KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - U14 - RED DEVILS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - U14 - LEAKY PIPES

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - U14 MIXED - GETTIN' IT DONE

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - U14 MIXED - MEAN AS MANGOES

Kiama Cavaliers Cricket Club will celebrate the sport's extensive history in Kiama at their 170th Anniversary Dinner on 7 February.Founded in 1856, the club has been a central part of the Kiama community for many generations.“Over that time the club has provided sporting opportunities and developed wonderful recreational amenities. It has brought people together and created a club that local residents have been proud to support,” said club president Bernie Brown.Over its 170-year history, Kiama has won five First Grade premierships in six years between 1967 and 1973, including four consecutive titles, and has produced many outstanding players.“Our junior base has consistently been the envy of other clubs and districts, with senior grades - particularly First Grade - often made up entirely of former and current junior players,” said club historian and life member Bill Peters.“Players such as Will Sheridan (Australia Under 19, Victoria, Melbourne Renegades), Mitch Gowland (NSW Second XI), Dale Scifleet (NSW Country) and Trevor McDonald (NSW), among many others, have represented at higher levels, with others achieving junior representative honours as well.”However, Peters says the club’s success hasn’t been driven solely by results on the field, but by its people and the community it has built.“The most compelling thing about the Kiama Cricket Club is its ability to laugh at itself. Often it’s the incidents on the periphery of the cricket that are retold most often and remembered most fondly,” he said.“The gatherings after the game - talking about the day’s cricket, where no falsehoods are accepted, only hard, plain facts - fuel the desire to do better the following weekend. And above all else, it’s about enjoying the game with your teammates.“That is what best describes the spirit of the club and why it is as strong today as it has ever been.”The anniversary dinner will bring together past and present players, supporters, families and friends for an evening of memories, laughter and celebration.Adding to the occasion, the club will welcome Australian cricket legend Mike Whitney as special guest speaker, who will share stories from his playing days and life around the game.“We will also be fundraising through raffles and auctions featuring fantastic cricket memorabilia. More than anything, it’s a great opportunity for past and present players to reconnect, share stories, reflect on achievements and celebrate everything cricket over a two-course meal,” said Brown.“Come along and reconnect with the club, share stories and banter with past and present players, and celebrate cricket in Kiama while strengthening the culture and camaraderie that will set the club up for the future,” Brown said.Tickets are now on sale and early bookings are encouraged due to limited capacity. You can buy tickets on the Kiama Cavaliers website.Event details:Date: Saturday, 7 February 2026Venue: Kiama Leagues ClubTime: 7.00pmTickets: $100

Kiama’s Alice Hodgson claimed the Under-18s girls title at the Taj’s Small Fries surf event in Western Australia last week.Taj’s Small Fries is one of Australia’s most iconic junior surfing events, founded by Taj Burrow and held in some of the best waves Margaret River has to offer.The event is no stranger to local success, with Gerringong’s Lucy Darragh winning the Under-16s division in 2024.The competition began on 17 January, and Hodgson started the tournament steadily, placing second in her first two heats.From the quarter-finals onward, however, she was unstoppable, posting three impressive wins, including two nail-biting finishes in the semi-final and grand final.Hodgson edged out her semi-final by just 0.3 points, before producing two strong scores within her opening three waves in the final. Her opponent, Poppy Redman Carr, surged late with some big scores of her own, but it wasn’t enough to close the gap.Hodgson took out the final by a margin of just 0.34 points, telling Surfing WA she was thrilled with the result.“I’m so happy!” said a beaming Hodgson. “WA is such a great place, with super-fun waves. Our final was so close and could have gone either way, but I’m stoked that my hard work finally paid off.“I got a left in my last heat and realised it could give me a couple of scores. I knew they were out there, and it worked out.”The win marks another milestone for Hodgson, who made history in November as the first female competitor to win the annual Jones Beach Boardriders ‘Robbo’s Round’ event in its 43-year history.Jones Beach Boardriders congratulated Hodgson on her latest success.“Competitors were treated - and tested - by a solid swell today, with plenty of size and power on offer,” the club said.“Alice absolutely rose to the challenge, making a huge splash in the finals and showing confidence, composure and strength when it mattered most. We’re incredibly proud to see her step up and own it in big conditions.”The club also acknowledged fellow JBB member Ruby Neil, who narrowly missed progressing to round two of the Under-16s division by just 0.04 points.“Shout-out also to Ruby Neil, who represented Jones Beach Boardriders in the Under-16s, gaining valuable experience and holding her own in demanding surf - an important part of the journey,” the JBB team said.

KIAMA CAVALIERS - AUSTRALIA DAY CUP - GAME 2

KIAMA CAVALIERS - AUSTRALIA DAY CUP

WERRI BEACH BOARDRIDERS - MASTER-BLASTERS

WERRI BEACH BOARDRIDERS - SUPER SURFERS

WERRI BEACH BOARDRIDERS - YOUNG GUNS

WERRI BEACH BOARDRIDERS - SHREDDERS

KIAMA WOMEN'S 6-A-SIDE SOCCER

KIAMA MEN'S 6-A-SIDE SOCCER

Kiama Netball Association (KNA) is leading the way in NSW netball with the launch of a new Youth Advisory Group, designed to embed young people directly into governance and decision-making at a local association level.The Youth Advisory Group is a nine-month role, running from April to December 2026, and is open to young people aged 12 to 18. The initiative aims to provide meaningful leadership opportunities and a genuine platform for young members to contribute to the future of netball in Kiama.KNA President Michelle Gregory said the program reflects the association’s commitment to listening to young voices and investing in the next generation of leaders.“Our young people have incredible insight, energy and ideas,” Gregory said.“This group gives them a genuine seat at the table while helping them grow as leaders within netball and the wider community.”The initiative has been driven by long-time Kiama Netball volunteer Natalie Allan, who is also a coach and parent of two daughters playing club and representative netball.“We have a lot of committed volunteers, but we also have an ageing committee,” Allan said.“At the same time, we’ve got a group of young people who are really passionate about netball and want to be involved in more ways than just playing.”Allan said her interest in developing the group was influenced by her daughter Molly’s involvement in the inaugural Netball NSW Youth Advisory Group in 2025.“It’s been a fantastic experience for her,” Allan said.“She’s had the chance to contribute as a regional netballer and share her perspective as both a player and a young coach.”Molly said the experience showed her the value of youth participation in leadership roles.“Being part of the Netball NSW Youth Advisory Group showed me how much young people can contribute,” she said.“I’m excited to help bring the same experience to Kiama so players here can help shape the future of netball locally.”The idea was initially proposed as a club-level youth committee before being taken to the Kiama Netball Association. All six affiliated clubs supported the concept, agreeing it should be implemented at an association-wide level.“We realised pretty quickly this was bigger than one club,” Allan said.“Having all six clubs on board showed there was a real appetite to give young people a seat at the table.”The Kiama Lions Club has provided KNA with $500 in seed funding. Photo: Netball NSWThe Youth Advisory Group will provide participants with exposure to governance, decision-making and community engagement, while allowing the association to benefit from fresh perspectives and new ideas.To support the establishment of the group, Kiama Netball has drawn on its strong relationship with the Kiama Lions Club, which has provided $500 in seed funding.Young people interested in applying for the Kiama Netball Association Youth Advisory Group can do so via the online application form: https://forms.gle/H2XZhk51zsiH5T5J8.

All 44 spots in the annual Kiama Sevens Tournament have been filled with more than a month remaining before the event returns for its 54th consecutive year.“We’ve got all 44 spots in the men’s and women’s competitions already covered,” tournament director Mark Bryant said.“We’ve got a team from Western Australia, three coming up from Victoria, one from the ACT, and the rest from Sydney, which is really good and makes for a strong competition. I’d say it’s probably the strongest women’s competition we’ve seen.”Not only does 2026 mark the tournament’s 54th year, it also follows one of the most successful seasons Kiama Rugby has enjoyed in recent memory, with first grade winning the premiership and reserve grade finishing runners-up.“They’re in the Country Cup playing against other country sides, and they’re all pretty strong,” Bryant said.“Kiama’s given them a shake-up over the last couple of years, so it’s a new season. It depends on who turns up at training and who’s had a big off-season at Christmas. But they’re always competitive and they always have a real go, which is great for the club.”Kiama in last years Kiama Sevens tournament. Photo: Brian ScottThe Kiama Sevens has long been regarded as one of the strongest rugby sevens tournaments in Australia and New Zealand, particularly at a time when the format is shrinking elsewhere.Bryant pointed to the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, an international competition run by World Rugby, which has recently reduced its number of teams.“They’ve reduced it from 12 teams down to eight,” he said.“New Zealand no longer has the same competitions it once did, and a number of others have disappeared altogether. Even though sevens is still an Olympic sport, there’s no real expansion at the moment. At 54 years, we’re still standing strong.”Because of its reputation, the Kiama Sevens has also become a valuable scouting opportunity for Rugby Australia.“Ultimately, everyone wants to be an Olympian and this is a genuine pathway,” Bryant said.“Rugby Australia and the Australian Sevens program, including Tim Walsh and Scott Bowen, will send players into teams coming back from injury or keep an eye on certain players. They use Kiama Sevens as a sighting board.”The tournament’s media launch will take place on February 20, the week before the event, with Scott Bowen - High Performance Manager for the Australian Sevens program - set to attend.“He’s a former Wallabies five-eighth, so having him come down will be great,” Bryant said.“It’ll be good to hear from Scott and see how Rugby Australia continues to be involved with the Kiama Sevens.”Bryant believes the tournament’s longevity comes down to consistency and trust built with clubs over decades.“We keep things much the same so clubs know exactly what to expect on the day,” he said.“We’ll still have Touchdown Helicopters bringing in the trophies, we’ll still have seven finals on the day, and as long as the fields are in tip-top shape, everything’s pointing towards another big weekend.”The Kiama Sevens will take place on February 28. Organisers are still seeking volunteers for the event.Anyone interested in being part of one of Kiama’s biggest annual sporting events - and potentially seeing future Olympians in action - can contact Kiama Sevens via their website at kiamarugby.com/contact or directly through Bryant on 0439 640 896.

Former Kiama Nipper and 11-time Coolangatta Gold winner Ali Day currently leads the Shaw and Partners Iron Series heading into the final round of the competition.The Shaw and Partners Iron Series is a gruelling four-round competition that brings together the fittest and strongest surf athletes in the country, all competing for the top prize.The series began with the 2025 Coolangatta Gold, which the 35-year-old Day won. Round two was then held in Newcastle on December 13 and 14, where Day got off to a strong start.Ali’s father, Ross Day, explained that the Newcastle round featured three races on each day. Day one consisted of three super sprint races, with Ali finishing second in the final, behind Callum Brennan.“On day two,” Ross said, “the races took the format of an eliminator. In the first race, 28 competitors started, with the last six eliminated.”“Race two saw 22 start, and again the last six were eliminated. The third and final race was contested by 16 competitors, with Ali winning that one.”Ali, who has won the series five times, was ecstatic to secure the day-two victory, propelling himself to the top of the points leaderboard.“To get it done today is special. I was annoyed yesterday when I crossed the line in second place, but at the same time I was so happy for CJ [Brennan],” Day said.“I knew going into today it was going to be hard, but the conditions suited me. They were kind of flat and you’ve got to work for it. I felt that as each Ironman race went on, I got a little bit better and better. When the opportunity came knocking, I just grabbed it with both hands.“The feeling of knowing it’s my last year, I have no regrets. I wanted this one today and I’m happy to come away with the win,” he said.After a long break, the next round of the competition was held last week on January 10 and 11.With Day clear at the top of the leaderboard, he didn’t need to do much to maintain his position and did not place in the various races on day one.However, during Sunday’s Ironman eliminators, he claimed victory in the first of three races and finished fifth in the final.Despite not achieving the results he may have hoped for, Day remains at the top of the points leaderboard, now equal first with Ethan Callaghan.The series will be decided on the final weekend in Miami, Queensland, on January 31 and February 1. Day one will feature three Iron Sprint races, with the top 12 athletes progressing to the grand eliminator on Sunday.The grand eliminator will consist of three Ironman races, starting with the final 12 competitors. After each race, the last two finishers will be eliminated, with the series winner crowned at the conclusion.With everything on the line in the final round, Day will be chasing one last statement in an extremely impressive career.

You could be excused for seeing double on the cricket pitch during a Kiama Cavaliers fourth-grade match this season, with a remarkable five father-son pairings taking the field throughout the 2025-26 campaign.Those combinations include Shane Wilson and his son Oliver, Adam McCrone with sons Harry and Riley, Andrew Marsh with Heath, Giles Brown with Milo, Brett Nortje with Marlow, Col Bayley with Hayden and Glenn Coghlan with his son William.Kiama Cricket Club president Bernie Brown said the decision to re-form a fourth-grade side in 2025 was driven by the opportunity to connect fathers and sons through cricket.“A number of dads coach junior teams, and through those conversations we discussed the opportunity to form a fourth-grade side again, giving fathers the chance to play cricket with their sons,” he said.“We wanted to use fourth grade as a platform to introduce talented young cricketers into grade cricket - firstly by allowing them to play alongside their dads, and secondly by creating a pathway to nurture talent and progress through the grades.”Brown said the initiative has delivered a double win for the club: encouraging fathers out of retirement while preparing young players for the demands of grade cricket - and creating some unforgettable moments along the way.“Seeing the pride of dads taking the field alongside their sons has been priceless. We plan for this to be a long-term opportunity for fathers to return to the game and play with their boys. There’s no better moment than a parent taking a catch from their child’s bowling - the whole team gets around it,” he said.The father–son dynamic has also fostered a strong family culture within the team, adding to the atmosphere of Kiama Cricket Club as a whole.“Fourth grade probably attracts the best spectator attendance, largely due to the father-son and family connections. We often see siblings, mums, partners and grandparents coming along to watch, which has shaped our culture into one centred on fun and family. It has also brought a lot of energy to training sessions and post-match functions at the leagues club.”The young players in Kiama's fourth-grade team. Photo: Bernie BrownOn the field, fourth grade has also been Kiama’s most successful side this season, currently sitting second on the ladder - a result Brown attributes to strong team chemistry and quality mentorship.“The boys have been key contributors so far this season, often finishing matches with the bat and showing maturity, determination and fight,” he said.“In round five, in a match reduced by hail and rain, 17-year-old Milo Brown guided the Cavs home over Gerringong with three balls to spare. The following week, Oliver Wilson and Harry McCrone finished the job against Oak Flats with three overs in hand. The boys aren’t just participating - they’re competing and winning matches.”Brown said the team culture has played a major role in the development of the young players and is something he hopes will continue into the future.“Our skipper, Andrew Marsh, leads the way by giving the boys responsibility within the team and backing them. There’s also plenty of banter between fathers and sons, which keeps the environment fun and helps take pressure off the boys,” he said.“They’re also learning umpiring and scoring, which are important aspects of the game. Recently, we held a father-versus-son friendly match followed by a barbecue - a great way to return after the Christmas break and, by all accounts, a fiercely competitive contest, with the boys eager to beat the dads.”Following the Christmas break, fourth grade was the only Kiama side to avoid an abandoned match, but they were unable to continue their strong form, falling to ladder leaders Jamberoo.Kiama Cricket Club will celebrate its 170th anniversary on 7 February at Kiama Leagues Club. Tickets are available via the club’s website.

GERRINGONG JETS 2ND GRADE T20