Kiama Netball Association kicked off its season over the weekend with its Presidents Round, a special day commemorating the generations of presidents who have run KNA since it began in 1986.The beginning of the season also marked the launch of KNA’s all-abilities program for young children with additional needs. Thanks to support from Greater Bank, the association has received funds to assist with registration fees, uniforms, operational costs, and more.KNA President Michelle Gregory is excited about the program, as she sees local netball as a crucial step in helping young netballers achieve their dreams.“All young netballers have dreams to be an Australian Diamond, but without grassroots netball and the trust and support of organisations such as Greater Bank, opportunities are limited and the pathway to success becomes much harder to navigate,” says Gregory.Gregory is also enthusiastic about the season ahead and specifically mentioned that she wants to place a greater focus on netball umpires this year.“Our goal for this year is a fun, positive season where everyone enjoys the sport. We will continue to work on the growth of our players and coaches and would love to do more work with our umpires - without them, we have no sport,” she says.Over the past few years, KNA has been dedicated to improving their courts and ensuring the playing environment is of the highest quality. Illawarra District Netball Association Secretary Jude Goodair says the funds from Greater Bank will allow Kiama to shift their focus to other important areas of the club.“The support from Greater Bank allows us to shift our focus and set some new goals for this year’s season,” says Goodair. “We have big goals again this season to provide quality programs for our players as well as offer coaching development, pathway programs and increase men’s participation in netball.”Greater Bank Shellharbour Branch Manager Matt Tonkin says he is proud that the company is supporting such a great community sport.“We are really proud to support the local netball associations that bring our community together for good,” says Tonkin. “I love seeing people come together to cheer along their family and friends from the sidelines - it's great to see our sense of spirit come to life!”

Eight players and two coaches from Kiama Oztag proudly represented Australia over the weekend when they made the long trip to New Zealand for the Trans-Tasman series.Held in Auckland from April 4-6 across 15 divisions, the Australian Tagaroos faced off against the New Zealand Tag Blacks in five consecutive matches - one on the first day and two on each of the following two days.Kiama had players competing in the men’s and women’s open divisions, the men’s under-45 division, and the men’s under-60 division. Meanwhile, the two Kiama coaches managed the mixed under-21 team.A list of all the Kiama Phantoms in New Zealand. Source: Kiama OztagTo have so many individuals representing Australia from a town as small as Kiama is an incredible achievement.Four of the five teams with Kiama representatives finished undefeated against New Zealand.The men’s open team lost two games, won one, and drew one before their final match.“The boys were losing the series and went into their fifth game needing a win by a certain margin,” says Kiama Oztag coordinator Keiron Duncan.“That game went into a drop-off, where the teams played five on five, and Kiama’s own Cooper Lee was involved in Australia’s five. The Aussies ended up winning that game and ultimately the series.”At the end of the series, an all-star team was selected, and Cooper Lee was chosen to be part of that squad - an incredible achievement.Duncan, a man of many talents, was also one of the individuals representing Australia in the men’s under-45s division. He describes the weekend as an unforgettable experience.A few of the Kiama men in the Under-60 Australian team. Photo: Kiama Oztag.“Any time you get to represent Australia is special. Your teammates come from all over - Queensland, Gold Coast, ACT, Central Coast, everywhere. Sometimes, there are only a few people you know on the team,” said Duncan.“You meet lots of great people, and the fact that you might only play with them during that tournament makes the experience even more meaningful.”The Trans-Tasman series marks the end of Duncan’s Oztag year, as he now prepares to rest before gearing up for the next season. He’s excited about the upcoming season and the plans he has in place to make it even better.“We’ve got some big plans. We don’t need to build tons of teams; we just want to maintain the quality and ensure the competition remains fun for everyone,” says Duncan. “Moving to the Kiama Leisure Centre this season has been a big help, so hopefully we can stay there. Plus, with the support of Kiama Leagues Club and other sponsors, we can now offer things like ‘Man of the Match’ vouchers, which will help us grow in small ways.”The new season will kick off around September-October, so start gathering your friends and get ready to join one of the biggest sports in Kiama.

Kiama AFL club will have their Family Day at Bonaira Oval on Saturday as all three teams take on Figtree in what is shaping up to be one of the strongest seasons the Power have had in years.Round 1 of the AFL South Coast competition took place over the weekend with only the Kiama Power women’s premier division and men’s reserve grade teams taking to the field.The women recorded a convincing 28-7 over Bomaderry but the reserve grade men narrowly went down 81-71 to Bay and Basin.Action from Kiama Power's women's team last weekend. Source: Kiama PowerFamily Day will coincide with the first game of the season for first grade and committee member Andrew Grady says the club is the strongest it has been in years.“We've had a lot of new people turning up over the pre-season, so we're probably in the healthiest place we've been in for years in terms of numbers,” he said.“At training we've had upwards of 60-plus, which hasn't been seen definitely in the last five, six seasons, especially since COVID, so that's a positive.”Grady said a big part of attracting new players was to do with the club's environment and culture, which has caused many players to stay loyal despite the last few tough seasons.“The last two, three seasons have been pretty hard in terms of results. We haven't really won many games, but the focus has just been on building that culture off the field that people feel like they want to be a part of,” he said.“So we feel like we've done that really well, we've seen the majority of the men's side over the last few seasons remain at the club despite all the results that haven't gone our way on the field, so that's been very positive to see.”Kiama Power's 2024 men's team in a huddle. Source: Kiama PowerFamily Day is a testament to the culture that Kiama Power have been building at their club. The day will join the seniors and the juniors as the junior teams present the seniors teams with their jerseys on Saturday and vice versa on Sunday.There will also be face painting and inflatable slides for kids on the Saturday as well as a fundraiser for Heart Research Australia - a cause very close to the club.“We lost our former president Darren Williams in 2019 - he had a heart attack at the game, so it’s a very important cause to us and we're raising money for that this weekend as well,” Grady said.As for the upcoming match against Figtree, Grady is optimistic despite the Kangaroos being the benchmark team across all divisions. The return of key players like Lachlan Kirk, Charlie Wood, and Callum O'Toole, along with the addition of new players like Hamish Robertson, Luke Fallance, and Matt Walker, brings a fresh energy to the men’s team.On the women’s side, the club has added Imogen Fowles, an Australian indoor hockey representative, as well as a new coach Arthur Chilcott, the first Illawarra player to represent the Swans."Arthur’s expertise will be invaluable as he coaches the girls this season," Grady said.Head down to Bonaira Oval for a weekend full of exciting footy, fun, and a celebration of Kiama Power's growing culture.

Kiama’s Ali Day continues to reign supreme at 34 over much younger ironman competitors, cruising to his fourth Australian crown at the 2025 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.The five-leg race includes a board, run, swim, run and ski. Day was at least 30 metres in front of all competitors as he hopped out of his surf ski and ran the last stretch to the finish line, fist raised to the sky as he realised he had done it again.Day at 34 says he relishes every event as he comes to the end of his career. “I wanted to seize the moment and not leave anything out there,” Day told Surf Lifesaving Australia.Last October, Day claimed his 10th Shaw and Partners Coolangatta Gold Ironman, and he credits his long career experience as a main reason why he continues to be so successful.“The Aussies finals are different,” he said. “I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s not necessarily faster than your semis and it’s definitely harder, but it’s just another pressure situation. You got to stand up and deliver.“I guess that’s experience for me now being in things, that’s my 10th or 11th Australian Ironman final I know how to stick to the race plan.”The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships were held at North Kirra, and Day was racing out of the Surfers Paradise SLSC. The beach holds a special place in his memories.“North Kirra is a lucky beach for me. I came down here as like a 15-year-old and marvelled at Shannon Eckstein, Zane Holmes and Ky Hurst and thought, you know, how cool would that be to one day be in the same arena… and now I’m mentioned in the same sentence as them, it’s really special,” he says.At 34, there has to be a couple of SLSC Ironman competitors dreaming about the time Day decides to give it a rest, but he assured Surf Life Saving Australia that he will be back next year to do it again.“I’ll definitely be back next year. I think there’s a bit of pressure going in today, looking at that under 19 age group coming up, and they get harder and harder to win. To win another one today, I’m over the moon,” he says.This may have been the Kiama local’s fourth Australian open ironman win, but it remains to be seen whether it will be his last. For now, Day's grip on the competition remains strong, and his passion for the sport shows no signs of waning.

Kiama and Gerringong kicked off their South Coast Group 7 campaigns with a bang on the weekend.The revamped Knights faced the Jamberoo Superoos at Kiama Showground on Sunday. Both teams featured new signings and players stepping up from the U18s.Kiama proved too strong, establishing their dominance early by scoring within the first 10 minutes and dominating from there, finishing the game with a 26-0 win.Fullback Brad Killmore, returning from injury, said the team was not quite perfect despite keeping Jamberoo scoreless in a promising sign for the season ahead.“It was a solid first hit-out. With new players coming into the team and a few of the 18s stepping up, it was a bit clunky in patches, but everyone did their job. "We’ll only get better. I’m very happy with our defence - holding them to zero was a great effort by the team,” Killmore said.New Knights recruit Sam Hooper. Source: Kiama Knights.The Kiama Knights also triumphed in the reserve-grade match, although Jamberoo managed to take both ladies' leaguetag games, ensuring they didn’t leave empty-handed.Gerringong suffered an early setback before defeating Berry Magpies at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday. The premiers found themselves behind when Berry scored the first try in the 11th minute.The halftime score was locked at 6-6, but the second half was all Lions as they surged ahead to a 28-6 victory.Gerringong also defeated Berry in the reserve grade and U18s games, though Berry triumphed in the Ladies League Tag 1 match.Elsewhere, the Kiama Rugby team dominated their match against the Wollongong Tech-Tahs at Kiama Showground on Saturday, winning 41-3.The Kiama Quarriers soccer team enjoyed a strong weekend in the Illawarra District League, securing three out of four wins, while Kiama Power claimed victory in their sole South Coast AFL match.

Thirteen-year-old Kendall Payne made history on Sunday by winning the first ‘water medal’ in the history of Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club at the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.Competing in Kirra, she earned a silver medal in the U13 surf race - a 400m swim through the surf - finishing ahead of 230 other competitors. Her father, Richard Payne, who is also the Vice President of Gerringong SLSC, recalls the thrilling moment:“Kendall led the pack through the break, with four girls in contention. They rounded the can, and the race out was quick, but the return was tricky with heavy water movement,” Richard said.“As they slowed down, I couldn’t quite tell where she was. “But then, all four girls caught a wave together. One of them surged ahead by a metre, and the other three were neck and neck. In a sprint to the finish, Kendall edged out the others, crossing the line in second. It was incredible.”Kendall was thrilled about her historic achievement. Hudson Alchin, Kendall Payne and Charlie Miller at The Australian Championships. Photo: Supplied“I’m very proud and it still hasn’t properly sunk in, but overall I am honoured to represent this amazing club alongside with my teammates and coaches that I wouldn’t be here without,” she said.Kendall was one of three Gerringong SLSC members - alongside Charlie Miller and Hudson Alchin - to compete at the Aussie Championships. Richard credits the club’s success to their coaches, ex-professional ironmen Larn Darragh and Greg Miller, who have played a significant role in developing the athletes.“We’re a small, regional club with two former ironmen coaching. They’ve helped teach the little things - like navigating the break - and that’s been key to our success, especially in tough conditions,” he said.Kendall with her medal. Photo: SuppliedHe also praises the dedication of the young athletes at Gerringong SLSC, highlighting Kendall’s rigorous training schedule as an example.“I’ve never seen anyone train harder,” Richard added. “Kendall’s the most determined kid. Despite battling severe asthma and even breaking her toes this year, she never misses a session.“Most of the kids have four pool sessions and another five outside for running, board work, and more. They’re training nine sessions a week, and they would train more if they could. They absolutely love it.”For Kendall, the passion for surf lifesaving goes beyond the sport itself. What truly drives her is the supportive and challenging environment at Gerringong SLSC.“I love everything about surf lifesaving - the hard work, friendships, pushing myself, and the laughs,” Kendall said. “I train hard because I look up to iron women and men, and I know my effort will pay off. But the best part is my teammates and club, they push me to my limits and always support me, no matter what. There’s no easy session with them.”Hudson Alchin made the U13 swim final and finished 25th, while Charlie Miller made the quarters in the swim but narrowly missed out on a semis spot.

Group 7 kicks off on Saturday and this season promises to be one of the biggest yet, with the addition of the inaugural Magic Round.With nine first-grade teams, 10 reserve-grade teams, seven Regan Cup third-grade teams, nine U18 teams, and 22 ladies’ leaguetag teams across three divisions, the 112th season of Group 7 rugby league proves the game is only getting stronger and stronger.“We’re really excited to work closely with the clubs to focus on the growth, development, and sustainability of the competition moving forward,” says Group 7 operations manager Ashton Sims. “Rugby league has been a staple of winter sports throughout the South Coast and has truly been the heartbeat of our winter sports culture. We’re thrilled to build on that this year.”A key highlight of the 2025 season is the several specialty rounds scattered throughout the season, including a Women in League round, a Mental Health Awareness round, NAIDOC round and, for the first time, a Magic Round - mirroring the NRL.“We’ve partnered with the Beer, Food and Footy Festival to host our first-ever Magic Round at Artie Smith Oval on May 17,” Sims said.The Magic Round will feature all four first-grade matches taking place on the day at the same field.“Everyone is looking forward to this milestone in Group 7, and we’re committed to raising the bar with new initiatives and programs to strengthen rugby league in our region and provide a place for the community to come together each weekend.”One of the most anticipated match-ups of Round 1 is the rivalry clash between the Jamberoo Superoos and the Kiama Knights, set for Sunday at Kiama Showground. Both teams missed the finals in 2024 and are eager to start their new season strong.“I’ve heard great things about both teams,” Sims said. “They’ve recruited well over the off-season and are looking to promote local juniors into the senior ranks to ensure long-term sustainability.“You can do all the pre-season training you want, but it all comes down to Sunday afternoon. That’s when we’ll really see where both teams stand. It’s a big local rivalry, and both sides will be fired up to start the season on the right foot.”Another major storyline is whether the Gerringong Lions can pull off a historic three-peat for the first time since Albion Park-Oak Flats in 2000.“A couple of weeks ago, in our inner-club challenge match against Western Suburbs, Gerringong was leading for most of the game but got pipped at the last minute,” Sims said.“They’re a team that continues to focus on developing local juniors, and it’s fantastic to see. I’m sure Scotty Stewart, Nathan Ford, and the whole team will be aiming to secure the first three-peat since 2000.”Gerringong Lions face Berry Magpies at Michael Cronin Oval on Saturday.

Gerringong's Steve Fox feels at home in the surf even though he has Retinitis Pigmentosa - a progressive eye disease that damages the retina.Fox recently competed in the 2025 Bright Sky Australian Pro Adaptive Surf Championships , performing well in the Australian titles and the World Pro event for blind surfers in Byron Bay.The Championships feature competitors from around the world with various disabilities, including those who are in wheelchairs, amputees or people who are visually impaired.Fox secured second place in both the Australian titles and the World Championships, but he said the event for him was less about the competition and more about connecting with others who share similar life experiences.“There aren’t too many people surfing blind, so it’s great to catch up with them and have a chat. It’s also interesting to surf in an event where people are speaking different languages, but we all share the same common interest,” Fox said.“There’s just such a great vibe at the competition. Everyone is excited to be involved. It’s a really positive event – professional, yes, but without that cutthroat feel. Everyone is supportive, and there’s lots of cheering for each other as we all give it a go.”Fox surfs with a guide who helps direct him on the beach and calls him onto waves. “Then, we just paddle in, and from there, I’m on my own, surfing,” he added.Though Fox’s vision has only deteriorated over the last eight years, he’s always been a surfer, and losing his sight was never going to stop him.“I feel at home in the water,” he said. “It’s just natural to me. You can hear the waves coming, so you know where to go. "And when you’re on the wave, you can feel what it’s doing under your feet, so you just follow the energy of the wave.”For those facing similar challenges, Fox offers this advice: “You just have to keep making small changes, take it one step at a time, but always stay positive and get out there to make the most of it.“When you attend an event like this and see people who are completely paralyzed but still surfing with huge smiles on their faces, you realise that anything is possible. "If you're truly committed and want to keep doing it, you can make it happen."

Only one final of the NSW South Coast Junior Regional Titles was able to take place last weekend due to unsafe conditions.Held at Kiama’s Jones Beach on Sunday, Surfing NSW South Coast Regional Director Jo Collinge said the day began quite well.“Although the weather was rainy and windy, the morning started off with plenty of waves and some excellent surfing on display,” Collinge said.Collinge says the 14s, 16s and 18s boys’ heats were particularly impressive with most competitors getting consistently well-scored waves.“A very high quality of surfing was showcased throughout the boys’ heats, with standout performances from Jackson Fraser, Jet Bradley, Bowie Gray, and Lennox Lindsay, all of whom consistently posted excellent scores,” Collinge said.Around midday, the conditions began to deteriorate and the water was deemed unsafe, and as a result only one final was able to go ahead.Photo: Leonie Murphy“The only final that could be held was the Under 14 Girls, with Rubylee Neill taking first place and receiving an Urban Surf voucher, while Abigail Woods claimed runner-up, earning $100 worth of gift vouchers from Natural Necessity and their in-store café, The Perfect Break,” Collinge said.Collinge says the call was made for safety reasons and that the finals will still go ahead at a later date.“Competitors will be advised via Surfing NSW and also through the South Coast Surfing Instagram account.“Thank you to all the judges and crew, particularly water safety, as well as the dedicated parents from up and down the coast who braved the wild weather conditions.“Special shout-out to natural necessity who kindly and generously donated over $1000 worth of prizes for the event. It will be a big finals day and worth coming down to watch,” Collinge added.Photo: Leonie Murphy

When you sit down to hear from Andrew Wilson, the historian at Kiama Golf Club, about the history of the course, his passion for Kiama and its history is immense.Andrew turned up for his interview with The Bugle holding a portable filing cabinet filled with hundreds of documents, as well as a laptop. “People value the history of the golf club, and it’s important to make its most significant parts accessible to everyone,” says Andrew.To celebrate the club's 90th anniversary (at Minnamurra), Andrew thought it was about time more people knew about the history, not just of this particular piece of land, but of a sport and a way of life for Kiama residents.The story begins in 1903: a nine-hole links course was laid out at Chapman Point in Kiama, spanning the paddocks of local residents Mrs Caird, Mr Kendall, and Mr Holden. Thus, the Kiama Golf Club was born.Six years later, Kiama produced a champion woman golfer, Miss Nell Caird, who won the 1909 NSW Ladies' Amateur Championship.In 1916, the golf club ceased operations for reasons that remain unclear. “A photo with rows of army tents spanning the site of the golf course may give us a clue. There is also anecdotal evidence that stray bullets from the rifle range on Kendall’s Beach were a problem,” says Andrew.Nell Caird in 1907. Photo: SuppliedGolf was re-established in Kiama in 1927, the year Leon Trotsky was expelled from the Soviet Communist Party, and a new course was laid out at the site of the existing Kiama High School.In 1934, the golf club tried to improve the course and remove the need to crawl under a barbed wire fence after driving from a certain tee. The request was rejected by the Council, and the golf club advertised for persons with land suitable for a new course.Mr Cyril Boyd, a keen golfer who had carved out a few holes on his property in Minnamurra, made land available, leased for 10 shillings per week.Mr Eric Apperley, a renowned amateur golfer and course designer, laid out the new course, and the first competition round was played on 11 August 1934. It was officially opened by WJ Rumble, president of the Suburban and Country Golf Association of NSW, on 16 March 1935.Kiama Golf Club in the 1950s. Photo: SuppliedThe 1935 edition of Golf in Australia praised the course, stating that Mr Rumble was “most eulogistic concerning the course and its designer, the clubhouse and its facilities, and also those responsible for the enterprise.”Andrew has been using Trove to find articles referencing the golf club, as well as reading through old issues of Kiama Independent.“I ended up going through old Kiama Independents - they're on microfilm at the Kiama Library in the family history centre. I started in 1960 because I knew that was around the time they extended the course to 18 holes, and I’m still going through all the 1970s editions now,” says Andrew.Golf continued into the early years of World War II, but by 1943, things were becoming increasingly difficult. The annual meeting in April 1943 reported on problems with the supply of golf balls and machinery parts for the greenkeeper.The course in 1982. Photo: SuppliedThe associates’ annual meeting in November 1943 reported on the “non-attendance of associates” and that, “There is no doubt that the lack of interest is due to the times through which we are passing.”Golf was discontinued at the club from 1943 to 1946 and at the annual meeting in July 1946, it was reported that: “The meeting decided that an effort should be made to have the course in a condition to commence play on 1st September.”It is not clear whether the 1 September date was achieved, but a golf event staged at the Kiama links on 20 October was reported in the local press. The event involved players from Berry, Gerringong, Nowra, Port Kembla, and Kiama. The main event was won by Cyril Boyd with a net 73.Sorting through anecdotal stories, beliefs, and occasional false information about the golf course has been a challenge for Andrew. “You get a lot of conflicting reports, so you really have to check your information. For example, the club celebrated 100 years of golf in 2005. At the time, the earliest known record of golf in Kiama was from 1905, although we now know that the golf club started in 1903,” says Andrew.The 1984 flooding. Photo: SuppliedIn 1961, Kiama Golf Club’s first 18-hole course was completed under the guidance of Al Howard. The course incorporated seven of the 9 greens from the old course. Only the 8th (now 3rd) hole remained unchanged.The first game was played on Saturday, 21 October 1961, and a new course record of 72 was set by club champion Laurie Kelley. That score was bettered by Bill Peck two weeks later with 69, and he backed it up with a 67 the following week.In 1963, the annual meeting authorised the committee to raise £40,000 to build a new clubhouse. There was a debate over whether the club should enter into an arrangement with Millers Brewery, which was prepared to finance the building, subject to their beer being sold exclusively at the club.Andrew Wilson. Photo: SuppliedA majority of the club members were not fond of Millers beer, and so the option was declined. Instead, funds were raised by issuing debentures. Clubhouse extensions costing £15,000 were opened in November 1966.In the late 1970s, treated sewage from the new subdivision at Gainsborough became available for the course. Members were levied $40 each to cover the cost of a fully automated fairway watering system. A large batch of low-priced Radiata Pine seedlings was procured and planted.The clubhouse was renovated in 1983 and the course was flooded the following year before a number of greens were rebuilt during the 1990s. The last 15 years have seen the pine trees reach maturity and start to die off, one by one. The greens staff now spend a large part of their winters removing dead trees, which are being replaced with mostly brush box. Stage 1 of clubhouse renovations was completed in 2015. Stage 2 is due to start shortly. The Kiama golf course managed to stay open for all but a few days during the COVID-19 pandemic and the club ended 2024 with 984 playing members.The history of Kiama Golf Club illuminates the stories, passions and interests of generations of Kiama residents as well as shaping the identity of Kiama Golf Club and its place in the town’s heart.

Kogarah's Netstrata Jubilee Stadium or Gerringong's Michael Cronin Oval? When the Dragons recorded their first win of the season last Saturday against the Melbourne Storm, you could have been forgiven for confusing the two.Three Gerringong Lions juniors - Tyran Wishart, Hamish Stewart and debutant Dylan Egan - took to the field for the closely fought 14-8 Dragons win.Egan seemed right at home in his debut NRL game playing 49 minutes off the bench with four tackle breaks and 34 tackles including a barnstorming run at a crucial moment in the game which led to a penalty and, ultimately, the try that sealed the game.“It was definitely a dream come true,” Egan said. “I definitely had nerves and butterflies, but overall I was just really excited to get out there.”Once it was announced earlier in the week that Egan would make his debut after being an unused reserve for the Dragons’ first two matches, he was flooded with messages of support to the point where he had to put the phone down to focus on preparations for the game.“I decided not to reply to any messages from Thursday on and just started focusing on what I had to do for the team."The older boys and coaching staff showed a lot of confidence in me, which gave me a lot of belief in myself too."From then on, Egan says the whole week felt like a highlight reel. “From the moment you’re told you're going to debut, to telling your family and friends, to the jersey presentation, and then running out onto the field for the first time. The whole week was unreal.”The Dragons managed to break their duck for the season against the Storm, but it wasn’t convincing in the slightest - only leading by six points for the final 13 minutes.Dylan Egan. Photo: Game Face PhotographyEgan admits he was all nerves and adrenaline until the very last moment.“There was a minute to go and we had a fresh set of six and at that point I pretty much knew that we won the game. That was definitely a highlight,” says Egan.His fellow Gerringong Lions teammate Hamish Stewart, who debuted in round one this season, says it was an honour to get to share the stage with such a close friend.“To run out with Dylan was so surreal, we've played together from U6s in Gerringong, right through the Steelers pathways and now together in the NRL."I love playing with Dylan and so does everyone that plays with him, he's all effort and competes on everything. He's the ultimate teammate,” Stewart said.Stewart made 24 tackles in his 30 minutes on the field and many of those were made with the help of Egan or vice versa.The other Gerringong Lion, Tyran Wishart, may have come away with the loss but was pivotal in Melbourne’s only try, in addition to making 151 run metres and 22 tackles.Photo: Game Face PhotographyEgan believes the dominance of Gerringong in the NRL is due to the passion fostered in the small town.“There’s just a huge love for footy in Gerringong. You’ll go up to the footy field on any afternoon, and there are always kids kicking the ball and playing footy against each other. It’s a great environment to grow up in,” Egan said.The Dragons will face the Eels on Saturday at Parramatta and both Egan and Stewart have retained their spots in the Dragons' 17.

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The Jamberoo Superoos are aiming for a fresh start in 2025 after a last year’s challenging season, in which they won only two of their 16 games.Coach Jono Dallas, returning for his 10th year in charge, took a break from coaching last season but made a brief playing comeback (something he maintains won’t happen in 2025) and says he’s now fully focused on leading the team back to success.Dallas believes the team has strengthened with a mix of new talent and returning players.“There’s a good balance of new and established first graders, which makes a big difference,” he said.“Last year, a lot of guys played more first-grade games than they usually would, which was a positive. It’s good for us now because they’re more accustomed to quality footy.“Adding more quality players this year will only help.”His coaching philosophy prioritises creating a positive, enjoyable environment for the team rather than focusing solely on intense training.A Jamberoo Superoos defender makes a tackle. Photo: Brian Scott“We’re sticking with the approach that’s worked for me - keeping things relaxed and enjoying each other’s company. I’m not saying it’s the only way, but it’s been effective for us,” Dallas said.“The key for me has always been that if the boys are happy, I’m happy. “When players aren’t enjoying themselves, that’s when things start to drop off. So honestly the ultimate thing for me is that they generally enjoy themselves and commit to the footy club, whether it be social nights and functions and all the things that come along with it.”Despite the challenges of 2024, Dallas remains optimistic about the club’s future and is proud of the players who kept pushing through the tough times.“I don’t think the club suffered too much; everyone stayed positive,” he said.“Even though the team didn’t have the depth or quality they needed, they kept competing. “I never saw them give up. Injuries and unavailability will happen, but we’re working on building more depth to cover that.”Dallas is focused on improving the results, not just being competitive.“I want to win. My goal is to have a winning season. It’s not enough to just try hard - first-grade football is about winning. I don’t like walking off the field after a loss thinking ‘well, they tried hard’. You need to win games.”The Jamberoo Superoos will play their first match of the Group Seven season against the Kiama Knights on 6 April at Kiama Showground.

Dylan Egan is the toast of St George Illawarra after the Gerringong forward made a barnstorming NRL debut in Saturday’s upset win over competition favourites Melbourne.Egan came off the bench at Kogarah and played 49 quality minutes, making several strong runs and pulling off some powerful hits on his Storm opponents.He made four tackle breaks and got through 34 tackles in a performance which caught the eye of co-captain Damien Cook.The former Illawarra Steelers SG Ball Cup captain was not the only Gerringong product on the field with teammate Hamish Stewart also playing strongly in just his third NRL game while Tyran Wishart started at halfback for Melbourne."I was excited to watch him debut, just seeing how hard he works at training," Cook said."I didn't know anything about him before getting to the Dragons (this season). “But he's an effort-based player, all the boys love him in the team as well and he never lets anyone down."And that's one of the best debuts I've seen from a young guy, too. He came in against a quality side in Melbourne. In the end, getting that penalty was definitely a big reason why we could close it out."St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan was equally impressed with the 20-year-old second-rower."He is going to have a long future in the NRL, he trains so hard, he knows his footy, he moves well. His determination and attitude is top shelf, so a long career for Dylan Egan," he said.Egan was swamped by a huge group of family and friends when he walked over to the Kogarah hill after the game with many of them wearing T-shirts adorned with his name and photos to celebrate the occasion.

Kiama Oztag took seven Kiama Phantoms representative teams to the Oztag State Cup in Coffs Harbour from last weekend , with the Senior Mixed Opens team making it to the quarter-finals before bowing out.The Kiama Phantoms entered teams in the omen’s 20s, Men’s 20s, Mixed Opens, Men’s 30s, Men’s 40s, and, for the first time ever, a Women’s 37s side - something Kiama Oztag coordinator Keiron Duncan described as “unreal”.“It’s amazing to see women deciding to play representative tag in their 30s. It just proves that it’s never too late to start,” Duncan said.Duncan said while all teams were competitive, the state competition is about more than just winning.“For a small association like ours, it’s important to get away and enjoy the experience. It’s about having fun with your mates and making lifelong friends. When you walk around the fields and catch up with people you haven’t seen in a long time, that’s what makes it special,” he said.The senior mixed team. “You get to have a beer, socialise, and enjoy the friendly rivalry. Winning is great, but it’s the mateship and camaraderie that really make the experience worthwhile.”Duncan is in New Zealand with several other Kiama locals who are representing Australia in the Australian Tagaroos.“I don’t even know the exact number, but the local talent here in New Zealand is amazing. Local Paul Emerson has also been named as the Australian Tagaroos ambassador for the tournament, which is fantastic,” he added.He encourages people of all ages to try out representative competitions, stressing that they are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences - and as the Women’s 37s team proves, it’s never too late to get involved.“I don’t know anyone who’s participated, whether junior or senior, and hasn’t had a positive experience. Especially with our association, we’re doing things right and creating an environment where everyone can compete while having fun. Whether you’re 10 or 40, I recommend giving it a go,” says Duncan.

Local tennis player Ellen Perez returned to Kiama earlier this week to fine-tune her game after flying in from Florida.The 29-year-old from Shellharbour, who is 15th in the world in the women’s doubles rankings, was bundled out of the WTA tournament in Miami at the Round of 32 stage.Along with her new doubles partner Jelena Ostapenko, they were seeded fourth at the tournament. They won the first set 6-4, lost the second 6-2 then bowed out 10-7 in a third-set tie-break to American duo Peyton Stearns and Ekaterina Alexandrova. Ostapenko, from Latvia, has had a career-high world ranking of No.5 in singles.Perez, who was born in Wollongong and learned how to play the sport as a junior with the Oak Flats Tennis Club, has reached 162 in the world in singles and the seventh ranking in doubles.Joe Moseley and Ellen Perez at Kiama.Her earlier than expected exit from the WTA tournament in Miami gave her an opportunity to quickly return home to see her parents John and Mitsi, and family.She also took the opportunity to catch up with her local hitting partner Joe Moseley, the Kiama Tennis Club coach, who was able to put her through her paces in a very solid workout.Perez has been selected in the Australian team coached by Sam Stosur for the Billie Jean King Cup, formerly known as the Fed Cup. She will be joined by Maya Joint, Ajla Tomljanovic, Storm Hunter and Kim Birrell to compete in Group D of the competition at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane on 10 April. After a short family visit, she travelled to Melbourne for training with the team before their first match against Kazakhstan and then Colombia.By David Graham

A record number of young surfers will take to the water at the NSW South Coast Junior Regional Titles at Jones Beach on Sunday, 30 March.Forty-eight surfers from Kiama, Gerringong, Ulladulla, and Culburra boardriders clubs, ranging in age from under 12 to 18, will compete at the Junior Titles.Jo Collinge, South Coast Regional Director for Surfing NSW, says the event provides an excellent opportunity for young surfers to kickstart their competitive careers."It's a fantastic entry-level competition. Many of the kids will have done boardriders before, so they’re familiar with the heat format. But in those events, the atmosphere is often more relaxed, and the competition rules aren't strictly enforced. For many, this will be their first serious competition - a chance to experience what it’s like to compete against some of the best surfers in the region,” says Collinge.Successful competitors at the Junior Titles will advance to the State Titles in Coffs Harbour in June, with the opportunity to progress further to the Australian Titles.A competitor at last year's Junior Regional Titles. Photo: Leonie MurphyLast year, three girls from the region made it all the way to the Australian Titles. Collinge expects the under-16s and under-18s girls’ divisions to be particularly competitive this year.“We’ve got a really strong group of girls in the region. Lani Cairncross made a great showing at the NSW state titles last year. Lucy Darragh recently won her age group for Surfing NSW, and Alice Hodgson is another name to watch. It's going to be exciting,” says Collinge.While a small swell is forecasted for Jones Beach on Sunday, Collinge is hopeful that the larger swells predicted for next week will arrive early.A competitor at last year's Junior Regional Titles. Photo: Leonie Murphy"The primary location is Jones Beach, but we have backup spots at Bombo, Werri, and Surf Beach. The exact location will depend on the conditions, and we’ll announce it on the surfingsouthcoast Instagram account. Everyone is welcome to come down and watch,” says Collinge.Surfing NSW South Coast is a not-for-profit organisation seeking local business sponsors to help continue supporting surfers in the region and enable them to reach their full potential."We really encourage surfers of all abilities to have a go and get involved. It's a great way to see what competitive surfing is all about and decide if it's something you'd like to pursue. At a young age, there’s still plenty of time to become a high-performance surfer,” says Collinge."Many surfers who started at the regional titles have gone on to compete in the Qualifying and Challenger Series."Collinge praised Gerringong's Natural Necessity Surf Shop who donated prizes for the winners of the competition at the last minute. "We are stoked and so grateful for their last minute support," she says.Spectators can watch the action live at the beach, and the heat draw and live scores will be available on Liveheats. If you're interested in supporting Surfing NSW South Coast, get in touch at info@surfingnsw.com.au.