Gerringong Surf Club and Werri Beach Boardriders have joined forces to host a fundraising night in support of local surfing sensation Lucy Darragh.Funds raised from the event at Gerringong Surf Club on Saturday (11 October) at 6pm will go towards Lucy’s journey as she aims to become a world champion.The 15-year-old recently qualified for the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, set to take place in Peru from 5-14 December. She has been overwhelmed by the local community’s support.“I feel incredibly lucky to have such amazing support from this community. I’ve grown up surfing Werri Point and doing nipper training with the surf club, which has already helped me so much in my journey,” said Lucy.“All the support and help they are giving me has definitely given me a big boost heading into World Juniors.“Being able to represent not just Australia but the boardriders and the surf club means a lot.“It’s a huge achievement for me to represent my country in such a big event, and I can’t wait to cheer on all my teammates and spread the Aussie spirit.”With the championships under two months away, Lucy is training harder than ever.Lucy when she won the Nias Pro earlier this year“I’ve been in the water as much as possible, working on my heat strategy and technique. I’ve also been doing lots of gym training with help from NSWIS and other fitness programs to improve my surfing and get ready for such a big event.”Lucy sits at No. 2 on the Australia/Oceania Qualifying Series rankings, following a huge win at the Nias Pro earlier this year. She’s determined to keep the momentum going.“My goal, results-wise, is to make the final and win a medal for Australia. But personally, I just want to show my best surfing in my heats and represent Australia with pride and determination.”Tickets are still available for the fundraiser, which promises a fun night out with:Raffles, auctions, and lucky door prizes with amazing giveawaysLive music to set the vibeDelicious food trucksAnd of course - the bar will be open!Get your tickets here: Eventbrite – Lucy’s ISA FundraiserCan’t make it on the night? You can still support Lucy by buying online tickets for the raffle: RaffleTix – Lucy’s ISA Fundraiser 2025

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - UNDER 8 MIXEDGRAY SHARKS VS SPEEDY SPRINKLES

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - UNDER 8 MIXEDLIGHTNING BOLTS VS KIAMA ALL SAINTS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - UNDER 6LITTLE LEGENDS VS THE SPOTTO'S

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - UNDER 6 MIXEDMINI-SHREDDERS VS TAGOSAURUS REXES

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - UNDER 6THE WOMBATS VS THE WOMBATS

Gerringong Lions NRL utility Tyran Wishart has capped a tremendous season for the Melbourne Storm by earning selection in the Prime Minister’s XIII squad. It is the second season in a row that Wishart has made the squad, recognition of his reputation as one of the emerging stars in the NRL who could be an Origin or Test player in the future.Anthony Albanese announced the Australian men’s and women’s Prime Minister’s XIII squads earlier this week for the clashes with their Papua New Guinea counterparts at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby on Sunday.The men’s team will be captained by South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi with Wishart joined by the likes of Storm teammate Nick Meaney, Rabbitohs duo Jye Gray and Tallis Duncan, Canberra trio Ethan Strange, Tom Starling and Corey Horsburgh.The women’s Prime Minister’s XIII will be captained by Cronulla hooker Quincy Dodd.Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters will oversee the PMs XIII before heading off to the UK later this month for a three-Test Ashes series against England.“The squad has a really strong mix of experienced representative players and some of the best young talent that we saw showcased in the NRL this season,” he said."There is a lot of strike across the park with the likes of Ethan Strange, Jye Gray, Bradman Best and Jason Saab and some real power and mobility up front, led by Keaon Koloamatangi who is getting the opportunity to captain the side."I’m excited to get to work with the team this week and put on a great display in Port Moresby on Sunday.”For Wishart, selection in the PMs XIII was a pick-me-up after Melbourne went down 26-22 in the NRL grand final on Sunday night at Accor Stadium after holding a 10-point lead at the break.Wishart was brought into the game early off the bench after centre Jack Howarth suffered a groin injury.The versatile 25-year-old faced a tough task filling in on the left edge against Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs.He made 18 runs for 128 metres and made 11 tackles, missing just one.Unfortunately for Wishart, he has now lost two grand finals on the trot, doubling the tally of his father Rod, whose last match was St George Illawarra’s 20-18 defeat in the 1999 premiership decider.Wishart is entering the final 12 months of his contract with the Storm and with the Perth Bears coming into the competition the following season, he is likely to command a sizeable upgrade after becoming a permanent member of Melbourne’s line-up over the past two years.

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - UNDER 16 GIRLSBOMBO BEACH RATS VS TAGTEAM

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - UNDER 14 MIXEDMEAN AS MANGOS VS RED DEVILS

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG - UNDER 14 MIXEDGGB ALLFAB VS GETTIN' IT DONE

KIAMA JUNIOR OZTAG UNDER 14 MIXEDPINK PANTHERS VS LEAKY PIPES'

More than 30 years ago, Craig Scott married into what could only be described as a Kiama Little Athletics dynasty - and today, he finds himself part of four generations of the same family still actively involved in the club.It all began with Scott’s father-in-law, Don Hodgekiss.“He’s been involved since 1971 as a coach, starting at Lake Illawarra Little Athletics,” said Scott.“He’s now 90, and he still coaches little athletes. It’s unbelievable. I honestly can’t believe it when I see it.”Scott began helping out in 1993, not long after marrying Don’s daughter. Like Don, he started at Lake Illawarra, before moving with the family to Kiama in 2003, where they’ve remained ever since.The family legacy has only grown.“My daughter, Talissa, has been involved since 1996. She spent most of her Little Athletics career at Kiama. She got married three years ago, and now my granddaughter, Sienna, who’s three, attended her first Little Athletics meet just two weeks ago,” Scott said proudly.That makes four generations of one family showing up at Little Athletics meets every week - something Scott didn’t even realise until it was pointed out to him.“I didn’t pick up on it - I was too busy running around. I’m also the president of the Kiama Little Athletics Centre. I was making sure everything was ready to go when someone said to me, ‘You know there are four generations of your family here?’”Like many volunteers, Scott was hesitant at first when asked to get involved.“When our kids were old enough to attend, my wife said, ‘I want to take the kids to Little Athletics.’ So I was, for want of a better term, late - I was just dragged along because the family went.“But I found out after a while that I didn’t mind it at all.”In fact, Scott went on to become a major figure in the sport. In 2017, he was appointed Chairman of the Little Athletics NSW Board, and he is now a life member of the organisation.Even after his children stopped competing, he chose to stay involved - a decision that often prompts the question: why?“I just really enjoy being with the children and watching them grow. Now I’ve got second-generation families coming through - kids who were Little Athletes when I first started at Kiama, now bringing their own children.”“From my perspective, it’s not a requirement to have your own kids involved. If you enjoy it and enjoy being with the children, that’s enough. I’ve been mowing and marking that athletics track down there for 21 years.”For Scott, the memories made along the way have been just as important as the achievements.“As a family, we really loved going away to carnivals. Every year there’s a Zone Championships, and we’d go away for the weekend. I was also the Mid-South Coast Zone Coordinator, so I ran those carnivals too.”“We’d also travel to region carnivals in places like Dubbo, Finley, and Wellington. We’d leave on a Thursday or Friday, and there’d be 20 or 30 people from the club - we’d book out an entire caravan park or hotel. They were wonderful weekends away that I’ll never forget.”But at the heart of the story - and the reason this legacy exists - is one man.“It all stems from Don, the patriarch. I still can’t get over the fact he’s actively involved. He still runs long jump and triple jump at every club meet. And when I tell people he’s 90 years old, they can’t believe it.“He’s truly an inspiration - someone who keeps us coming back.”To have four generations of one family involved in a single club is rare - and in this case, it’s a testament to the commitment, generosity, and spirit of a family that Kiama is lucky to have.

As a youngster from Merimbula who grew up in Sydney, Evin Priest would marvel at the beauty of Gerringong golf course each Christmas when his family returned south to see family on the Sapphire Coast. “I’d always think, ‘look how amazing that course looks’,” recalls Priest, who turned his childhood passion into a career as a US golf and sports correspondent for the Australian Associated Press several years before returning to Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.But never in his wildest dreams did Priest, who joined the Gerringong club during the lockdown, imagine he would one day play the picturesque course with Steve Williams - one of the world’s greatest caddies.On October 10, Williams - the man who helped Tiger Woods reach the top of his game - will join Priest at the beachside course to play 18 holes, followed by a signing of Together We Roared, the book the pair co-authored.Priest met Williams while travelling the world and writing about the globe’s greatest golfers and their caddies, and the humble Kiwi bagman and laconic Aussie scribe became mates. But COVID clipped Priest’s flying wings and, after living in the US for several years, the journalist returned to Sydney to work.Evin Priest.Golf was his lockdown activity of choice and Priest joined Gerringong, the course he admired as a child.He and Williams also started a popular golf podcast, Chasing Majors, in 2022 with the successful first series sparking the idea for Together We Roared. Priest describes writing the book with Williams, which recounts the New Zealand-born caddy’s time on the bag for 13 of Woods’ 15 major titles, as “a dream come true”.Evin tries his luck at Gerringong.“To write anything that contributes to the historical literature of Tiger Woods, and Steve’s role in that, has been incredible,” says Priest, who would update Gerringong’s club members and staff on the book's progress each weekend when he played the course.“Jake and Shane (Gerringong pro shop staff) and the club president Tony, would hear all about it and cheer me on every step of the way.“When Shane asked me if I was doing a book launch in Australia I thought okay, why not? The book’s official launch was in Sydney but it made sense to have one in Gerringong too, given it’s the course that really kicked things off for me.”So, Priest pitched the idea of an informal book signing and Q&A session at Gerringong to Williams and was delighted when he agreed, doubly so when the caddy jumped at the chance to play 18 holes.“I never knew if Steve was going to go for it or not,” says Priest. “But to his credit he just said ‘yeah absolutely I'd love to come down and play the golf course you've told me about’ and to hear him excited makes me even more excited.”Priest describes Williams as one of the most humble people he’s met, and compares playing Gerringong with him to the way Williams felt when Tiger played at Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club, the caddy’s home course, before the 2002 New Zealand Open.“Steve fought back tears when Tiger was playing a practice round ahead of the NZ Open,” says Priest, recounting an excerpt from Together We Roared. “Steve just couldn't believe that, not only was his home course hosting the greatest player who has ever lived, but that he was working for him.“So for me to take Steve to Gerringong, while it’s not my childhood course, it is very special to me, it’s going to be amazing.”While Priest says he won’t be fighting back tears, he’ll certainly struggle to wipe the smile from his face.“To think that I'm bringing a guy that I consider a hero to play at Gerringong golf club and then speak to not only the members but the community at the footy club that night, it's just a pinch yourself moment,” he says.“It’s a really fun course, it’s got that laid-back South Coast approachability which Steve really appreciates, and the views are just incredible. The maintenance team do an amazing job with the rain and wind Gerringong receives. “Some of the world's most famous beach courses might have 14 holes looking at the ocean but at Gerringong you can see the sea from every hole, you’re looking at the crashing waves on every single shot.”And there will be no shortage of members lining up to share their tips on playing the course’s trickier holes with the world-famous bagman.The book signing will be held at the Michael Cronin Oval Clubhouse at 6.30pm. Tickets are $75 and include a copy of Together We Roared, which Williams and Priest will be available to sign. For more information visit Gerringong Golf Club’s website or Facebook page.

Two years ago, Kiama Quarriers striker Alyce Quod was ruled out of her team’s grand final after injuring her back in the semi-final - an injury that required surgery.A year later, she returned to the field, only to tear the plantar fascia in her right foot and spend nine weeks on the sideline. Just two weeks after making her comeback, she broke her arm and was out for another six weeks. Then, in the semi-final, she suffered a Grade 4 AC joint injury in her shoulder - and missed the grand final again.This year, things finally went her way. Quod made it through the entire season injury-free, played in an undefeated Division One team, won a long-awaited grand final, scored 25 goals, and was awarded the Golden Boot for the entire Community League.“It’s been a friggin’ journey,” she said.The 35-year-old received the award at the Football South Coast presentation night. Despite playing for more than 25 years, this is the first time she’s claimed the league’s top scorer title.“I think I've played enough to not really feel much when it comes to winning that kind of award. Obviously, it's a very individual award - but my job is a striker. I’ve been playing striker for 25-plus years, so that’s my job: to put balls in the back of the net,” she said.“And if that means at the end of the season they tally up to win an individual award, then that’s fantastic.”Although recognised for her goal-scoring achievements, Quod made it clear she couldn’t have done it without the team behind her.“No one can win the Golden Boot without the tireless effort of everybody in the team. The ball has to come from the back to the front - and it’s just my simplistic job of putting it in the net.”When asked about her favourite goal of the season, Quod didn’t hesitate - she had three, and all came in the preliminary final against Moss Vale, the game that secured her team’s place in the grand final.“We were actually down - I’d scored first within the first few minutes, then they came back and scored two. So we were losing and just getting absolutely smashed,” she said.“Then I got this awesome corner. I just jumped up, put my head on it, and it went into the top left corner - we levelled the scores with about eight minutes to go.”“And then we had this random free kick, well outside the box, out on the right-hand side. I’m just sitting there thinking, what am I going to do with this? She kicked it up, floated it in - I was about 11 metres out - and I just jumped up, connected with my head, and in slow motion, the ball soared over the keeper’s fingertips and went in with just moments to go.”Reflecting on the season, Quod admitted that things didn’t always look promising - and she almost didn’t play at all.“It was a really interesting start to the season. We started off with about seven confirmed players. We didn’t think we were going to have enough, and I was on the verge of doing something else,” she said.“Then, out of the woodworks, floated in all these different women from all walks of life - mostly young. I’m the third oldest in the team. But we started training hard, twice a week, with lots of fitness. And the girls were amazing.”Despite the rough start and unfamiliarity among players, things started to click - and Quod believes that team chemistry played a huge part in her goal-scoring success.“Even though we were really talented across the board, it was rusty at the start. Chemistry needed to be built - and I think it didn’t take us long,” she said.“I just needed to figure out how my midfielders and wingers were going to service me the ball. Probably about a month in - four games under our belt - and we started to mesh together. That was really pinnacle.”After years of setbacks, Alyce Quod’s season was a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the joy of finally getting the reward she never stopped chasing.

Recent Senior Citizen of the Year award winner John Dawson has announced he is stepping down as secretary of the Kiama District Sports Association (KDSA) after 13 years of involvement.Citing frustration, burnout, and a loss of influence, Dawson said one of the biggest reasons behind his departure was ongoing issues surrounding the Kiama Sporting Complex masterplan.“My main reason for joining the KDSA was the complex - that was my top priority,” said Dawson.Dawson said he initially got involved in the KDSA to help unify the various sports using the complex - including soccer, netball, cricket, and OzTag - so they could advocate for upgrades as a collective.“I had a foot in a lot of different sports without any formal affiliation. So my main driver was to push for the complex to be redeveloped. A lot of clubs were saying independently, ‘we’re going to do this or that’,” he said.“But we knew from experience it was better to come as a combined group. So back in about 2021 - maybe even earlier - we came together as a group.”He explained that Council responded by launching a broader strategic plan for the LGA, which included a dedicated masterplan for the Kiama Sporting Complex to support future grant applications.But since then, progress has stalled.“We’ve had something like three or four different mayors, three or four different directors of infrastructure, two or three CEOs, all these different staff,” Dawson said.“People in the clubs have all gone. I'm about the only one who's been consistent.”Even after the long-awaited masterplan was released for public exhibition in June, Dawson said the plan has created more confusion and further delays.“The whole idea of the strategic plan was to come up with a priority list of projects the Council could refer to - then they could say, ‘right, let’s apply for grants,’” he said.“But other groups, like the Gerry Emery redevelopment, weren’t prepared to wait. And now they’re well into their developments - meanwhile, the complex is going nowhere.”Fiona Phillips at Kiama Sporting Complex with Dawson back in September 2024. Photo: Fiona PhillipsAs more upgrades were gradually added to the masterplan, Dawson said the original, more achievable goals - like rebuilding the amenities block - were lost in the expanding scope.“It started off only being the soccer fields - which is where the cricket field is - and I said, no, you’ve got to include the netball complex as well,” he said.“They agreed, but they said, adamantly, the leisure centre's not included in this. But then it got reviewed and deemed end-of-life, so it was suddenly added - and now the whole thing has just ballooned.”Andrew Constance and Sussan Ley checking out the Kiama Sporting Complex facilities with Dawson back in April of this year. Photo: Andrew ConstanceHe said decisions around other contested elements - such as whether to relocate the skatepark or demolish the grandstand - have made the plan even more complicated.“Someone recently asked the question: are we going to see this in our lifetime? And I just thought - I don’t know if I have the time or energy to continue being at the forefront.”And so, after more than a decade of dedicated involvement, Dawson made the difficult decision to step away.He has nominated himself for a position on the future Sports Complex Masterplan Management Committee, which would allow him to continue focusing solely on the redevelopment - but he’s not optimistic about being included.“I said in my report that I still want to be involved,” he said. “But I’m not holding my breath that I’ll be invited.”Despite the challenges, Dawson remains proud of his service and encourages others to get involved in their communities.“I’ve loved it. I still love it. And I’m still going to volunteer and help out in other things,” he said.“I just felt that for this particular role - it was becoming too much.”The Bugle thanks John for his many years of service in the Kiama community, and can't wait to see what he does next.

Kiama siblings Miller (16) and Ginger Siasat (14) have been named among 12 South Coast recipients of the Albanese Labor Government’s Local Sporting Champions (LSC) grants program.The program provides financial support for young athletes to attend national and international championships. Both Miller and Ginger received funding earlier this year to compete at separate national events.Miller competed in sprint events at the Australian Track and Field Championships in Perth in April, while Ginger represented New South Wales at the Australian Schools and Juniors Rugby Championships on the Sunshine Coast in July.Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips congratulated the pair, calling them an inspiration to the local community.“The grants help young sportspeople and their families attend big events and represent our region, the state, or the country in their chosen field,” she said. “I’m so happy to support Miller and Ginger. They’re great kids who dedicate so much time and work extremely hard towards their sporting goals.”Although they competed in different sports, both siblings are talented all-rounders.Ginger and Miller regularly train and compete in the 80, 100, 200 and 400 metre track events. Both also play rugby and are active members of the Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club. Miller is a dual Australian Champion in both beach sprint and flags, while Ginger is a State Champion beach sprinter.When asked which sport she prefers, Ginger said she enjoys the team spirit of rugby.“With track, you’re on your own and just trying to beat your own times, so it can be isolating,” she said.“Rugby, being a team sport, is really social and you make great friends for life.”Miller added that he believes each sport he plays helps him improve in the others.“Athletics builds up the fundamentals for rugby,” he said. “Running has definitely helped me - to be good at rugby, you’ve got to be fast.”The LSC program provides grants of $500 to $750 to help cover travel, accommodation, uniforms and other competition-related expenses.Ms Phillips encouraged more local athletes, coaches and officials to apply for the next round of grants.“The Federal Labor Government doesn’t want financial barriers stopping local champions from representing their state or country,” she said. “I’d encourage anyone who has competed, or plans to compete, at a state, national or international level to apply before the next round closes on October 31.”Apply here: Local Sporting Champions | Australian Sports CommissionFull list of South Coast recipients:Aleah Farrugia - Australian Gymnastics ChampionshipsCoby Sheppeard - 2025 School Sport Australia Bowls ChampionshipAirlie Stevens - Australian Junior Athletics ChampionshipOskar Driscoll - 2025 School Sport Australia 13–19 Years Swimming ChampionshipAlisha Britta Mustapic - Australian Track and Field ChampionshipsMonty Lloyd Jones - School Sport Australia National Triathlon ChampionshipChristian Ireland - Asia Pacific Sprint Cup 2025 (Canoeing)Miller Siasat - Australian Track and Field ChampionshipsGinger Siasat - Australian Schools and Juniors Rugby ChampionshipsLily Todd - 2025 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World ChampionshipsJack Nunn - American Motorcycling Association National Motocross ChampionshipCameron Donaldson (Match Official) - School Sport Australia Basketball Championship

Nearly 500 competitors took part in the second Kiama Triathlon for 2025 over the weekend, with many entrants using the event as a final warm-up for the World Championships in Wollongong later this month.Beginning and ending at the Minnamurra River, the Elite Energy Kiama Triathlon is quickly becoming one of the most loved events on the triathlon calendar.“It was a really great day. We had beautiful racing conditions, weather-wise. We had really great feedback and responses, and we're really happy with how the event went - and our athletes are too,” said Elite Energy marketing specialist Shinead Roulstone.“It’s just a great location, and we know that our athletes love racing in Kiama, so having two in one year just made sense.”The big winners of the day were James Davy and Kaylen Payer, who won the male and female standard race events respectively. Davy finished the 1.5km swim, 38km bike and 10km run in a time of 01:58:05, while Payer finished in 02:14:27.Kyle Mason (male) and Sophie Lampe (female) won the sprint races, while Glenn Norris (male) and Morgan Pike (female) took out the aquabike events.Photo: Brian ScottAlthough many local athletes took part, a significant number of competitors travelled from across Australia and even internationally, using the race as a tune-up for the World Championships.“All the athletes did spectacularly well,” said Roulstone. “And a lot of them were using the weekend’s event as a practice race for the World Champs happening from 15 to 19 October in Wollongong.”The event marked the third Kiama Triathlon in the space of two years, following a decade-long break, and Roulstone was thrilled to see the event continue to grow.“It was really successful for us and we're really happy to have been able to bring the athletes together again at such a beautiful location. We just love going there,” she said.“We're just really grateful for the support of the community, the council, our volunteers and of course our athletes - it’s all those people who make the events so popular and successful.”The 2025 World Triathlon Championships will take place in Wollongong from 15-19 October. Closer to home, the Huskisson Marathon and Triathlon is set for 1-2 November.

Their new import produced a stunning performance but the Illawarra Hawks’ NBL title defence got off to a shaky start on Saturday night with a 91-86 loss to Tasmania JackJumpers at WIN Entertainment Centre.Three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee recorded an eye-catching first appearance for the Hawks after the club raised just their second championship banner to the rafters following last season’s thrilling grand final victory over Melbourne United.McGee, who played 983 games in the NBA, is in the veteran stage of his career but the 37-year-old centre was easily Illawarra’s top contributor.He chalked up 32 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks while hitting 15 of his 20 field goal attempts.Standing at seven-feet tall with nearly two decades of professional experience, McGee boasts a decorated resume featuring championships with the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018) and Los Angeles Lakers (2020), as well as a gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Hawks coach Justin Tatum said his team had let down the fans who turned out en masse for the season opener."The effort definitely wasn't where I wanted it to be and we could have given a better effort on shutting down some of those offensive rebounds that they got," said Tatum."I felt that crowd deserved a better effort from us to find a way to get a win on banner drop tonight."Hawks guard Tyler Harvey backed up McGee with 19 points and six rebounds while veteran forward Todd Blanchfield chipped in with 12.Scores were tied at 21-21 after the first quarter before Tassie took a 49-45 lead into half-time.The JackJimpers led by 11 after a 20-16 run in the third quarter and even though the Hawks went on an 11-0 tear early in the final term, the visitors kept their noses in front down the stretch.Majok Deng tallied 14 points, four rebounds and two blocks with Bryce Hamilton (21 points), Tyger Campbell (17 points, four rebounds and four assists), and Josh Bannan (11 points and seven rebounds) rounding out a superb team performance.The Hawks face a tough test to get their first win of the season when they head west to take on the Wildcats in Perth on Thursday night before hauling themselves to Auckland for a Wednesday night clash with the New Zealand Breakers.They have racked up plenty of travel recently after playing at the FIBA Intercontinental Cup in Singapore where they finished fifth after ending the tournament with a 93-69 win over Japan’s Utsunomiya BrexIllawarra are back at the WIN Entertainment Centre next Saturday (11 October) when they host the Brisbane Bullets.

KIAMA TRIATHLON - GROUP 5