Sport

ONCE a week during summer, usually a Monday – and come rain, hail or shine – Mildura’s Cath Hall ties a stretch rope to her ankle and jumps into an 8ft circular backyard kids wading pool for a tethered hour-long … Continue reading →

By ALAN ERSKINE HISTORY was made in Mildura basketball circles on Wednesday night when two father and son combinations took to the court – for the same team – for the first time ever. The fathers are two of the … Continue reading →

MILDURA Ski Club will play host to the very best slalom skiers in the country at its Cowra Station complex this weekend, including new Australian record holder Nick Adams. The two-day slalom tournament will also take on an international flavour … Continue reading →

By BEN PISCIONERI ONE of international solo speedway’s greatest riders, and certainly among the most popular, has decided to call it a day. Jason Lyons, who grew up in Irymple and cut his teeth at Mildura’s Olympic Park Speedway, was … Continue reading →

OUYEN teenagers Gus Lynch and Lewis Hahnel are so keen on tennis that they are devoting much of their spare time to making sure the courts and surrounds at Ouyen Lawn Tennis Club are in top shape. It’s mostly volunteer … Continue reading →

WHENEVER the bats, balls and stumps came out for a game of backyard or street cricket in Broken Hill, it was a safe bet that young Makinley Blows wasn’t far away. Growing up in a cricket-mad family, with her brother … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI MILDURA resident Justin Raiti has made tennis history this week, after being appointed head coach of Mildura’s Vida Tennis Program. Considered one of the youngest people ever to be appointed to the role, the 24-year-old said he … Continue reading →

THE Mildura Sidecar Shootout will bring riders from throughout the southern States to contest the annual grudge match for the three -heeled warriors. Again, the Shootout has attracted some of the very best exponents of sidecar racing in Australia, with … Continue reading →

SIXTY-EIGHT of Australia’s premier tenpin bowlers have helped make the inaugural Sunraysia Tenpin Cup a resounding success, with Australian number one, George Frilingos, eventually taking out the $7500 first prize. The first tenpin bowling event of its kind to be … Continue reading →

MILDURA’S junior basketballers have impressed at last weekend’s Australia Day Bendigo Basketball tournament, with two Division One teams returning home as champions. Both the Under 14 girls and the Under 16 boys teams proved too good for their respective competition, … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI LAYNE Tankard is a young man who was born to swim. Considered one of Sunraysia’s star swimmers in his age group, the 16-year-old has recently made a move he hopes will help him take the next step … Continue reading →

By BEN PISCIONERI DEVEN Gates has been one of Sunraysia’s most successful swingers (sidecar passenger -  a term taken from the way the passenger swings off the bike) and is currently ranked fourth in the world. The 39-year-old has been … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI CLOSE to 80 of Sunraysia’s most promising young cricketers have had the chance to learn from two former Australian cricket greats this week, with former Test captain, Graham Yallop, and left-arm spinner, Ray Bright, hosting a special … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI SUNRAYSIA’S BMX riders will be chomping at the bit to get back on their bikes in the coming weeks, after plans were put in motion to treat the Mildura BMX Club’s track to a $6000 upgrade. Thanks … Continue reading →

FUTSAL (indoor soccer) has fast become a world phenomenon, with millions taking part in professional and social leagues across the globe. Brazil and Spain – arguably the world’s soccer capitals – use the sport as an educational tool, helping to … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI NINE of Sunraysia’s top swimmers will test their mettle against the best Victoria has to offer this weekend, when they compete at the Victorian Country Swimming Championships. To be held in Bendigo from tomorrow through to next … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI THE Jack Bildstien Perpetual Cup has been a Merbein Bowling Club tradition for six decades now, with the event, held last weekend, continuing to attract scores of the region’s best lawn bowlers. Considered one of the longest-running … Continue reading →

STATE honour will be at stake this weekend when some of the best water skiers in the nation compete in the fourth South Australia versus Victoria challenge at Cowra Station. Victoria will be well represented with a talent-rich team of … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI GOLFERS from as far away as Broken Hill, the Riverland, Swan Hill, Ouyen, Robinvale and from around Sunraysia will converge on the Riverside Golf Club next weekend, with the  Riverside Summer Golf Open to be held on … Continue reading →

MILDURA’S WHK junior Heat representative players will have the opportunity to increase their basketball knowledge this weekend, with renowned and experienced coach Alan McAughtry (BELOW) to host a clinic. Open to all age group players currently taking part in the … Continue reading →

WITH the cod season well and truly open, now is the time to dust off the big lures, gather the new rods and reels that Santa brought you this Christmas, and head for your favourite spot on the Murray or … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA’S finest young swimmers have been put to the test this week, competing in the Cookes Sunraysia Two-Day Swimming Open. Held at Mildura’s Waves complex this past Tuesday and Wednesday, the tournament saw a large contingent of Victoria and South … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI FOR Coomealla resident Caitlin Hancock, 17, cricket is a sport that runs firmly in her blood. Following in the footsteps of numerous family members who have taken up the sport over the years – including her father … Continue reading →

MILDURA’S Olympic Park Speedway will be a hive of activity mere hours into the New Year, with a full field of both Solos and Sidecars to descend on the track for the Forbes-Wilson Group Solo and Sidecar Masters this Sunday … Continue reading →

THE annual Willowfest Cricket Carnival has returned to Sunraysia with a bang this week, offering plenty of action for players and spectators alike. Played in ideal weather conditions, the carnival has attracted hundreds of cricketers from across the country, with … Continue reading →

MILDURA’S Renshinkan Mixed Martial Art group has enjoyed a successful debut at its new Scott Crescent headquarters, with more than 100 members and an equal number of spectators enjoying the group’s final grading session for 2011 last Saturday. Featuring a … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI FOUR of Sunraysia’s Taekwondo specialists have achieved the ultimate in their sport, qualifying for the 2012 World Taekwondo Championships after being named as part of the All-Australian International Taekwondo team. The group will travel to Estonia in … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA’S Timmis Speedway complex will once again come alive to the sound of thousands of horsepower being unleashed as World Series Sprintcars return to the venue. Mildura will host the third round of the series this weekend, featuring some of … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA’S motorsport champions were out in force last weekend, blitzing big names and titles across the length and breadth of the nation. Motorcycle road racing brothers, Josh, Brodie and Nick Waters led the charge, dominating proceedings at the inaugural Phillip … Continue reading →

SEVERAL of Mildura’s WHK Junior Heat representative basketball teams have spent a successful weekend in Shepparton, taking part in the town’s annual tournament. More than 180 teams from across Victoria took part in the event, including several teams from Melbourne. … Continue reading →

BY VINNIE RODI LAST weekend’s Sunraysia Football Gala Round – which took place at the Old Aerodrome Ovals – has been labelled a tremendous success, with local soccer enthusiasts treated to two days of top-level action. Held as part of … Continue reading →

By BEN PISCIONERI SUNRAYSIA is in the midst of a race driver resurgence. Not since the Kelly brothers has there been such a sweet spot in terms of Mildura drivers making a name for themselves on the national car racing … Continue reading →

A QUALITY field has been put together for tomorrow night’s 2011 Victorian Solo Speedway Championship, with the event to take place at Mildura’s Olympic Park Speedway. Heading the field will be veteran Merbein rider, Mark Lemon, who has twice been … Continue reading →

MEMBERS of Mildura’s Ataru Taekwondo dojo have returned home from last weekend’s ITF Oceania Championships with 16 medals (11 gold, one silver and four bronze), with three locals also earning selection into the Australian squad to travel to next year’s … Continue reading →

THE Sunraysia Academy of Sport’s volleyball squad has returned triumphant from the recent Comfort Inn May Park Horsham Volleyball tournament, with four local teams achieving fantastic results at the competition. Encompassing a women’s reserve team, a junior girls team and … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI SUNRAYSIA’S resident soccer enthusiasts will enjoy a summer taste to their favourite sport, with the first weekend of the new season to include a Victorian Champions League Gala round. Taking place at Mildura’s Old Aerodrome Ovals, the … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA riders did the district proud last weekend taking a swag of titles at the Victorian BMX titles at Shepparton. A massive contingent of 14 Sunraysia riders contested the event, comprising five juniors and nine senior riders, representing the biggest … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI THE next eight months are going  to be hard yakka for 14-year-old Irymple resident, Demi Samaras, as she prepares to undertake the biggest sporting mission of her young career. An enthusiastic and talented Tae Kwon Do participant, … Continue reading →

By BRENDON GLEDHILL A DOMINANT Team Australia outfit has taken out last week’s International Sidecar Challenge, leading from the second heat of the series to take the title from the Mildura, Britain, and New Zealand teams. Held at Mildura’s Olympic … Continue reading →

SOME of the quickest regional drag racers in the country will converge on Sunraysia’s Sunset Strip this weekend for the opening round of the prestigious Tri Series drag racing title. Now in its 14th year, more than 90 competitors are … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI SUNRAYSIA has uncovered its next rising sportsperson, with Tim Chapman, 14, crowned the sub-junior champion at last week’s Field and Game Australia National Carnival. Competing against the best young shotgun (12-gauge) shooters Australia has to offer – … Continue reading →

By BEN PISCIONERI SUNRAYSIA can celebrate yet another national motorsport champion after Curlwaa V8 Superboat racer Dean Finch clinched his second national Unlimited Superboat title recently. Finch and his boat, the Red Cliffs PT Rural and Hardware Loose Cannon, have … Continue reading →

MILDURA’S Olympic Park Speedway will enjoy another ‘first’ next Wednesday, November 16, with the International Sidecar Challenge to be held. The event will take the form of a four team tournament, where teams of four machines per team will represent … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI SUNRAYSIA cricketers beware, the Mildura Settlers Cricket Club’s latest English import – out-and-out fast bowler, Adam Shepherd – is gearing up for a big 2011/12 season. Arriving in Australia, and subsequently Mildura late Saturday morning (just 45 … Continue reading →

Photos and story By BEN PISCIONERI SUNRAYSIA’S reigning Victorian Dirt Track champion Rowan Tegart will be out to defend his crown this weekend when the North West Victorian Motorcycle Club hosts the Junior and Senior Victorian titles tomorrow. Tegart is … Continue reading →

By BRENDON GLEDHILL A TOP field of solo stars will be on the cards at Mildura’s Olympic Park Speedway tomorrow night, marking the official start of the Mildura Speedway season. A great field of sidecars will also explode onto the … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI THREE of Sunraysia’s rising female cricket prospects have taken their next step toward the big time, with Rhiann O’Donnell and Makinley Blows, both 13, selected in the Under 15 Victorian Cricket team, and Teagan Parker, 17, one … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA’S latest crop of basketballers have mere months to prepare for the biggest tournament of their individual careers, with 11 locals earning a place in their respective Country Victoria basketball squads. Selected in age groups ranging from Under 14’s through … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA race car driver Cameron Waters has made Australian Formula Ford history as the youngest driver ever to win the national title. At just 17, he won the championship at the penultimate round last weekend around the tight confines of … Continue reading →

THE sounds of speedway bikes will again emulate from Mildura’s Olympic Park Speedway tomorrow night, heralding the start of a new season of racing. Tomorrow’s event will mark the now traditional free entry Shakedown event, where riders, mechanics, and Mildura … Continue reading →

THE long wait was finally over for seven Sunraysia-based members of the Loddon Mallee Lightning Soccer Club, with the 2011/12 Victorian Champions League recently getting underway. A competition that features several of the region’s more talented soccer players – who … Continue reading →

YOUNGSTERS of all ages have taken their first steps toward embracing the game of soccer, with the Three Colours Soccer Club officially launching Sunraysia’s first Miniroos Football Program. Now in its second week, close to 15 kids have signed up … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA motorcycle road racer Nick Waters will go down in history as one of the youngest riders to finish on the podium in his debut ride in Australia’s elite road racing category. Racing for the GAS Honda team at last … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI SEVERAL of Sunraysia’s school students have been treated to a special cricket clinic this week, with two of the country’s rising cricketing superstars, Glenn Maxwell and Elyse Villani, on hand to teach locals the basics of the … Continue reading →

By ALAN ERSKINE THEY come from an island that is often on the receiving end of cyclones and crushing Tsunamis…the last one less than two years ago. It’s about 1000 kilometres north–east of Raratonga, and closer to Hawaii than New … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA Motorsport Club has two new Australian champions in its midst. Aaron James and Brett Plant are the 2011 Australian Pro Lite Buggy champions after the final round of the series last weekend was called off due to rain. James … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA off-road racers Aaron James and Brett Plant could return to Mildura next week as Australian Off-Road Champions as the series wraps up in Queensland this weekend. In just their second season racing together in the highly competitive Pro Lite … Continue reading →

Story, photo by Wade Aunger LIKE any seven-year-old girl, Mildura’s Teika Collins loves to dance, playing dress ups – and following in the footsteps of big brother Tavis – much to his annoyance most of the time. But on weekends, … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI A LARGE number of people from across Victoria have arrived in Mildura for this weekend’s Mildura Aboriginal Football/Netball Games, with the event expected to attract close to 3000 participants and spectators. Hosted by the Mildura Indigenous Family … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI THE scene at the Mildura Senior College Oval was one to behold, with a large number of players, volunteers and spectators on hand to enjoy all the action from the second annual Mildura All-Abilities Cricket Carnival. Featuring … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA is currently home to one of the rarest horse breeds in the world. Well known Sunraysia horse owner Rob Talent recently welcomed into his stables one of only three standard-bred, buckskin and white skewbald colts in the world. His … Continue reading →

IRYMPLE has capped off a remarkable 2011 Sunraysia Football League season in style, winning its sixth premiership in a tight and entertaining game against Robinvale. Played in front of an enthusiastic and vocal crowd at Henshilwood Oval, Irymple managed to … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI “LOOKS can be deceiving.” It may be an old adage, but it’s one that is very accurate when discussing Mildura’s Shantelle Thompson. Looking every bit the lovely mother of three when the Mildura Weekly caught up with … Continue reading →

By ALAN ERSKINE WHEN Sunraysia teenagers Paige Jardine and Lucy Boseley saddle up their mounts to compete in this year’s National Equestrian Inter-school Championships, it will be a case of the best of Victoria taking on the best of South … Continue reading →

MILDURA’S Lochie O’Brien, 12, has become a national footy sensation over the past few weeks, with the young Collingwood supporter unknowingly becoming one of the faces of the Australian Football League’s ‘This is Greatness’ finals campaign. An advertising campaign that … Continue reading →

TOMORROW’S Sunraysia Football League Grand Final will offer no surprises for local footy fans, with the two sides many tipped to be fighting it out for the 2011 premiership to line up in the final game of the year. In … Continue reading →

THE MIXX FM Western Phantoms volleyball team has capped off its debut season in the State Volleyball League in style, taking out the competition’s Division Two championship. A team that has featured numerous Sunraysia-based players – including co-captain Brad Hassell … Continue reading →

THE most promising young racing driver to come out of Sunraysia since the Kelly brothers has notched up yet another round win as the Australian Formula Ford Championship enters its penultimate round. Cameron Waters was consistently quick at the sixth … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI FOOTBALL Federation Victoria-Sunraysia will wrap up its 2011 season this Sunday, with the Harvey Norman Grand Final Series to take place at the Old Aerodrome Ovals. Coming off the semi-final stage of the series last weekend, which … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA top fuel drag racers Darren Morgan and Phil Lamattina had promising starts to their 2011/2012 campaigns at the opening round of the Australian Top Fuel Championships in Sydney last weekend. Morgan went into the round as defending champion after … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI IT’S been a debut season to remember for the MIXX FM Western Phantoms, with the State Volleyball League team – which includes nine Sunraysia-based players in its squad of close to 20 – so far proving the … Continue reading →

MILITARY pistol shooters from throughout south eastern Australia will compete for State honours in Sunraysia this weekend at the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia Victorian Pistol Titles. Hosted by the SSAA’s Mildura branch, the State Titles have attracted shooters from … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA’s Dave Burford is preparing for his sixth Australasian Safari campaign which will pit him against some of the best desert/rally racers in the world over seven days and almost 4000 gruelling kilometres through the Western Australian outback.[/caption] The affable … Continue reading →

By BEN PISCIONERI V8 Supercar star Craig Lowndes was in Mildura this week finalising preparations for his Australasian Safari defence later this month. Lowndes, who is better known for his exploits on bitumen with three V8 Supercar championships and five … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI THERE is an old adage that what happens on the footy trip, should stay on the footy trip. And while footy was the last thing on the mind of this group of golfers last week, the celebrations … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA’S top fuel drag racing gladiators Darren Morgan and Phil Lamattina will launch into yet another Australian Top Fuel drag racing season this weekend at the opening round in Sydney. Morgan goes into the new series as defending champion following … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI SPORT has the capacity to act as a universal language, bringing people of different races, religions, and cultural backgrounds together. It can also be a way to open individuals up to new experiences, which is the case … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA’S Aaron James and Brett Plant will look to cement their position at the top of the Australian Off Road Championship Pro Lite standings when they compete in the fourth round in South Australia this weekend. James and Plant have … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI MILDURA’S All Abilities Basketball team will realise a dream in the coming weeks, when they compete at this year’s Victorian Special Olympic’s State Winter Games. A dream that has been realised thanks to the financial support of … Continue reading →

By VINNIE RODI EVERY sportsperson in the world boasts favourite moments from their careers, whether it be winning football premierships, claiming gold medals, or simply witnessing feats of individual brilliance. For long-time Mildura resident, and Mildura Football Club great Ken … Continue reading →

THE 2011 Football Federation Victoria-Sunraysia season will enter its final stages this week, with the 2011 Knockout Cup finals to be played across all age groups. One of three pieces of silverware up for grabs throughout the FFV-S season, the … Continue reading →

By BEN PISCIONERI JAMBAROO Park will come alive to the sounds of more than 100 motocross bikes this Sunday as the North West Victorian Motorcycle Club launches its long awaited 2011 motocross season. This weekend’s event has been a long … Continue reading →

FOUR of Sunraysia’s junior representative soccer teams have fallen just short of claiming top honours at the South Australian Junior Soccer Association State Championships, with the event held in Broken Hill last weekend. Out of the four teams entered – … Continue reading →

By BEN PISCIONERI SUNRAYSIA Drag Racing Association is set to embark on the second half of its 2011 season next weekend with several new vehicles set to make their debut at the Sunset Strip. The Association’s Kingsley Kuchel said the … Continue reading →

SUNRAYSIA’S indoor sporting groups are seething over Mildura Rural City Council’s decision to scrap the existing masterplan for the Mildura South sporting complex and start again. The complex is to include two major sporting ovals, one of which will be … Continue reading →