netball
• George Mitchell from Goonellabah – Hockey
• Paige Dalby from Broadwater – Swimming

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Lismore and Ballina prepare for NSW Women’s Masters Hockey Championships

Get ready for an action-packed weekend of hockey as Lismore teams up with Ballina to host the NSW Northern Division Women’s Masters Hockey Championships.

The event kicks off on Friday, 26 July and runs through to Sunday, 28 July, at the Goonellabah Hockey Centre in Hepburn Park and the Ballina Hockey Centre.

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg said the collaboration between Lismore and Ballina showcases the strength and unity of our communities.

“A lot of effort has gone into developing our Hockey Centre and hosting an event of this magnitude in Lismore is a significant achievement,” he said.

“This event not only brings top-tier hockey to our area but also offers an opportunity for local businesses and the community to benefit from the influx of visitors. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved and I encourage our community to come out and support the event.”

This year’s championships will feature 50 teams with over 850 competitors competing for top honours across the two venues. The NSW Women’s Masters Hockey Championships, which began in 1985 in Newcastle with only 16 teams, has grown significantly in size and stature over the years.

President of Far North Coast Hockey Inc., Nathan Kesteven, said we are thrilled to be hosting the NSW Women’s Masters Hockey State Championships.

“This event not only celebrates the athleticism and sportsmanship of our players but also fosters a sense of camaraderie and community spirit among all participants,” he said.

“We’ve had a huge amount of interest from our local players and this year will be entering 5 highly competitive teams in the event, from the Over 34 Div 1 team up to the Over 55’s Div 1.”

“We are looking forward to welcoming teams, supporters and hockey enthusiasts to what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of competition.”

For the first time, the Championships will be held on the Far North Coast, marking a significant milestone for the region. The championships promises to be an exciting and competitive event, showcasing the talent and dedication of athletes from across the northern part of the state.

Local residents and visitors are invited to attend the event, support the teams and enjoy the exciting matches and vibrant atmosphere of the championships. The first game commences at 11am on Friday, 26 July at the Goonellabah Hockey Centre, 214 Oliver Avenue, Goonellabah and the Ballina Hockey Centre at 2C Bentinck Street, Ballina.

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