Social Bowls were played Tuesday February 20 where the winners were Ruth Moore, Elaine Young, Beryl Cornford and Pam Power defeating Desley Olsen, Donna Soper, Sandra Stidston and Irene Wilson.

Isabel Cislowski, Heather Jorgensen and Mary Poli defeated Katharina Stuckler, Joy Comollatti amd Dot Cutting.

Eighteen bowlers enjoyed playing lawn bowls under the stars at Wednesday Night Bowls on February 21.

Coming in first place were Katharina Stuckler, Anthony Bull and Robyn McAllister.

In second place were Carolyn Jones, Rob Jorgensen and Heather Jorgensen.

Men's Championship Fours 8:30am Sunday March 10 - 1. G. Papale, J. Grabbe, S. Caltabiano, L. Stidston vs D. Poli, M. Olsen, ? , M. Milan.  2. H. Horan, J. Hall, W. Coonan, M. Parravicini vs A. Bull, C. Essex, M. Power, R. Soper.

Nominations for championship pairs and triples close March 3.

Wednesday February 21 winners were Bob Young and Col Essex who defeated Vince Beitia and Chris Berkery.

Other results were John Hall, Barry Hewson and Maurie Power defeated John Pirrone, Sandra Darwen and Wayne Coonan.

Mick Olsen, Joe Papale and Lew Stidston defeated Jim Murray, Dino Poli and Ron Soper.

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Contributed by Michael Parravicini

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Wednesday February 20

Ladies results: only four ladies turned up and conditions still not favourable however those who turned up certainly had a good time.

Kaye Garner and Lyn Storrie beat Ann Newton and Vanda Ballao.

Ladies, please have your names in by 1:00pm for 1:30pm start.

Sunday February 25

A grade singles: Gary Pearce defeated Henry Hazel.

And the other A grade singles game went down to the wire with Doug Koehne defeating Jamie Woods.

A Pairs: Vince Beitia and Allan Garioch defeated Joe Ypinazar and Peter Jorgensen.

Social Bowls

Triples game: Norm Storrie, Rob Garner and Peter Henderson defeated Kaye Garner, Bob Jorgensen and Ray Panacassio.

And final game of was Rinks with Neville Dickinson, Helen Collins, Lloyd Shepherd and Doug Robins defeating Glen Woodward, Ken Ferguson, Lyn Storrie and Leo Kenny.

Sunday March 3 Jackpot will be drawn until we get a winner.

Names in by 1.00pm for 1.30pm start.

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Contributed by Lloyd Shepherd

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Caption: Winners of Sunday’s Championship events. Photo supplied

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Burdekin FC will work towards upgrading its women’s changerooms and facilities at International Park after winning a grant from the 2024 Ergon-Energex Community Fund.

The $10,000 grant will enable renovation of the women’s changerooms to provide a safer, more inclusive, and accessible space for players to feel comfortable and confident in their environment and increase participation.

Burdekin FC Senior Secretary Sian Reardon said the women’s facilities currently has two toilets, one of which often malfunctions, a women-only shower that is used as storage and a communal shower that is shared with the men’s facilities and doesn’t have a lock on the door.

The club plans to upgrade all facilities including a third toilet, new shower area and new basin and mirror.

“At the moment, it’s just not a nice place to be in,” Ms Reardon said.

“The facilities are our foundation.

“If we don’t foster a positive, clean environment, it’s not a welcoming environment for those girls to come into.

“If they see that we take pride and responsibility and put that money in to make the facilities clean and welcoming, we get more people through the door.”

Ms Reardon, who also plays for the senior women’s team and coaches junior teams, said the investment proves the growth of the women’s game in the Burdekin.

She said the club currently has enough junior girls for two teams in U9s, U10/11s and U12/13s age groups this year.

“The numbers have grown incredibly this year,” she said.

“We’ve seen more girls interested in coming down to our women’s training as well.

“We’ve got a few 15-year-olds floating around who are really eager and want to get involved, which is awesome.”

The club has also recently purchased new goal posts using a previous grant which are due for installation soon.

“We would not be able to function without grants and community support,” Ms Reardon said.

“Whenever Louise (Nicholas, Grants Officer) sees a grant that could towards the club, the entire club comes together to discuss what’s most important.”

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Caption: Burdekin FC Senior Secretary Sian Reardon is excited to see upgrades to the women’s changerooms after securing a grant. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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18 players arrived to do battle in the barefoot bowls night onWednesday, February 21.

3 games oftriples were played.

Rinks 5,6 and 7were used running east/west.

Rink 5: Gladys,Meryl and Joe were much too strong for Betty, Judy and John winning14 to 5.

Rink 6: Ashley,Tony and Amy had a good win over Lyn, Nev and Ron to the tune of 12points to 3.  

Rink 7: Conner,Margaret and Stephen won on the final end after being all squareafter 11 ends over Wayne, Mark and Torrie 11 to 7.

Trevor's morningtea is weekly on Monday morning, Tuesday Trimmers on Tuesday, Wednesday Kraft group and barefoot bowls at 6pm on Wednesday.

Thursday morning bingo and bowls in the arvo, names in between 12 and 1pm.

There was no bowls on Thursday.

Good bowling.

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Contributed by Stephen Doig

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We weather put a dampener on preseason training for Burdekin FC’s youth teams, with the U13 and U14/15 teams instead taking things indoors for a night of “non- competitive” ten pin bowling.

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Captions: Burdekin FC’s U13 and U14/15 teams spent a night at Burdekin Bowl after preseason training was rained out. Photos supplied: Burdekin FC Inc

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The Burdekin Roosters received a setback last week with the announcement 2024 appointed senior coach Daniel Beazley would be leaving the club.

Beazley told the players at training on Thursday he had received an offer from a family member to join a business on the Gold Coast.

Beazley said he knew his cousin was beginning a new business and he wanted his input but he thought that would not be till towards the end of the year.

“For my cousin the business has gone really well, and I have been offered a partnership in something I have been looking at for a long time,” Beazley said.

The coach said he was sad to be leaving the club as he had enjoyed the people he has been associated with and he felt the club was getting back on the right track.

He said training before Christmas was a little slow, but it had really picked up in the New Year and he believes the players had been enjoying it as much as he had.

The former Blackhawk captain said he thought the club had the players to go all the way this year and with a few more coming in they are going to be hard to beat.

“If I didn't think that I wouldn't have suggested a trial match with Brothers who are always strong,” Beazley said.

He said he would not be leaving for a couple of weeks and would help prepare the boys for the trial with Mackay Magpies in a fortnight and then Brothers.

Roosters President Mick Brombal said he would be sad to see ‘Beaz’ go but people must think of their future, and this appears too good for him to refuse.

“Beaz is a good bloke, and he will help us find a replacement as well as coach the boys for the next couple of weeks,” Brombal said.

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Contributed by Brian Carnes

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Caption: Departing Roosters Coach Daniel Beazley

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The much-anticipated Rugby League carnival, the Annual Bowen Tens, will be played at Denison Park in Bowen on Saturday.

Sponsored mainly by Whitsunday Civil, the day brings much needed funds to the Bowen Seagulls Junior League with various charities also benefitting.

A number of Bowen charities have been the recipients of money from the Bowen Tens.

This year, the main recipient will be Kids Connecting Parents.

Burdekin teams have supported the day since it was first introduced in 2012 with the Charity that year Cancer Research.

The Burdekin Old Boys made themselves a popular team by donating half the prize money they received for winning that year to the charity and it continued on with several other Burdekin teams doing the same thing.

This year, 14 men’s teams and six women’s team will contest the games for the cash and trophies donated by Kincove for the men and Abbot Point for the women.

The Burdekin will again be represented by Runamuck in the women, a group of ladies mainly from the Burdekin Hens led by the Monday sisters whose style of play will suit this format.

They will be joined by Bowen teams Boonti Busters and Bowen Bush Chooks.

Carlton from Mackay will again be playing with Townsville team Norths Devils.

The sixth team is an unknown group called Darlz Warriors but they are expected to be strong.

Three men’s teams will represent the Burdkein: Runamuck, Runamuck 10 and Fiji Time.

Fiji Time are the defending champions and they alone will bring spectators just to see their exciting brand of football.

Matches are played over two ten-minute halves on two fields at Denison Park with a two-minute half time and thirty seconds between games.

Timing is done from a central time piece.

The first games get under way at 8am with the final of the men expected about 8pm, giving some 12 hours of non-stop footy

Food and drink will be sold on the grounds and there are some big raffles taking place all for a $5 entry fee.

The player scoring a try then attempts to convert with a drop kick before the player’s team restarts.

It all makes for speed and excitement.

Teams of no more than 20 players with ten on the field at any one time come from several centres around the north as it is not only a good bonding weekend, it is also very good for pre-season fitness.

A four-person relay is also held between teams with the referees at times having a team and they have been successful in the past.

Bowen is well represented with at least 8 teams while the Moranbah Miners and Carlton Devils play in the Mackay League.

Some Townsville teams have supported the Carnival in the past with this year the Norths Devils women making the trip.

This will be the first time the Cardwell Axemen will try their luck although Herbert River have been there before.

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Contributed by Brian Carnes

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Both night tennis on Monday and pickleball on Tuesday have been fortunate to dodge rain over the recent weeks, with good numbers of players at 7:00pm. At pickleball, everyone has been enjoying the challenge of learning a new game as well as the social aspect. Friday Social tennis starts up in early March.

The upcoming AGM on the March 11 is a great opportunity for everyone to come along to Home Hill Tennis to hear about all the club’s activities in 2023. It is also time to recognise and thank those who have contributed to the club whether it is through grants, sponsors, playing and the very valuable work of club volunteers. Without these, our club would not exist.

The Burdekin hosts two junior tournaments over the next couple of weeks. Ayr has the first event and Opening Day this Saturday March 2 at 8:00am. There will be guest speakers at the opening for the parents and players. Home Hill hosts the Super JDS on March 16-17 where there will be coaching clinics and teams’ events. All visitors are welcome to the clubs on these weekends.

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Contributed by Home Hill Tennis Association

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Caption: Home Hill Tennis Association hosts tennis on Tuesday s from 7:00pm. Photo supplied

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Our North Queensland wet season again prevented any Junior Cricket to be played late last week at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex, and Charters Towers where our Under 17s were meant to play Wests.

Clear skies on Tuesday allowed the Rookies to go ahead though, with Antony Stewart from Queensland Cricket coming down from Townsville to run the session.

Antony was helped out by one of our older junior Thomas Cardillo at the East Ayr School Grounds.

This session included fun drills and games for our youngest cricket stars of the future.

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Back Cover Caption: Queensland Cricket’s Antony Stewart (back left) and junior cricketer Thomas Cardillo (back right) led the junior cricket rookies session last week. Photo supplied

Junior Cricket Recap

The Friday afternoon Challenger’s session was moved to the East Ayr State School Hall due to the weather with modified indoor skills and drills organised by our Co-Ordinator Shaun Goldsworthy.  

The 14 eager children were very appreciative of Shaun’s efforts in getting this going for a second week in a row.

There was catching practice, some bowling drills, then a fun game of indoor cricket to finish up the session.

After a very disrupted start to the second half of the season we have our fingers crossed we can play some cricket in the sunshine on Friday this week.  

Contributed by Scott Heidke

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Caption 1-4: Clear skies on Tuesday allowed the Rookies to go ahead

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Championship Rinks and Championship Singles are now open, names wanted to be drawn February 27.

Ladies Social Bowls played on February 13. Winners were R Soper, D Soper and P Power defeating R Hervey, K Page and D Cutting. Runner up on count back Merle Nixon, Joy Comollatti and S Stidston defeating K Stuckler, H Jorgensen and I Wilson.

Wednesday Feb 14

Winners were Jim Murray, Dino Poli and Henry Hazle who defeated John Hall, Anthony Bull and Ron Soper

Saturday Feb 17

Winners were John Hall, Mick Olsen and Sandra Stidston who defeated Mick Murison, Anthony Bull and Thelma Klopper.

Second place went to Merle Nixon, George Nixon and Henry Hazle who defeated John Pirrone, Chris Pearce and Maurie Power.

Wednesday night Feb 14

It was enjoyable playing lawn bowls in the cool of the evening. The winners on the night were, Lorraine Wolffe and Gary Pearce, and Marlene Lorger, Rob Jorgensen and Sam Caltabiano.

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Contributed by Michael Parravicini

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Thanks to all the members who turned up for Saturday morning’s working bee putting the shade sails back up. Chief in command Richi Maui had everyone working hard and thanks also to Sharon Penny for smoko which was enjoyed by all.

24 members attended social bowls on Monday, February 19 in favourable conditions.

Norm Storrie, Ray Panacassio and Jamie Woods played against Bernice Kugatoff, Leo Kenny, and Len Feeney. In the early stages in that game, it looked all over with Len Feeney letting everyone know how easy this game is only to be given an absolute flogging.

Championship games played on Sunday were both close games and in the single B grade round was Ross McLaughlin playing against Neville Dickinson with Ross the eventual winner.

In the A grade pairs event it was a very close game with father and son combination of Gary and Chris Pearce winning against Kevin Collins and Doug Robins.

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Contributed by Lloyd Shepherd

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Caption: Brandon Bowls Club held a working bee on Saturday to put up shade sails

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Thursday bowls went ahead even though the green was under water at 1pm after a couple of inches of rain in about an hour.  

Surprisingly, the new green drains very quickly so the games could go ahead at around 2:15pm.

RINK 2: Mick/Hugh, Dino and Stephen were to strong defeating Judy, Dave and Wayne 17 to 11 and 8 ends to 4.

RINK 3: Bob, Joe and Trevor pipped Jim, Des and Henry 10 to 9 with 6 ends to each side.

RINK 4: In a pairs game Paul and Mick steamrolled Yogi and John to the tune of 12 to 4 and 8 ends to 4 ends.

Our esteemed president Trevor has been holding a morning tea each Monday at around 10am if anyone is interested.  

Barefoot bowls will be on Wednesday night again after a sausage sizzle.

Bingo is still going strong on Thursday morning.

Kraft group is also going well on Wednesday morning and the Tuesday Trimmers on Tuesday mornings.

Good bowling till next week.

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Contributed by Stephen Doig

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Caption: Thursday’s winning team of Paul and Mick

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Rain fell throughout the district which again disrupted the Junior Cricket season last week. There were still clouds above the Nutrien Ag Solutions Cricket Complex on Sunday when six Home Hill Cricket Association members undertook a coaching course. This was run by QLD Cricket’s Coaching and Talent Specialist Lachlan Ford, and these members are now Level 1 Community Cricket Coaches.  They join the 14 other accredited coaches at the club so all of our Junior players from the smallest Rookies through to our Under 17s are coached by nationally accredited coaches.

Following the Level 1 course Lachlan then ran two “Masterclass Sessions” for these and some of our existing coaches, aimed at upskilling them in the techniques of batting and pace bowling. With the help of some of our Juniors he instructed the attendees on specific technical drills and activities designed to allow the players to score more runs when batting and take more wickets safely without injury when bowling. This course and Masterclass sessions have enabled our club to grow and upskill our coaching ranks and thanks go to QLD Cricket, Lachlan Ford and our Juniors who helped out.  

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Contributed by Scott Heidke

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Caption: Six coaches undertook a coaching clinic and masterclass last weekend. Photos supplied

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The 2024 football season was due to start last Saturday but the very wet weather caused all football activity in the Burdekin to be postponed. The Panthers were due to play JCU Riverway in the 3rd round of the Cup. The match has been re-scheduled for this Saturday night, February 24, at International Park at 7.00pm.

Training at International Park is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.30pm for men and Wednesdays at 6.00pm for women.

The Week 1 pre-season matches for Juniors were unfortunately called off due to the wet weather. Week 1 will now be held this Saturday at East Ayr School (both junior and senior grounds are unavailable). Age groups and times have been posted on Burdekin FC Facebook page and emailed out.  

We are still looking for coaches for some age groups. A big thanks to the Under 7 parents who have put their hands up for this large age group, we have filled all coaches there! We still are looking for 3 x Under 5, 2 x Under 6, 2 x Under 11, 1 x Under 12 and there is a possibility of a second girls 12/13 team so will also need a coach there.

There will be a Working Bee on Sunday February 25 at the junior grounds commencing 8.30am to mark out the fields. Many hands make light work!

The busy weekend continues as, also on Sunday Feb 25, there is a Mini-Roos coaching course at the Junior grounds from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. All 2024 coaches have been advised of this course. Anyone else who is interested please contact the Club for how to register. Let’s hope we kick things off this Saturday!

Burdekin FC needs members and supporters to vote on the Ergon grant for the club to hopefully win. www.ergon.com.au/peopleschoice2024 - Vote for Burdekin FC!

Monday Night Masters was also cancelled but assuming there is not too much more rain, it will be on again next Monday. So, it’s usual time, usual place, 6.30 at International Park. New and old players are all welcome. In fact, it doesn’t really matter if you can’t play. Treat it as an escape.

Read Football Matters with Cyclops every week on the Burdekin FC Facebook page.

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The draw from Rugby League Townsville & Districts (RLTD) has been released showing the Burdekin Roosters will have eight home games during the regular season, which gets under way for the Burdekin teams on Sunday April 7 when they travel to meet the Western Lions in Townsville.

The first home game will be a big one when they host powerhouse Brothers on Saturday April 20 at Rugby Park.

Other home games will be Sunday April 28 against Souths in A grade and Bowen, Saturday May 25 against Centrals, Saturday June 1 against Norths, Saturday June 15 against Lions, Saturday June 22 against Souths, Saturday July 20 against Ch Towers and Saturday Aug 17 against Herbert River.

It is shown that the Roosters will play Centrals, Brothers, Norths, Charters Towers and Herbert River twice during the season on a home and away basis.

The club will play both Western Lions and Souths three times each with twice away to the Lions and twice at home to Souths.

The reserves and under 20 are also to play Bowen in home and away games.

Grades to be played this season are A, Reserve, Under 20 and Ladies.

At this stage the club is struggling to form the under 20 team and may reluctantly have to withdraw from that competition.

All coaches are at present readying their squads to play trials with Mackay Magpies at Rugby Park on Saturday March 9.

It is expected that three grades will be played against the Mackay Club: A, Reserve and Under 20.

Magpies will not be bringing a ladies team but the club is hoping to arrange a match with a visiting Charters Towers ladies squad.

A grade coach Daniel Beazley will take a squad to Airlie Beach on Saturday March 16 to play a trial with Townsville Brothers.

Several players both male and female will take part in the Bowen Tens Carnival on Saturday March 2, won last year by a team called Fiji Time made up mainly of the Roosters Fijian players.

The club is also planning an Official Opening of the season at the Ayr Anzac Club on Friday March 22.

Work is expected to commence shortly on the million-dollar improvements to Rugby Park but they will pose no interruption to playing or training days.

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Contributed by Brian Carnes

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Caption: Burdekin Roosters have been training ahead of their season opener on Sunday, April 7. Photo supplied

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