Sport

Quill. It would appear that in my enthusiasm for  everything equine, I'm gathering a collection of Coffeys! There is often mention in my regular race reports of thoroughbred trainer Austy Coffey, and his son, Harry, a successful jockey, both based in Swan Hill, but regularly attending the Donald and District Race Club meetings ... This time my equine adventures led me a little closer to home, with a visit to one of the local Coffey horsemen, Ted, who took me for a tour of Birchip like I’ve never had before.

Cudgewa had Saturday’s grand final against Bullioh sewn up by quarter time in a lopsided affair. Cudgewa underscored its mantle as the 2023 Club of the Year on Saturday when the Blues claimed four premierships from the seven grand finals they contested.

A team of netball players is winning hearts on and off the court as they connect with the community and change mindsets about what people with disabilities can achieve. The Kurrajong Krushers, a team of clients from Kurrajong Narrandera, Leeton, and Griffith, have joined the Narrandera social netball competition, and have been winning fans for the past five weeks.

When a stud’s open day attracts a crowd big enough to rival a rock concert, you know it’s going to be great. The attention to detail at Future Farms’ open day and sale on Saturday was perfect, as you would expect from internationally successful trainers Kate and Doyle Dertell and their children Kody and Jessica.

Yorkes Classic 2023 champions were crowned amidst powerful, clean waves at the iconic Chinaman’s surf break in Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park on Saturday, August 19. This year’s 40th-anniversary celebrations did not disappoint, as light onshore wind combined with a southwesterly groundswell to provide perfect three-foot slabby surf all day long.

The ‘Council Cup Clash’ was held on Saturday 26 August at the Katherine Showgrounds between the Beswick Bears, representing Roper Gulf Regional Council and the Timber Creek Lions, representing Victoria Daly Regional Council in a showdown game of AFL. This initiative aimed to foster collaboration, unity, and sportsmanship within the vibrant communities represented.

The Tyred Turkeys are anything but tired. The group has 12 bike riders who ride regularly and have been mapping bike routes for 20 years. There are six founding members of the group who still ride together including Greg Daley, 68, and Damien Cox, 67.

Birchip lawn bowler Natasha Hogan has been selected in Australia’s deaf bowls team to compete on the international stage ... Natasha is one of 12 players from around Australia who will compete in the ninth iteration of the world event, hosted in Colinton BC, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Housing, health, education, training and employment pathways, infrastructure, economic diversification, and the Q2032 Procurement Strategy will be part of the conversation for the members of the Darling Downs South West Queensland Regional Community Forum who meet at Charleville ...

The Carriage Driving Ashes – a collaboration between the UK and Australia, with identical competitions held over identical courses in NSW and Wales – has been won by Australia, with five wins to Britain’s three. The event was the brainchild of British driver Julia Liles, who said “sometimes you just have to go a bit maverick to see what happens”.

Barkly businesses are preparing for a big afternoon of golf for the annual Tennant Creek Corporate Golf Day. Sponsored by Barkly Regional Council, the NT Chamber of Commerce event will tee off from 11am.

Endurance riding is strictly policed and unlike young racehorses whose career so often begins at age two, horses must be older than four years before they can compete ... The minimum age of horses at the inaugural FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses in Northern Europe was even higher again at eight years.

Australia’s premier discus thrower Matthew Denny has etched his name into the history books, breaking a decade-long national record before settling for an agonising fourth place at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

Naracoorte Hunt and Pony Club took on the big job of hosting Pony Club South Australia’s south-east zone championships. Riders from Beachport, Keith, Kingston, Millicent, Mt Gambier, Naracoorte, Penola and Tintinara took part and competed at different levels of experience in jumping, dressage, novelties and flat riding individually and in teams.

Behind every rider, from the smallest pony club member to the elite competitor at the Olympics, is a person following with a box full of grooming equipment ... the annual FEI Best Groom Award has paid tribute to the heroes behind the scenes ... last year’s winner, Emma Olsson ... works for six-time world driving champion Boyd Exell.

Alyssa Walker. A group of over 50 archers descended upon Dunolly on August 4, preparing to defend the realm for the annual medieval shoot. With no one too old or too young to join the ranks, archers seized their cloaks, bows, and quivers (and in some cases, their armour) and took to the shooting range for the two-day competition.

The Towong Turf Club has been recognised for the success of its annual race meeting with its nomination as the ‘Best Country Racing Event in 2023’. Returning for the first time since 2019, the awards will be presented at a gala event on Saturday. "We are absolutely thrilled to be nominated for the Kelly Sports Country Event of the Year," said Towong president, Al Mackinnon.

Fitness fans are in for a treat when the Redback MTB Stage Race and Run Larapinta Stage Race return to Central Australia this month. The mountain biking and running events will test the fitness and mettle of even the toughest competitors as they race against the stunning backdrop of the MacDonnell Ranges.

When the 27th Historic Leyburn Sprints hits the streets this weekend, it will be thanks to the efforts of local residents to keep their historic little town on the map. On that map, the town comprises around 350 residents, one post office, two churches, a school, pub, police station, general store and a handful of houses. Except during the Sprints this weekend - August 19 and 20 - when up to 15,000 historic and classic motorsport fans ...

The REA Wagga Wagga Horse Trials held their biggest event to date in Narrandera last weekend. The competition boasted 268 starters on the day from all over Australia including Albany (WA), Mornington Peninsula (Vic), the Central Coast, Sydney and locals from throughout the region.

Teams from 21 countries and 59 pilots will compete in the FAI F3A World Champions at the Warwick Aerodrome. The best in the world, with some right here in Queensland, will show their skills in this precision aerobatic sport performing a set of manoeuvres in front of the judges and the spectators.

Peter Argent. One-time Central Yorke Cougars junior Luke Ivens is spreading awareness of the long-term effects of concussion. Ivens, who played 194 games for North Adelaide in the SANFL between 2000 and 2013, is now an ambassador for the Concussion Legacy Foundation Australia.