KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - U14 MIXED - PINK PANTHERS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - U14 MIXED - GGB ALLFABS

For most of his life, Dillan Kahale has followed football wherever it led him - from local Sydney pitches to a formative year in Spain.Now, at 27, that same instinct for adventure is carrying him across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, where he and his wife Ashley are preparing to start a new chapter rooted not only in ambition, but in faith, family, and a belief that the best is still yet to come.Soccer, he says, was written into his story almost from birth.Dillan on the field: Supplied“My mum would always tell me how my brother would yell at me as a newborn baby and tell me to hurry up and grow up so we could play together,” he laughs.By 13, that childhood passion turned serious when he was scouted to a club in Barcelona and spent over a year living in Spain - an experience that confirmed the game was more than a hobby.Behind every milestone stood his mother, his greatest supporter.“Mums everywhere deserve more credit,” Kahale says, reflecting on the countless hours and sacrifices she made - but like many young players, Cristiano Ronaldo was also someone he looked up to, but it was his family that kept him grounded.The New Zealand opportunity emerged almost unexpectedly.While honeymooning there years ago, Dillan and Ashley fell in love with the South Island's lifestyle.Dillan and Ashley in Malta: SuppliedWhen he later noticed a local team rising into the Southern League, he reached out - and soon enough, conversations turned into contracts.What excites him most isn't just the competition, but the pace of life.“The outdoors, the beauty everywhere you look, the snow, the people, the non-chaotic and more relaxed attitude towards life.”Leaving home hasn't been easy.“You don't really miss the environment,” he admits after months travelling abroad, “only your family and friends."Having Ashley beside him has made the leap possible.Dillan and Ashley adventuring: Supplied“Every man thinks they have the best wife but I truly do.”Strong in faith, Kahale sees the move as part of something bigger.Time in prayer, he says, prepared them for an opportunity they could never have planned themselves.A year from now, success won't be measured only in goals.“Honestly just being happy,” he says.Dillan on the field: SuppliedAnd to young players chasing big dreams, his message is simple - “passion drives performance.”One day, when he looks back on this chapter, Dillan hopes he'll remember the memories made, friendships formed, and lessons learned - proof that sometimes the bravest journeys are the ones taken far from home, guided by love, belief, and the beautiful game.

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.