Cassowary Coast Athletics have hit the ground running

Maria Girgenti

LAST month, a group of enthusiastic youngsters keen to run, jump, and throw a discus, javelin or shot-put attended Cassowary Coast Athletics' Sign On Day at Castor Park, Mourilyan.

The club is for more than just youngsters with a talent for athletics. It also emphasises building skills and confidence in every child.

There is also a focus on participation, enjoyment, technique, setting personal goals and continued selfimprovement rather than winning.

It is an excellent place for kids (and parents) to meet new people, bring families together, and join an encouraging, fun community.

Little Athletics promotes the importance to 'Be Your Best', and their motto is 'Family, Fun and Fitness.'

Little Athletics Queensland is for youngsters aged five to 16 years. All athletes from 17 years and under must register with Little Athletics Queensland, and children aged 5 years to 16 years should produce their birth certificates.

The club is affiliated with Little Athletics Queensland and Athletics North Queensland. Children must have already turned five to sign up, or once they turn five, they can register.

At the AGM, the club's 2023 - 2024 committee is Brenda Gracie (Centre Manager), Gavin Devaney (Assistant Centre Manager), Megan Swenson (Secretary), Sabine Zieger (Treasurer), Sherrie Mann (Registrar), Kristy Williams (Records), Stephen Toolen (Program), Andrea Devaney (Public Relations), Stephen Toolen, Carl D'Urso and Trent Mann (Technical Directors), Ruth Boustead (Life Member) and Teresa Caltabiano (committee member).

Established in 1997, Cassowary Coast Little Athletics has produced many national and Australian champions.

Weather permitting, club nights take place every Friday night (including school holidays) with warm-up at 5.15 pm, then a set program of events from 5.30 pm - 8:30 pm.

The program changes weekly and includes events such as running from 60m to 800m, hurdles, walks, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus, and javelin athletes need to wear closed shoes for all events.

Last month, Cassowary Coast athletes Dominic Bryan, Ruby Torrisi, Siena Torrisi, Braxton D'Urso and Elle Gracie competed at the LAQ McDonalds State Championships held at Townsville Sports Precinct from March 24 - 26.

All athletes did themselves, their club and region proud by giving their all and displaying excellent sportsmanship.

Results:

Braxton D’Urso - Under 11 Boys

1st: 100m (13.40)

3rd: 400m (1:04.52)

Ruby Torrisi - Under 10 Girls

2nd: Discus 500g (28.80m) 1cm between 1st and 2nd

3rd: Shot put 2kg (8.54m)

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Thursdays at East Innisfail State School.

IT'S been a long time since we were lucky enough to have the brilliant weather we just experienced over Easter. The mornings were fantastic; however, you did have to contend with a westerly if you were heading to the reef. Of course, it did blow up a little in the afternoons, making it uncomfortable for the smaller boats.

The fishing was hot and cold, with boats working hard for their fish on Thursday and Friday. As we moved away from the full moon on Saturday and Sunday, the fishing improved dramatically. Unfortunately, many boats struggled again on Monday due to the tiny run in the tide.

I have heard several reports of boats doing well out wide fishing the edge of the continental shelf with good numbers of Nannygai, Red Emperor and Jobfish.

There were also good numbers of Coral Trout and mixed reef fish caught by fishing the main reefs. Boats had to move regularly until they found the structure holding the fish.

This was the same for the spearos as well, with boats having to move around to find the fish or crays.

Several boats reported catching Spanish Mackerel by trolling lures or floating out baits.

Boats fishing the deep water rubble patches and wrecks found the going tough; some mentioned failing to find fish on their favourite rubble patch and returning a few hours later to find it covered in fish. Most boats managed Nannygai, and the occasional cobia and sharks remain problematic.

I travelled out to the islands twice over the weekend. I was amazed at how much Spanish Mackerel I found on the sounder. On Friday, I found one school with twenty or thirty fish. I had to put effort in to get the strike, but with the fish around 13 kilos, I didn't even try for a second. I also found some massive Queen fish and Golden Trevally.

I did hear reports of Fingermark being caught in the evening or very early in the morning, mostly on live bait. A few Fingermark were caught on vibes and soft plastics; however, fishos had to try to get the lures past the Golden Trevally and Queenfish, which were far more receptive.

The odd school of Tuna could be found busting up bait; however, the amount of surface activity generally was disappointing.

I found a few Mangrove Jacks in the estuaries; however, the fishing could be much faster. The long period of hot, calm weather is having an effect. Water temperatures are still over 30 degrees and will need to come down a little to have the Barra and Jacks really come on the bite.

The Whiting and Bream are starting to move into the estuaries, with some nice fish caught over the weekend. The large tides this coming weekend will suit chasing these great family sportfish. I would pump some yabbies or cast net some fresh prawn on the bottom of the low midday tide and fish the run-in.

There were some excellent catches of mud crabs over the last week, so get out the crab pots.

The freshwater reaches of the coastal rivers have been fishing very well for Barra, Sooty Grunter and some lovely Jungle Perch. Tinaroo should also have fished well on either side of the weekend's full moon; however, at this stage, I have heard very few reports.

I am writing this report on Monday, and most families are just returning, so I haven't had a chance to talk to them.

Looking forward to this coming weekend, the forecast at this very early stage of the week looks quite good, with chances to travel out to the islands or reefs a possibility. They are forecasting a westerly, which, if it eventuates, will need to be considered.

The early morning high tide will suit fishing for Grunter in the creeks or the Hinchinbrook Channel. This same tide will offer chances for a Spanish Mackerel, Golden Trevally or Queenfish around the islands or inshore headlands.

The tides are too large to fish in the deep water, so most anglers will probably fish the shallows. The low midday tide will create access problems to the boat ramps and creek mouths.

Good Fishing, Roly Newton, Tackle World Tully

April