Sport
The competition has just gotten serious Help with travel The weekly competition at the Cobar Yabbies Senior Men’s Swimming Club events has gotten very serious and to win, members need to swim a very good time. In last Tuesday’s 50 metres handicapped freestyle swim all of the 13 competitors finished within one and a half seconds of their nominated times. Murray Harland was the best of the bunch winning the event with a time of 0.12 seconds outside his nominated time. Shane Josephson finished second (0.16 seconds) and Dave Mexted was narrowly behind in third place on 0.19. Paul Swainston claimed line honours in the 30m swim when he finished within 0.03 seconds of his nominated time. Kyle Roberts was a touch behind on 0.06 with Bill Fugar, breathing down his neck, finishing within 0.07 seconds of his time for third place.
Jason Toomey was out in front in the 100m swim, but only narrowly. He won with a time of 0.22 seconds off his nominated time with Matt Harland second on 0.25. Swainston collected third place with 0.34. Toomey teamed up with Greg Dimond to win the Brace Relay novelty event. The pair swam to within 0.09 seconds of their combined nominated time to win over Matt Harland and Bob Clark, who grabbed second spot with 0.13. Mexted and Swainston finished third with 0.68. The Cobar Yabbies will be packing their bags this week in readiness for the Western Districts Swimming Carnival to be contested at Wellington on the weekend. Cobar swimmers will compete against other swimmers from around the region in handicapped and sprint races along with relay events.
All advertising deadlines strictly 2pm Mondays Page 16 The Cobar Weekly Wednesday February 8, 2023
costs for athletes
Cobar’s sports stars and teams, along with others from across Far West NSW, will be able to travel to games with ease thanks to a transport trial being introduced by the NSW Government. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the Western Region Sport and Active Recreation Transport Program will subsidise the cost of fuel, bus hire or other public transport on trips of 100 kilometres or more, saving money for families and clubs. “This two-year pilot, which started on January 30 will help reduce barriers to participation in sport and active recreation, which local groups have identified as a challenge in the far west,” Mr Farraway said. “When people have to travel hundreds of kilometres to play in a match or attend training for a representative side, the costs can be huge, particularly with the price of fuel at the moment. “These are costs borne by players and their families, and subsidising their travel will help keep the pressure off household budgets and allow our young future sports stars to keep achieving their sporting dreams.” President of the Cobar Swimming Club Simone Neyland said sport is important to towns like Cobar. “Staying connected with sport and fitness is essential to the wellbeing of people, especially kids, but the distances to get involved can be huge and the costs can be a burden. “I drive my son to swimming meets all over the western region and beyond,” Simone said. “My nephew has to travel a long way to play in his rugby league competition, and there are many people who do this, so anything to help make these trips easier financially would be a huge help to many families I’m sure.” The trial was developed after consulting with key groups. Sporting teams, clubs, schools, and other not-for-profit organisations based in Cobar, Menindee, Wilcannia and Broken Hill can apply for assistance up to 14 days prior to attendance at an eligible competition or event. The funding provided will be based on fuel costs and average fuel consumption by vehicle type, such as bus, mini-bus or car or the cost of a ticket on a public transport service such as train. More information about the Western Region Sport and Active Recreation Transport Program is available at the Transport NSW website: www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/ programs/western-region-sport-and-activerecreation-transport-program
