HOCKEY

SHOALHAVEN hockey player Aaron Lloyd will fulfill a long-time ambition of playing for his country.

While Lloyd has been selected in national teams before, he has never actually played for Australia apart from an indoor honour when he was a “young lad”.

But come August he will be living the dream when he flies out to Europe as part of the Australian Masters Overs 40s World Cup team.

The Aussie over 40s will be joined by teams in the over 45s, 55s and 60s at the World Cup.

The Australian team flies to Amsterdam on August 5 for a couple of warm up games before heading to Germany for further matches.

Then on August 13 they head to Canterbury in England for the Masters World Cup. He gained selection in the team after playing for the NSW over 35s at the national championships.

The Aussie team will be put through their paces in a session in Melbourne early next month.

Anyone who would like to back Aaron’s endeavours in the form of sponsorship he would love to hear from them.

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Athletics

Nowra athletes shine at state NOWRA Athletics Club’s junior members have turned in some outstanding performances at the NSW Junior Championships at Sydney Olympic Park.

The meet was a great opportunity for the club’s talented juniors to compete against the state’s best and test themselves with national qualifying times on offer for the upcoming Australian Junior Championships next month.

Sixteen-year-old Arron Speissberger-Parker led the Nowra medal count with a two bronze in the 800m and 1500m. Michaela Quinn was all class in a large and hotly contested 1500m race for a fourth place and qualifying time for nationals.

Harry Scouller competing in the under 20s continued his stellar form with a new personal best in his 800m with a heat time of 1.53.81, and backed up in the 800m final to bring home a bronze.

Samantha Peace, also competing against older athletes, had all her talents on show in the discus event saving her best throw until last with a 35.38 which also gave her a well earned spot at nationals.

Newcomer Lucy Marron continued to shine at state level, placing fourth in the womens under 16 high jump and second for her age.

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Kickboxing

LOCAL kickboxer Leanne Coombes remains undefeated, after a dominating win over Linda Sing from Performance Gym in Darwin, in Newcastle last Saturday.

Linda was also undefeated coming into this fight, and fought well, though she could not counter the supreme fitness, technique, and strength of Leanne who dominated the fight to win by a unanimous judge’s decision.

Leanne’s record now stands at four fights for four wins. She has qualified to fight for a State Muay Thai title on Total Havoc 5, at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, on March 10.

Leanne is already matched for this fight against Mangaia Tofilau, from Kiezen Muay Thai in Melbourne.

There will be two other title fights at Total Havoc 5, local favourite Chad McGillick will be defending his Interstate title against Gary Dowling from Melbourne, and Brad Trainer (current State and East Coast Title holder) will be going for an Australian Muay Thai title against big gun Mark Lucchiari, who is the current WMC Australian champion, from Strike Force gym in Queensland.

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Shooting Clay shoot this weekend

THE Shoalhaven Clay Target Club will be holding its monthly skeet and sporting events this weekend, February 25-26. Skeet gets underway at 1pm on Saturday with 50 targets scheduled.

On Sunday the SCTC will shoot its monthly 100 target sporting round, starting at 9am. All members and visitors are most welcome

. For further information contact Laurie Cook on 0439 480573 or Paul Hamilton on 0412 423520 for further information.