The chance to hear firsthand the story of Jeff Horn World Champion boxer and perhaps even the possibility of meeting him in person was an opportunity too good to pass up on Friday.
When I read that Horn was the guest speaker at the SDRC Mayoral function in Warwick on Friday I worked the phones pretty hard to get myself a lift to Warwick as I am not allowed to drive for a few weeks yet. That in itself was not as easy as I anticipated, and I was surprised that there were not a more sporting tragic like myself keen to attend.
You certainly missed a great opportunity if you weren’t there and hats off to the organisers at the SDRC for the foresight in bringing such a relevant motivational speaker and sporting champion to the district.
Horn’s story has been well covered, but there were special insights he gave during the course of the luncheon which you miss in TV interviews or press reports.
The passion he has for his chosen sport and a self belief that has taken him to the dizzy heights of world champion are enough to inspire anyone in business or in life that if you want something badly enough and work hard enough anything is possible.
Success doesn’t come without hard work – Horn does 24 rounds per session and that is three to four hours every day.
It was particularly impressive to see how much time Horn had for the large number of school kids that came along to listen to him. He answered questions, posed for untold number of pictures and signed autograph after autograph with a graciousness you don’t necessarily associate with a boxer.
A former Phys Ed teacher Horn very tongue in cheek said he rated preparing to face a classroom of kids a tougher assignment than getting ready to take on Manny Pacquiao.
His simple message for the kids was “Aim high“.
I was fortunate enough to meet the man himself after the event, and he is equally as impressive one on one as he is in the ring. It was a real privilege.
– Casey
RAIN CAUSES HAVOC AND HEARTBREAK
Rain caused havoc across the Southern Downs last weekend, with most sporting events cancelled.
After months of hard work it was heartbreak for the Stanthorpe Jockey Club on Saturday when rain ruined what promised to be the most successful Stanthorpe Cup meeting in recent memory.
A huge crowd had book seating in the marquee and over 250 lunches ordered. A good day’s racing was assured with competitive fields accepting for the meeting. The committee watched the weather forecasts anxiously early last week even ordering additional marquees to ensure the comfort of patrons and the big ring of bookmakers.
A perfect day on Friday topped off the condition of the track and everything was pointing towards a bumper day.
What a difference 24 hours can make.
The rain rolled in during the early hours of Saturday morning and for patrons the day went from Fashions on the Field to fielding the most appropriate outfit even if that included gum boots and of course the obligatory brolly.
Stewards inspected the track at 10am as showers persisted. The track was downgraded in racing parlance from a slow seven to a heavy eight but Stewards were confident the track surface was safe.
As the rain persisted, stewards and a delegation of riders made several inspections of the track with sections of the track from the 800m to the home turn cause for concern among the jockeys. Stewards still however rated the track to be a safe racing surface despite the continuing rain.
After another inspection of the track, jockeys declared they were not satisfied the surface was safe and elected not to ride. Stewards therefore abandoned the meeting.
With owners and trainers travelling long distances to the meeting it was a devastating decision; many arriving at the track in time to unload and reload their horses and head home.
Club President Chips Brunckhorst said that despite the disappointment the welfare of the jockeys was paramount. “No one wants to see a jockey or horse get injured in a fall.“
Brunckhorst was immediately on the phone to the head of Queensland Country Racing in a bid to secure another race date for the running of the Cup. That possibility will be investigated over coming days.
Although it was a lot more like an early winter’s afternoon, rather than an early summer there was a real party atmosphere on the course. Ironically, the rain cleared less than an hour later and many of the patrons stayed on enjoying a punt on the Caulfield Cup and a full complement of southern hospitality. While the day was not as successful as the club had hoped, the committee are grateful for the support of the crowd.
CARRYING THE BATON
Three well known Granite Belt identities have been chosen to carry the Commonwealth Games Baton – rewarded for their services to the community and to sport in the district. Steve McEvoy, Angie Sims and Michael Hayes. Granite Belt residents will not get to see the baton in their town with the route taking it through Warwick on its journey to Brisbane. That doesn’t matter to this trio who will be proudly carrying the baton for the whole of the community they have all served so well.
The Stanthorpe contingent joins a group of Warwick-based residents who have also gained selection.
Well done.
ANOTHER GLASS CEILING GONE
Women’s sport and the participation of women in all levels of sport are growing at an unprecedented rate. This Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival yet another glass ceiling for women has been broken with the appointment by Victorian Racing of a female race-day judge. Natasha Radford takes on one of the most important jobs on the course – it will be Natasha declaring the winners.
You will find women in all facets of racing these days. It has become a flagship sport when it comes to the inclusiveness of women, but a female in the judges box for the Melbourne Carnival is a first.
Radford has plenty of racing experience working for the late Bart Cummings and Graeme Rogerson. She also did a stint as an equine pool supervisor and has worked hard to secure her dream job in the industry.
She says the necessary qualities to be a successful race day judge are a fantastic memory, a sharp mind and a good eye to capture a tight finish by sight.
Similar to a race caller, a judge must learn the runners’ names and colours in each race and in much the same way as a caller they record by sight to paper the field as it crosses the line.
So if in a couple of weeks you are looking for the last place getter in the Melbourne Cup to finalise your sweep payouts or holding your breath to see what has won in a photo finish you will be relying on the expertise of the eagle-eyed Ms Radford.
TANNY CLASSIC – ROUND THREE
The third round of the Tanny Classic is one of only a handful of sports that was not affected by the recent rain.
On Friday night, 36 bowlers took up the challenge and hit the greens with lots of laughs and plenty of heckling echoing across the Tannymorel greens.
Winners, they say, are grinners and it was Kystal Petersen, Brian Walsh and Ken Armstrong with the biggest grins.
The winning team notched up a 23-5 win over George Malone Wayne Petersen and Al Buse.
Ken, “the Ole Fox“ was good on the night, showing young gun Wayne Peterson a thing or two about bowls.
Filling the runners-up slot was the team of Clayton “the Man“ Frank, Brett Grayson and Mick O’Leary. They had a 20-7 win over Terry Roche, Jason Fritz and Sue Butz.
The game between Annie Roche Eli McKinney and Thommo and Jessie Wallace Lyn Coleman and Myrtle finished in a 10-all draw.
In other results, Damon Goodwin Quinton Coleman and Mavis Lawardon defeated Jake Brookman Ben Islin and Julie Buse 12-6.
Taylor Hoffman and team-mates Ash Coleman and Burt had an 11-9 win over Nathan Brown Lloyd Johnson and Aaron McKinney.
Rob Price, Gene Lambert and Wayne Frank won their game against Warren Hoffman, Jim Lamb and Matt Shepherd 10-7.
Three rounds into the This Tanny Classic, it is Taylor Hoffman leading with 12 points. Circling are Lyn Coleman Brett Grayson on 11 points. Not far afield Aaron McKinney and Ken Armstrong are sitting on 10 points, and still in the hunt with nine points are Mavis Lawardon, Julie Buse and Krystal Petersen.
Great to see young gun Taylor Hoffman leading the field.
HEALTHY SCORES
Inglewood Sporting Shooters held a centrefire and lever action day on Sunday, and several targets were shot. Heading the scores was Tom Donald with Stephanie and Ray Dudgeon finishing second and third respectively.
An impromptu standard 25m Pistol competition was also held. Successful in this event was Iain Bowen who outscored Tom Donald and Peter Solomon. Rochelle Privera deserves an honourable mention for her efforts in almost beating Tom Donald with his own gun – a little more practice and she Privera might just have his measure.
This weekend Rimfire Benchrest and Service Pistol will kick noon on Saturday and continuing at 10am on Sunday.
BURNS BACK
Travis Burns has experienced the highs and lows of playing rugby league at the elite level. Burns a true NRL journey man has never forgotten his home town of Texas even coming home to run the water and support the Texas Terriers in local night game some years ago. His NRL career saw him play for the Sea Eagles, Cowboys and Penrith before a stint in the British Super league.
Burns played last season for the Wynnum Manly Sea Gulls in the Q Cup but in 2018 will be back at the Wattles Club as player coach of the A Grade side. Although coach of the side, Burns will play outside five eighth Matt Duggan who will retain the captaincy.
It is where he played A Grade 16 years ago and began the journey which has taken him across the world doing what he loves, playing rugby league.
There is one thing missing from Burns’ CV and that is a senior premiership – something he hopes to rectify with his return to Wattles. The only premiership to come his way was a junior playing for Texas.
It is a great boost to local rugby league to have a player of Burns calibre return to his roots and to continue playing and giving something back to the sport. Once it was a path well-trodden by successful players, and unfortunately it is something we do not see enough of in this era.
Recently appointed president of Wattles, Glyn Rees said the club’s coaching positions were finalised last weekend, and is thrilled with the appointment of Burns. 2017 A grade coach Gary Lawrence did not seek reappointment. Filling the other coaching roles at the club Shaun Henry under- 18s while Garth Lonergan and Michael Crank continue as player coaches in reserve grade.
ENGEL BOWLS A WRONG ’N AT CRICKET
Respected English journalist and author of cricket’s bible Wisden, Matthew Engel recently shone a light on the poor state of the game of cricket.
He has real fears for the future of the game. Engel says what many cricket lovers in Australia and around the world have been lamenting over in past years. “Everything worthwhile about it (cricket) is being destroyed: its culture that the umpire’s decision is final; the delicate balance between bat and ball as the game degenerates into a six-hitting contest; and that even more delicate balance between individual and team.“
Engel looked at the state of the game in different countries, highlighting the corruption problems at the top in Asia. Although administrators, politicians, businessmen and bookmakers seem to be doing their best to destroy the game, kids across the sub-continent are still playing the game in streets and alleys.
In Britain, he says it is a bottom up problem with village cricket disintegrating in much the same way as we see country cricket across Australia struggling.
He takes aim at the ICC which he says is more interested in the accumulation of money; its own enhancement and the supposed expansion of the game than the problems of the game. Also in his sights are those that schedule the games and the involvement of Sky broadcasting in the UK.
While much of his article relates directly to cricket in the UK, there are many similarities here in Australia and elsewhere.
Engel talks of the Test Matches that still draw crowds, highlighting Tests at Lords, The Oval, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and the Gabba. – It doesn’t matter if you are a member at Lords, in a corporate box at the SCG or one of the Bananas in Pyjamas or the Santas in Bay 13 at the MCG, these games have predictability and tradition.
It is a time for friends to catch up, watch the games – share a pint if you are in the UK. If you’re in Australia, it’s probably a beer and a pie.
It seems that across the world cricket administrators and often players greedy for that next big T20 have forgotten much of what the game is about and like so many other sports the game at grassroots levels .
While he has genuine concerns for the future of the game, Embley says it is not beyond salvation but like many, feels the problems facing the game will never be resolved by those currently running the game in Dubai. There are many involved in the game or simply cricket lovers across the world who agree with his insightful observations.
CUP CHAOS AT CAULFIELD
Boom Time shot most punters out of the game in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup and proved a bonanza for bookmakers starting at 50/1. The Cup also saw many Melbourne Cup fancies reassessing their options after less than ordinary performances. My Caulfield Cup fancy Marmelo looked better suited for the Melbourne Cup with an eye-catching run and might be the marmalade on the toast on that special Tuesday in November – trouble is he has firmed to a solid favourite.
A very roughly run Cup saw no less than eight jockeys handed suspension of 10 or 12. It will see several senior riders benched for Cox Plate Day and Derby Day as stewards handed out 10 meeting penalties like jelly beans.
One jockey who had good reason to stay out of trouble was Hugh Bowman who will be looking to rewrite the history books when he jumps into the saddle on Winx in the Cox Plate on Saturday. Even if you are not a racing enthusiast, make sure you turn on the TV and watch this magnificent athlete Winx attempt to claim her third Cox Plate and win no 22 in a row. There are no certainties in life and definitely not in horse racing, but it seems almost inconceivable that she will get beaten. Fingers crossed for her- not that I think that will matter or be needed.
SOUTHERN STARS SHINE
The Southern Stars made a statement last Sunday at Alan Border Oval when they took out the first series of the Women’s Ashes series. They now take a two-point lead in the series.
Playing in front of a full house in a fully televised game, the Australian women and their Pommie counterparts showcased all that is good about the sport and why we should be encouraging more women’s games.
An unbeaten half century from Player of the Match and Australia’s most capped ODI player Alex Blackwell sealed victory for the Southern Stars after an impressive performance in the field.
Australian Captain Rachael Haynes won the toss and elected to bowl on a field that looked unrecognisable from 24 hours earlier after persistent heavy rain flooded the entire outfield.
In a remarkable effort, ground staff worked from 6pm Saturday to 4.30am the next morning to get the ground fit for play and their efforts were not lost on the players or the sold-out crowd.
In a thriller, the girls got home with five balls to spare.
