Yikes!
Bonnie Christian and Nicolas Perpitch for the ABC:
West Australian surfers from Margaret River to Gnaraloo are preparing for massive waves ahead of what is being billed "the swell of the decade".
Quoting Paul Vivers from BOM:
"Out at the Abrolhos Islands you'll be expecting swells of five metres on average, so you know there could be possible 30-foot waves out there occasionally as a result of this"
Surf’s up: (Back) Dave Williams, City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Ian Carpenter, Bruce Montgomery, Brian Hood, Ben Mardon, (Front) Sam Salmond, Danny Williams and Rory Nelson.
Cowabunga! The Geraldton Festival of Surfing is about to make waves in the Midwest as the event hits the City for the very first time.
As part of an exciting partnership between the City of Greater and Surfing Western Australia, the Midwest will be put in the spotlight as an attractive surfing destination as five premier surfing events hit our coast.
Spanning from June to September, surfers will enjoy Geraldton’s ideal winter conditions at some of the City’s most iconic surf locations.
City of Greater Geraldton Deputy Mayor, Neil McIlwaine, said the event is set to showcase the best of local surfing talent as well as talent from around the state.
“We’re a hotspot for surfing here and the winter weather makes for perfect conditions,” he said.
“It’s an exciting partnership with Surfing WA and we hope this event is something we can continue into the future to line up with our strategic plans to enhance tourism and events which will have a positive economic overflow into our community.”
There will be a total of five events as part of the festival.
The Festival will kick off on June 20 and 21 with the final HIF Pro Am State Title event which will see 10 state champions crowned for 2015.
The final round of the WA Junior Surfing Series will follow with WA’s brightest young surfers set to tackle the Midwest. The event is set to have a record turnout giving surfers an opportunity to compete against their friends and eventually reach the pinnacle of junior surfing.
The SunSmart School Titles also form part of the junior development pathway, with the first of the qualifying series historically held in Geraldton. Schools will travel from the North West and Midwest districts to compete.
The 39th WA Country Builders Sunshine Surfmasters is the oldest surfing event in the state. Built and developed over the years by the local Geraldton Boardrider Club, the event continually pushes the standard of competition and event delivery each year. It will attract some of the state’s top shortboard riders with its unrivalled history and prestige amongst the surfing community.
The final event of the Festival will be the inaugural Batavia Coast SUP and Race. With the rapidly increasing popularity of Stand Up Paddle Boarding, the event looks to have a range of surfers in both age and ability.
Surfing WA Events Manager, Justin Majeks, praised the Midwest and said it was an incredible time of year for surfing in the region.
“This new partnership will see the amazing waves and beaches around Geraldton utilised by some of the best surfers in WA,” he said.
“With such strong and well established grass roots clubs in the area the festival will continue to push and develop the sport of surfing in the Midwest.”
For more information on the event visit the City’s website at www.cgg.wa.gov.au
The City of Greater Geraldton is helping local clubs and organisations to reach their full potential through the latest “snippets session” workshop on sponsorship.
As attracting sponsorship is one of the most significant challenges for many organisations, local clubs are invited to take part in a free workshop that will provide information on how to best attract sponsorship dollars.
The Club Sponsorship workshop will be held as part of the City’s Our Club Rules! – Club Makeover Program that was introduced in 2013 in partnership with the Department of Sport and Recreation.
City of Greater Geraldton Deputy Mayor, Neil McIlwaine, said this was a great opportunity for many local clubs and organisations to get assistance in an area which they have identified as challenging.
“Attracting sponsorship can be highly competitive and this workshop will focus on the importance of ensuring local clubs and organisations understand what they have to offer and that the needs of the club are in line with the needs of the sponsors,” he said.
“The workshop will ultimately help clubs to attract funding and ensure their ongoing viability by giving them a better understating of how to prepare a sponsorship prospectus to best attract the interest of potential sponsors.”
The workshop will be delivered by Market Creations in the City of Greater Geraldton Function Room on Wednesday, June 17 from 5:15pm to 6:30pm.
RSVPs close on Friday, June 12. For more information contact the City’s Sport and Recreation Club Development Officer, Ryan Thompson on ryant@cgg.wa.gov.au or call 9956 6968.
Gordy Clinch with the medal each team member received for winning the National Indigenous KickStart Championship for the fifth consecutive year in Cairns this year.
Gordy Clinch is a happy man.
He’s been involved in the football KickStart program for six years and has watched WA win the National Indigenous KickStart Championship five years in a row, this year at Cairns in Queensland.
And this year Gordy got the opportunity to travel with the team as assistant team manager as recognition from the WA Football Commission for his dedication to the program.
Gordy is footy team manager, co- forward line coach (with Shaye Hayden), and bus driver for Aboriginal boys playing in the Nicky Winmar Carnival and Stephen Michael Cup, a program that forms the basis of selection for the WA KickStart team.
It’s a great program and “I’d like to see more young Indigenous boys put their name down for the next one.”
The program was developed by the AFL to provide a supported, talented player pathway that complements the National U16 Championship exposing Aboriginal players, coaches, doctors, physiotherapists and trainers to an elite AFL program environment.
Each year, every state is represented by a team of 25 Aboriginal players, aged 15 and under who compete in the National KickStart Championship. The team is led by Aboriginal coaches, trainers and support staff.
The WA KickStart Squad, including coaches, is selected from the carnival based on leadership qualities, school attendance, community involvement and playing and coaching ability.
Gordy said over the six years he has been involved he’s seen some deadly young Indigenous footballers come through the program.
“It’s a great program and I’d like to see more young Indigenous boys put their name down for the next one,” he said.
“I’d like to thank some people that got me involved in this program; Adrian Bartlett has been a great role model, also Merrilyn Green for giving me support and to my mum and dad.”
WAFC Community Engagement Manager Paul Mugambwa said this year was the first time that the WA Football Commission had taken an assistant team manager outside of its staff at the commission.
“Given the great commitment and passion you have demonstrated over the years with involvement in the Nicky Winmar Carnival and the Stephen Michael Cup, we wanted to reward you for the efforts and be part of this special trip,” he told Gordy.
Other coaches included: Head Coach, Shaye Hayden; Backline Coach, Andrew Beck; Centreline Coach, Jermaine Davis; Forward line Coaches, Gordon Clinch/Shaye Hayden; Team Manager, Chris Brown; and Trainers, East Perth Football Club.
Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney is enthusiastic over the Government’s Sport for All program.
“The good news is the Sport for All program – which includes funding for Kidsport as well as Nature Play, ClubTalk and the Community Volunteer Project has been funded to the tune of $10 million over the next two years,” Mr Blayney said.
“Geraldton kids have greatly benefitted from the Kidsport program since its introduction by the Barnett Government.
“The City of Greater Geraldton has received $178,132.75 in Sportskids funding for kids at 73 sporting clubs with 673 boys and 691 girls assisted in their sports participation, this is a successful project” said Mr Blayney.
“The Sport for All program shows the government’s ongoing commitment for active pursuits is as strong as ever. I hope the community takes advantage of this program and gets involved,” Ian Blayney said.
Geraldton Police say that a Geraldton resident reported damage to his vehicle as a result of contact by a wayward skydiver yesterday afternoon.
Inquiries revealed that a male skydiver had veered off course during a planned jump in the Point Moore area, and collided with two nearby parked vehicles.
He sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to Geraldton Regional Hospital where he received treatment.
Martin Clarke, who started his croquet career at Geraldton, is returning to the Geraldton Croquet Club to play a demonstration match, coach local players and join in club games. Anyone is welcome to come along on Saturday morning around 11 am to watch a demonstration match, and the game will be explained to those who have not had the opportunity to learn about it before.
Martin has won events in Geraldton and represented WA three times whilst residing here in the early – mid 90’s. Since then, he has represented WA many more times, captained Australia, and played in several World Championships and competitions in locations all around the world, including most recently in the Golf Croquet World Championships held in New Zealand earlier this year.
In Golf Croquet, Martin is currently ranked no 1 in the state, No 4 nationally and No. 62 in the world.
If you are interested, come along to see what this most flexible sport is all about, or contact coaches on 99383619 for further information.
The club is located in the South West corner of Maitland Park, entry is from Maitland Street.
Members of the Geraldton Croquet Club competed for the Ethel Gratte Perpetual Trophy on Saturday 26 April. It was won by Sandra Toomey.
Runners Up were Paul Dodson, (one hoop behind) Jeanette Featherby and Jenny Morris. The trophy is a golf croquet doubles handicap event and was keenly contested. The event was very ably managed by Club Captain Ann Bunter; the trophy was donated by Stan Gratte.
If you have been looking for a sport that is not too hard on the body and a challenge for the mind, think about coming to the Geraldton Croquet Club “come and try” day, a free introduction to croquet on 24th May 2015.
More information at http://www.croquet.myclub.org.au/38.htm
Gian De Poloni for the ABC:
A British man who suffers multiple epileptic seizures every week is hoping to break the world record for rowing across the Indian Ocean from Western Australia to Mauritius.
Ashley Wilson, 37, will leave Geraldton for Port Louis next month on a six-metre long boat with fellow rower James Ketchell.
And they're off and racing in the long course, starting duties done in style by gold sponsor Ian Blayney.
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
Hard to see how anybody is going to top this trio for the best dressed prize! Special is the word...
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
How happy is this man with a microphone in his hand? And he's doing a great job too!! (but don't tell him that!)
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
Short course competitors are well into their event now too - half the distance but just as competitive - look at that swim start!
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
Great to have a dedicated team from the Geraldton City Band on site today keeping the crowds happy with tasty bacon & egg sandwiches and sausage sizzle.
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
One of the drinks station teams from Bendigo Bank Geraldton Community Bank Branch gets ready to serve up water to our runners. Thanks team!
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
Can't get much closer than this in the women's race! Kate Bevilaqua and Renee Baker are neck and neck as they turn for the final 5km run.
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
These guys have been great entertainment, even in the team changeover box. And they've just crossed the line first in men's team comp. Special indeed!
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
There's a great crowd at the finish line to clap everyone home. and our volunteer marshals in their glowing hi-vis vests are still hard at work. Plenty more finishers to come, but everyone is on the run now.
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
And this is what today is all about. This man is such an inspiration. Beardy crossed the finish line to great claps and...
Posted by Endure Batavia Triathlon on Saturday, April 18, 2015
Revolutions Geraldton are hosting a Giant Demo Day this Saturday 28th of March that you don’t want to miss out on! Come and join Paul and the Giant Team where you will get the chance to demo their Mountain Bikes out on the Chapman River Extension.
Some of the Giant Demo bikes available will be:
Most of their bikes are available in all sizes, including XS and XL.
There will be a Drooling Session in the morning at the store from 9:00am – 12:00pm, where all of their models will be on display. Their store is located at 2c Jensen Street, Geraldton (Next to Total Uniforms).
In the afternoon, head down to the Chapman River Extension where the action begins! There will be a wide range of Mountain Bikes to choose from where you will get the opportunity to try out their Demos. All you need to do is bring your own helmet and pedals (if not using Shimano). Stay back to enjoy a sausage sizzle and drinks for just a gold coin donation to Ian Beard.
Click here to view the event on Facebook
When: Saturday 28th of March, 2015.
Where: Chapman River Extension (Corner of Sunnybanks Drive & Cedar Street, Strathalbyn).
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00pm (Drooling Session will be from 9:00am – 12:00pm at their store).
*Bookings are recommended.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity. Come down to the Chapman River Extension this Saturday and have a blast with their Giant Mountain Bikes!
For more information, phone Paul from Revolutions Geraldton on (08) 9964 1399.
Gero men presentation captain Daniel Prout, coach Ray Pead and Bendigo Bank Bunbury manager Sherrie Morgan.
Geraldton men retained their title and Geraldton women regained theirs at the Bendigo Bank State Country Water Polo Championships at the South Wests Sports Centre during the weekend.
Both teams romped home in the grand finals after mixed success during the round-robin phase with the men topping their pool and the women coming from second spot.
The men won 17-9 after beating Bunbury 5-4 on Saturday, while the women triumphed 18-8 — a far different scoreline from the previous day’s 6-5 losstoBunbury in the round robin.
Zacc Cross (22) was named the grand-final most valuable player for his whirlwind style of play and was ably backed by younger brother Joel Cross, star goalkeeper Mick Mulligan and the experienced Brendan Hagen.
Zacc Cross, Mulligan and veteran Mick Rock were named to the all-star team.
The quarter scores read 3-3, 6-5 and 12-8 with Geraldton pulling away with superior fitness and speed around the pool.
Gero women presentation captain Emma Hancox, Bendigo Bank Bunbury manager Sherrie Morgan, coach Ray Pead.
Geraldton senior women’s international Eliesha Browne stepped up in the grand final and won the trophy for best in pool, creating havoc with her steals and pinpoint passing.
Veteran Juli Coffin was unstoppable in the final with four goals, the same number scored by captain Emma Hancox.
The teams were locked at 3-3 by the quarter break, 8-6 at halftime and 13-7 after three periods.
Both Bunbury teams suffered from fatigue in the finals, which were played to full international timelines, effectively twice the length of the round matches.
After the round robin, Geraldton men and Bunbury women were unbeaten and the Bunburymen finished equal on points with Karratha, but advanced to the final by defeating the northerners 8-2 on Friday night.
Geraldton is heavily represented in State squads for the Easter Australian Country Championships in Karratha.
Awards:
Men’s Grand Final MVP Zac Cross
Women’s Grand Final MVP Aliesha Browne
Men: Tournament MVP, Tiago Magalhaes (Busselton); grand-final MVP, Zac Cross (Geraldton); highest goal-scorer, Justin Angove (Karratha); all-star team, Mick Mulligan, Mick Rock, Zac Cross (Geraldton), Tiago Magalhaes (Busselton), Brad Horsman (Port Hedland), Rhys Knight (Karratha). Jarrod English (Bunbury).
Women: Tournament MVP, Kylie English (Bunbury); grand-final MVP, Eliesha Browne (Geraldton); highest goal-scorer, Alice Rotheram (Bunbury); all-star team, Timara Simpson (Port Hedland), Kylie English, Chelsea Barrett (Bunbury), Deb Mercer (Peel), Anoushka Angove (Karratha), Eliesha Browne (Geraldton), Emma Morelli (Busselton).
State teams:
Men: First team: Richard Gregory, Nigel Kroonstuiver, Rhys Knight, Justin Angove(Karratha); Gerry Morelli (Busselton); Zacc Cross, Noel Morrison, Michael Rock, Corey Smith (Geraldton); Lee Stiles, Jarrod English (Bunbury); Peter Petrov, Tim Bailey (Peel). Coach: David O’Connor (Bunbury). Manager: Craig Burrows (Bunbury). Second team: Jack Deschamp, Alix English (Bunbury); Louis Bray, Tiago Magelhaes (Busselton); Kal Smith, Kal Ridge, Tyson McEwan, Joel Cross, Liam Follington (Geraldton); Brad Pawlenko, Brad Horsman, Nathan Groch (Port Hedland); Mason Watts (Karratha). Coach: Peter Petrov (Peel). Manager: Craig Burrows (Bunbury).
Women’s squad:AnouskaAngove, Kate Kalajzich, Alexandra Dobbin, Sandra Morris, Paulette Sullivan(Karratha);ChelseyBarrett, EboneyFranklyn, Kylie English, Nicole Hearn, Louise Johnson, TashO’Neill, Alice Rotheram, Chelsea Rotheram (Bunbury); Gabby Abrams, Coraleigh Abrams, Abbey Benham, Eliesha Browne, JuliCoffin, Sophie Coffin, Emma Hancox, CobyRowcroft, TiahniRowcroft, Zoe Rowcroft, Alisha Gilbert, Mia Gleghorn (Geraldton); Elizabeth Macey (Peel); Kimberley Cooper, Timara Simpson (Port Hedland). Coaches: Gerry Morelli (Busselton), Gary Vincent (Karratha). Manager: Caroline Rowcroft (Geraldton).
Blue Birds from l. Robyn McDonald, Annette Dalton, Jeanette Featherby and Captain Rhonda Reynolds. Photograph by Maureen Nanson
Geraldton Croquet Club Summer Pennants for 2015 ran for 6 weeks commencing 21st January and was completed on 25th February. The club decided to trial evening pennants this year, to avoid the hot days expected in January/February and to give members who work during the day an opportunity to compete. The plan seems to have been successful with four full teams fielding and several reserves available. The competition winners were Blue Birds, Runners-up were Red Faces while Glitter Girls and Black is Black placed third and fourth respectively. The competition was organised and supervised by Kay Chynoweth and enjoyed by all involved.
Reserves: Jenny Morris, Lizzie Jackaman & Coralie Brockman
Josh Simpson has come a long way from playing football barefoot in the park.
Having represented the Fremantle Dockers on the big stage, the 21-year-old has made his way to Mullewa and is motivating children at the Mullewa Youth Centre.
“My goal here in Mullewa is to inspire the kids and give them a sense of direction,” Josh said.
“Most of all I want to give them hope.”
The Mullewa Youth Centre, which is owned and managed by the City of Greater Geraldton with funding support from the Department of Child Protection, is visited by up to 50 local children a week from the ages of eight to 18.
The Centre hosts a number of youth engagement activities and is open to Mullewa Youth throughout the week as a safe place to enjoy technology, games and different sports.
Jesse Steele was appointed as Co-ordinator on the Youth Centre in late 2014 and has been implementing some positive changes to the Centre and is hoping for some more big additions in the near future.
“I really want to put some energy into the Centre and we’ve started with some renovations to the building,” he said.
“Ultimately we are here to try and provide the kids with some structure and mentoring.
“Sport is such a big focus here in Mullewa so Josh is a great role model for the kids here at the Centre.”
Josh grew up in Yalgoo and didn’t play his first real game of Australian Rules football until he was 13. He went on to represent Western Australia and South Australia before being drafted to the Dockers and played two games with the side last season.
He has now moved to Mullewa with his wife and two children, and is the head coach of the Mullewa League side in the Great Northern Football League.
Josh will spend the next year in Mullewa and hopes to get picked up by another AFL Club in the future.
14 year old Geraldton local Declan Knowles competed in the Australian 250cc U16 solo title on Saturday night in Ipswich Queensland.
He put in an awesome effort and made it into the semi final with 12 points after 5 heats.
He then came 2nd in the Semi Final which brings him in at 5th in the country.
A great effort for a 14year old.
He says he is determined to be in the top 3 at next years Aussie tittle.
OUCH!
Heads up, the video is pretty intense
Cody sent this footage from the Tarcoola Beach skatepark in to Everything Geraldton, and recounted being there when another young person injured themselves a few days ago.
“I would just like to say to Everything Geraldton Luke was skating and he asked my brother let him have a shot back flipping, and he did it the first time and just made it, then he tried again and then he hit his head on the copping then i ran over to him and asked if he was ok, then i took his shirt off and held it on the head where he split his head open and I pressured it then asked him where is your phone he said in his car, but my brother had already gone over to the playground and got two ladies to come over and call an ambulance.
Just something to say everyone to use a helmet."
We've spoken to the girlfriend of the young man who says he is still pretty sore but he's doing ok.
A FEATURE race win is not that far away for Callum Williamson in the AHG Sprintcar Series given his form in recent meetings.
The young gun from Geraldton will head into the 11th Annual Sprintcar Muster at the Perth Motorplex this Saturday night with form on his side after collecting trophies at both events last weekend.
On Friday night at the Boxing Day Bonanza at the Perth Motorplex Williamson finished third behind Ryan Farrell and David Priolo.
And then on Saturday night he was second to Jason Kendrick (with Kye Scroop third) after starting from P8.
“We had the car speed and the setup,” Williamson said immediately after the Bunbury result.
He thanked his whole team, his parents and sponsors who put in “110 per cent”.
“This is really rewarding for us and I can’t thank them enough.”
Williamson said they had always been near the mark but now it was all coming together as a team and he is qualifying a lot better.
Only two seasons ago he was third to Cameron Gessner and Mark Wells in the overall points in the AHG Sprintcar Series.
He is currently sixth in the points and he is yet to play his Joker card where he will double his points for that round.
Drivers have until the January 24 round to play their Joker card at the drivers’ meeting at the start of the show.
GERALDTON CROQUET CLUB : INTRODUCTION TO CROQUET COURSES 20-14-15
Special Offer:
DATES & TIMES
DEC 2014:- 9am – 10.30am : Sun 28th, Mon 29th , Tues 30th ,Wed 31st.
JAN 2015:- 6pm – 7.30pm : Thur 1st , Fri 2nd , Thur 8th , Fri 9th.
If these times are not suitable, let us know and some alternative times can be arranged.
Contact coaches to book in – Col or Kay colchyn@hotmail.com or ph 9938 3619
Check out the Geraldton Croquet Club at http://croquet.myclub.org.au
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