Fingal Beach Surf Life Saving Club’s surf boat guru Eddie Bergsma has reingnited interest in the ladies masters surf boat crew with the aim to compete at the branch championships later in the year.
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Former Fingal rowers Vanessa Thompson and Tanya Squires will start training with new crew members Natalie Vogtmann and Kate Phillips this week.
Bergsma has been appointed official starter for the Newcastle-Central Coast branch’s Streets surf boat series, which will include a massive carnival at Hawks Nest on December 9-10.
The carnival will see 110 boat crews from Newcastle and the Central Coast plus a large contingent from the Mid- and Far-North Coasts of NSW competing.
Nelson Bay Rugby Union Club will have an international flavour in season 2018 with the club appointing South African-born David Sharpe as coach.
The club has recruited several quality players including a prop from the US, a Canadian flanker and a fullback from Thailand.
Currently playing in England, Sharpe brings a wealth of experience to the coaching role: more than 200 games at the elite level starting with the Sharks Academy in Durban followed by stints in the UK with Esher and Wimbledon.
Arriving in Australia, Sharpe had four seasons with the Gropers. Last season he coached the reserve grade team.
The club will start training on December 6. Canadian Deedee Marra, who has worked with the Wallabies, Newcastle Jets and Knights, is working with the Gropers.
She is sure to take the Gropers’ fitness to a new level next season.
Nelson Bay Cricket Club created history this season with two teams elevated to the A-grade competition.
Last Saturday the Makos and the Turtles went head-to-head at Don Waring Oval for bragging rights.
The Makos, after struggling at 5-60, had club stalwart Wayne Banks enter the contest. He made a solid 60 runs to post 167 runs.
Best with the ball were Matt Sharpe (4-39) and Matt Palmer (3-19).
The Turtles only managed 78 with representative bowler Hamish Bartlett capturing 4-27 and Mile Eckersly 3-19.
A rear guard fight back by Ben McCrohan with 21 in quick time failed to stop the Makos’ win.
In C-grade the young guns suffered a narrow loss to the mavericks, however Preston Brealey was impressive for the Bay with a classy 59n.o.
