Sport Supported by Dino’s IGA Mullumbimby Local wins European BJJ gold medal Local AFL teams join forces to Raz Harel
Thalison Soares with a hard-earned gold medal form the European BJJ Championships last month. Photo supplied
Byron Bay local, Thalison Soares, won a gold medal at the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu European Championship 2024 held in Paris, France, earlier this year. The prestigious European Championship is one of four major events held annually by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). The best women and men of Jiu Jitsu attend this event annually, to fight for the European crown. At just 24 years of age, the head instructor of The Academy Byron Bay claimed his seventh European title with his most recent win. Fighting in the black belt, bantamweight division Thalison defeated Jonas Andrade 5–0 on points. Thalison is a multiple world champion and keeps building his legacy with huge international wins, and by building the next generation of champions in Byron Bay. The next major international event is the Pan American Championship in Florida, USA in March, where Thalison and his local team will be aiming to win more titles for Australian jiu jitsu.
Bobsledders XI claim big win The Mullumbimby Brunswick Bobsledders cricket team had a big win after posting a 40-over score of 9/414 in their Tweed Distrct Cricket Association clash with the Murwillumbah Panthers Green last Saturday afternoon. Playing at home, the Bobsledders were sent in to bat after losing the toss and proceeded to score at more than ten runs an over. Big scores featured across the lineup with Jonty Thompson topping the list with an unbeaten 93 off 41 balls, while Jared Carr (76 from 31), Heath Godbee-Johnston (76 from 41) and Lachlan McKenzie (60 from 46) all having a good hit. Ten Panther bowlers had a go to try and stem the runs. Dougall Hughes proving the most successful taking 3/29 off four overs. In reply the Panthers were all out in the 38th over after scoring 175 runs. The Mullum-Bruns bowlers had early success, reducing the Panthers to 5/39. Ned Serne then came to the crease and top-scored with 76 from 89 balls. The last three wickets fell for 24. Rick Collings was the pick of the home
take on SE Queenslanders The Byron Magpies and the Ballina Bombers senior teams will play together this season as the Southern Stingrays in the hope that strength in numbers will give them a good showing in the SE Queensland competition. ‘We realised we probably wouldn’t have the numbers to play strong teams in both seniors and reserve grade across the season, which is what you have to be able to do if you register in the SE Queensland Division 2 competition,’ Bombers president Trent Rees said. Last year the Byron Magpies fielded only a senior team so had to play in the Northern NSW AFL competition. There won’t be a merger of the clubs as such, and each will field senior women’s teams under their regular club colours. With the current players they have signed on, Trent is positive the amalgamated Southern Stingrays will be able to have every chance of success in a ‘very competitive’ competition. ‘We had talks with Byron
After winning the Northern NSW AFL flag last year the Byron Magpies will amalgamate with the Ballina Bombers in 2024. Photo supplied Magpies over the summer and it was clear that the best way for them to get back into SE Queensland, and for us to stay there, was to amalgamate the men’s sides,’ Trent said. The team won’t play in red, white and black as these colours are already taken in the competition as are the nicknames ‘ bombers’ and ‘magpies’. We are still working out what the new colour palette will be,’ he said. The draw hasn’t been decided, but the idea is for home games to be shared
between the Cavanbah Centre and Ballina. Training is also expected to be shared between the two towns. The move will also cut down on travel time for Byron Bay who had to venture to Port Macquarie for some games last year. The Byron women are also seeking to be registered in the SE Queensland competition for 2024. The Bombers women were in this league last year and will play there again in 2024. SE Queensland AFL only requires one women’s side per club.
Crowded table in Coastal League cricket
Heath Godbee-Johnston has been enjoying his cricket for the Mullumbimby Brunswick Bobsledders. Photo supplied bowlers with 4/39 off seven overs, followed by James Clarke 2/6 from five overs. The win leaves the Bobsledders second on the ladder behind the Casuarina Crocs. The Cudgen Hornets are third in front of the Panther Ninjas.
Lennox Head hang on to top spot on the Coastal League after a win against fifthplaced Cudgen last Saturday. Cudgen were sent in at Reg Dalton Field and were bowled out for 160, with Lennox’s Nicholas WinklerMaloney doing the most damage with 4/29 off eight overs. Lennox chased down the total in 25 overs with opener Blake Perkins leading the charge with 69 off 66 balls. The win keeps Lennox Head on top of the table with
104 competition points, just one above Byron Bay (103) who are just two points clear of Colts (101), with Terranora in fourth (81), followed by Cudgen (59). Byron Bay beat Lennox Head two weeks ago and got on top of Bangalow last Saturday at the Cavanbah Centre. Banaglow elected to bat and were bowled out for 139 in the 34th over with Jason Trisley the pick of the Byron bowlers collecting 3/23. Anthony McPhail scored 44.
Byron chased down the total in 15 overs from the bat of Doug Jarvis (71 from 38 balls) and Stephen Daniels (52 off 42).
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