SPORT
Friday November 13, 2020
Cairns Local News
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Season Opener PETER MCCULLAGH WITH the finalisation of one football season, another commences offering interested spectators a tremendous evening entertainment and excitement. Bring on the new season of Gridiron, and welcome to Cairns the new kids on the block, the Townsville Chargers. This Saturday night at Vico Oval (Kangarooâs home ground) the Cairns Falcons will match up against the newest team in the Reefbowl VII competition. Gridiron has been described as the âmost sophisticated car crash you will ever witnessâ, beautiful one moment and brutal the next, and total beauty in its chaos.
Cairns Falcons Offensive Coach, Jason P Scott is excited about the coming season. âWeâre feeling really good about getting back into competition, and looking at building on last yearâs successes. We made the Reefbowl last year and with great new and returning players this year, we are looking good. Falcons Quarterback Brendon Kruger is looking strong, with a strong arm and an accurate eye, he will be controlling the game to perfection this weekend. Up front Peter Lyngcoln adds great size and strong defensive skills, a lineman in his third season for the Falcons.
With 40 players on their roster the Falcons are on the lookout for any AFL or rugby players looking to explore a great off season or permanent change. âWe are looking for âskinniesâ at the moment. AFDL tall running and jumping guys,â quipped Jason P Scott. âThe AFL guys have great footwork speed and hand skills.â Spectators are encouraged to come this Saturday. Gates open at 5pm and kick-off at 6pm, Vico Oval Cairns. Full details are available on Cairns Falcons Gridiron Facebook page.
Falconâs Quarterback, Brendon Kruger
Tully Grandstand opens THE Cassowary Coast is further poised to become a destination-of-choice for sporting events following todayâs official opening of the regionâs most significant new infrastructure. Officially named the âTully Grandstand,â the $7.1M facility features an undercover 600-seat stadium built to exceed the National Rugby League standards for a regional facility. The grandstand was officially declared open by Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor, Mark Nolan alongside Division Two Councillor, Teresa Millwood who together cut a ribbon and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the siteâs significant history.
Ari Hoogland and Xavier Barker
be an economic driver, attracting events to our region but also strengthen our community spirit through use of this venue for sporting, hobby and entertainment events including the much loved annual Tully Show. âAdditional to our status as an adventure sport destination thanks to TARGA, Red Bull white water rafting and mountain biking, weâre now poised to take on even more major sporting events thanks to this magnificent facility,â said Mayor Nolan said.
Previously the site was home to the Percy Pease Grandstand which had gallantly served the community since the 1930âs.
Designed as a premium space for indoor events including gala dinners, corporate meetings and workshops, the grandstand features a commercial kitchen with several function and meeting rooms alongside a bar and canteen. It will also act as a much needed Disaster Coordination Centre for the community.
Mayor Mark Nolan said the Tully Grandstand will not only
The heart of this project is Tullyâs community groups, in-
cluding the league and touch football clubs as well as the Show Society, whose passionate dedication and fundraising was critical to realising this dream come true. Tully
Tigers
spokesper-
son Anthony Emmi said the grounds had already been tested in pre-opening matches, giving his tick of approval. âTo say it was awesome would be an understatement,â Mr Emmi said. âThis grandstand will allow us to roll out the red carpet for national and international matches, not to mention make our home players feel a great sense of pride in showing off our town.â Located in the Tully Showgrounds, construction of the grandstand commenced in early September 2019.
