Whitsunday Raiders hold their ground for another year of union



Peter Chengody and Bruce Spannagle on field.



Lack of players may have forced the Raiders to withdraw from the Mackay competition in 2011, but for club president Bruce Spannagle, the Proserpine/Whitsunday Raiders Rugby Union will be around for a long time yet.

"It (the club) will stay alive no matter what and we will keep the annual 7s competition going no matter what," Mr Spannagle said.

Dwindling player numbers in all sports have hit the Whitsundays hard, but with a great draw this year, Mr Spannagle, who has been involved with Airlie Beach rugby union for 16 years, is hoping for a strong group of players to sign on.a

"Union has always had a strong following but people have just dissipated. The whole area has lost players (but) I'm hoping to put together a cool group of senior players of about 12 or 13. Even if it's a different team each week, as long we keep playing."

In a positive move, the Whitsunday Raiders are currently recruiting players from overseas with two English players on the cards for the team as well as the prospect of hiring a captain/coach for the side.

Mr Spannagle said in an effort to help the struggling team, Mackay has also offered a fair draw for the Whitsunday Raiders this season.

Sign on day will be on Saturday, January 14 from 3pm at the sportspark and all interested are encouraged to sign up for the Whitsunday Raiders.

"Come on down. No matter how much experience or your fitness level, it's a great opportunity to train, hang out with the boys and make friends."

Whitsunday FC Women working the ball

Whitsunday FC Premier Women played the JPL under 17’s in a home game on Saturday. The game kicked off at 5pm ending in a final result of Whitsunday FC nil to JPL 7.

 Women’s manager Annette Tween said the team worked very hard, being up against a very well drilled unit (JPL). 

 “The opposition came out firing from the very first moment, scoring their first goal in the second minute.  More goals followed in quick succession with the score at the end of the first half being 4 nil,” she said. 

 “During the second half only three goals were scored by the opposition, and were it not for the incredible effort of keeper Becka Page, the ball would have found the back of the net many more times.”  

 Even more remarkable was the fact this was Becka's first game back since giving birth to her baby daughter only five weeks ago.

 “It was good to see Bec back. She made quite a few good saves and kept the score below double figures,” said team captain Emily Smart, who also commended Nichola Borellini as a stand-out player of the match.

 Georgia Murray, who was playing in the left midfield made a valiant effort to hold the JPL girls at bay but it didn't always go her way.

 “Likewise, Emily Smart tried to hold the team together but the JPL girls were far too quick with the ball and found their way around our girls to pass the ball to their striker,” Ms Tween said.

 “All in all this was a struggle for the Whitsunday FC ladies who worked their hardest minus some of their key players but to no avail.  They did not give up at all against one of the top Mackay teams,” she said.

 This Saturday, May 14, Whitsunday FC Premier Women will play another home game against City Brothers, kicking off at 5pm. Saturday’s club games will be held at the Whitsunday Sports Park, Jubilee Pocket, with spectators welcome to attend.

Proserpine Para-cyclist going for gold

Proserpine's 19-year-old David Nicholas has returned victorious from the Australian Para-cycling Road Championships and Oceania Championships held at Caloundra and the Glasshouse Mountains on April 9, 10, 16 and 17.
David, who was born with cerebral palsy, represented the Mackay Cycling Club (in the C4 division), taking home a total of four medals - one gold, two silvers and a bronze.
To read more on David's achievements and other Whitsunday sport stories, pick up a copy of this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available now from leading news agencies, service stations, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman St office in Proserpine.

Proserpine Taipans Junior Soccer kicks off this week

The Proserpine Junior Taipans Soccer Club will begin weekly training sessions this week.
Training will take place each Wednesday at the Proserpine Sports Park with games to commence at the beginning of the next school term.
All 6-15-year-olds are welcome to participate in the sport.
For more on this and other Whitsundays sport stories pick up the latest copy of the Whitsunday Coast Guardian available (in spite of the rain!) at leading newsagencies, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

Whitsunday FC girls on the ball

Women's soccer plays an integral role at the Whitsunday FC, where team members and club management are encouraging more players to come along.

According to manager Steve Tween, the Whitsunday FC girls' team has been running for approximately eight years, giving young women an opportunity to play in a solely female competition.

"I think that's a plus for them, especially the younger girls," Mr Tween said.

Women's manager Annette Tween said the team, which is now in its third season in the Mackay League, was continually improving. 

For more on this and other Whitsundays sport stories pick up a copy of the latest Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available from leading newsagencies, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.

Whitsunday Brahmans Rugby League

The 2011 Whitsunday Brahmans Rugby League campaign got off to a promising start on Saturday when the local team took on Mackay Magpies in their one and only pre season trial. Looking to use the game as a key selection tool, the coaching staff now has some tough decisions to make over the next two weeks in deciding the makeup of the A grade team for their first completion game against the Sarina Crocodiles.

With a revised game format of three thirty minute periods being played, each player had an opportunity to show their worth and push for selection.

To read more on this and other Whitsunday sports events see this week's Whitsunday Coast Guardian, available from leading newsagencies, Coles (Cannonvale) and the Chapman Street office in Proserpine.