KIAMA JUNIOR KNIGHTSUNDER 11 RED VS UNDER 11 BLACK

GERRINGONG JUNIOR LIONSUNDER 16-1 BT

UNDER 16-1 BTKIANA KNIGHTS 24 d GERRINGONG LIONS 14

Gerringong forward Hamish Stewart will miss just his second NRL match this year since he was handed his debut back in the opening round when the Dragons travel to Canberra on Saturday.Stewart suffered a category-one concussion when he came off second best while trying to make a tackle in last Saturday's 34-20 win over Parramatta at WIN Stadium.His absence is one of several changes St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has been forced to make for the trip to face the in-form Raiders at GIO Stadium in Round 18.The Green Machine are at the top of the NRL ladder with a 13-3 record after they knocked off the Knights 22-18 in Newcastle last Friday night.After beating the Eels despite a heavy injury toll, the Dragons have remained in the race for the playoffs with a 6-8 record to sit in 11th place.Young forward Toby Couchman (shoulder), wingers Nathan Lawson (shoulder) and Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring), second-rower Luciano Leilua (thigh) and Valentine Homes (State of Origin duty) are out from the team named last week.Tyrell Sloan and Sione Finau have been recalled to be the new wing duo with Corey Allan shifting in to centre. Veteran forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner has been elevated to start in the second row while Hame Sele, Loko Pasifiki Tonga and Michael Molo - in his first NRL appearance of 2025 - are the new names on the bench. Flanagan has relegated young forward Viliami Fifita drops to the reserves.

June 30 marks the end of the player transfer window for the Group 7 South Coast Rugby League competition.All squads are now locked in - no more player movements between clubs for the rest of the season.The date also signals the halfway point of the season, with 11 rounds completed and roughly 11 weeks remaining until the 2025 premiers are crowned.The top five has shifted regularly throughout the year, with first place changing hands yet again after this weekend’s results. It’s shaping up to be one of the tightest seasons in recent memory, and the run home will be crucial for several clubs.1st – Shellharbour Sharks (16 pts)6 wins, 2 losses, 2 byesRunners-up to Gerringong in 2023 and 2024, the Sharks are still chasing revenge - but haven’t had the chance yet, with their Round 7 match against Gerringong washed out. They’ve now won three in a row and are looking strong.Shellharbour in their 12-0 loss against Kiama. Photo: @SticksPix_Their two losses came early: a 12–0 defeat in a rain-affected clash against Kiama (Round 3) and a narrow 12–8 loss to the Stingrays (Round 5). Importantly, they’re yet to beat another current top-four side, making this weekend’s clash against Kiama a crucial test.Halfback Braxton Wallace has been a standout and sits second in the Mick Cronin Medal standings. He, along with co-captain Jayden Morgan, will be key to pushing for their first title since 2018.2nd – Stingrays of Shellharbour (14 pts)7 wins, 3 losses, 0 byesTrey Barlow has been a great late addition to the Stingrays squad. Photo: @SticksPix_The Stingrays led the ladder for most of 2025 but slipped to second after a surprise 21-4 loss to Milton-Ulladulla last round. Despite that setback, they’ve claimed wins over top teams including Gerringong, Shellharbour and Kiama.With the most wins of any team, they’ve yet to have a bye - so fresh legs later in the season may help. Consistency will be the key to staying in the hunt.Second-rower Tom Warner, lock Trey Barlow, and half Hamish McLaurin are all in the top 10 of the Mick Cronin Medal race.3rd – Kiama Knights (14 pts)6 wins, 2 losses, 1 bye, 1 postponedKiama have been the underdog story of the season after finishing eighth in 2024 with just three wins. Their only losses came in Round 2 to Nowra-Bomaderry and in Round 9 to the Stingrays.A statement win over the current ladder leaders, the Shellharbour Sharks, earlier this season has them confident heading into their rematch this weekend.Fullback Brad Killmore and second-rower Tom Angel have led the way. Killmore said: “Looking to the back end of the year, I think staying healthy and fit is our biggest focus. Shellharbour this weekend will be another good test to see where we are.”Kiama have only lost one game at home this season. Photo: @SticksPix_4th – Gerringong Lions (12 pts)5 wins, 4 losses, 1 byeThe premiers had a slow start, with losses to Jamberoo, Kiama, Albion Park, and the Stingrays. But a strong turnaround has seen them notch three straight wins and climb back into contention.With a young core - and a large group of their potential players either playing in the NRL or knocking on the door - they’re building nicely. Fullback Cooper Harrison has been a consistent standout.Captain Nathan Ford said: “With a mix of experience and youth, it was always going to take time, but we’re heading in the right direction. Our main goal is to make the final - and ideally the top three - to give ourselves a second chance come semis.”Gerringong are coming together at the right time of the season. Photo: @SticksPix_5th – Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles (12 pts)4 wins, 4 losses, 2 byesAfter a surprise finals run in 2024, the Eagles have had a mixed campaign in 2025. Big wins over the Stingrays, Gerringong, and Jamberoo show their potential, but losses to lower-ranked teams like Berry and Milton-Ulladulla have hurt.Halfback Leroy Murray has been a shining light, but consistency will be their focus if they want to push deeper this year.6th – Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs (10 pts)4 wins, 5 losses, 1 byeMilton-Ulladulla are proving tough to beat at home - losing only once there all season. They shocked the competition with a dominant win over the Stingrays last week, but fell to Nowra-Bomaderry the week before.Injuries and away form are their biggest concerns, but if they can stay healthy and replicate that home performance, they could force their way into the top five. Hooker Riley Wooden has been a standout performer.7th – Jamberoo Superoos (8 pts)3 wins, 6 losses, 1 byeJamberoo started well with wins over Gerringong, Nowra and the Stingrays, but a brutal injury toll - currently missing around eight key players - has seen them drop their last four games.Coach Jono Dallas said: “We still need to get a run of games without losing players. Another two from the weekend's game will be unavailable next week.“It’s not necessarily about the quality of players - it’s just extremely difficult to improve when you’re changing the team every week.”Jamberoo in Round 1 of this season, due to injuries their team looks a lot different now. Photo: @SticksPix_8th – Nowra-Bomaderry Jets (6 pts)2 wins, 7 losses, 1 byeDespite sitting near the bottom, Nowra have shown they can compete - beating top-three side Kiama and also defeating Milton. Prop Zac Kershaw leads the Mick Cronin Medal tally.With upcoming matches against Jamberoo and Berry, they’ll hope to claw their way back into finals contention.Nowra-Bomaderry need to win their next two games to stay in finals contention. Photo: @SticksPix_9th – Berry Magpies (6 pts)2 wins, 6 losses, 1 bye, 1 postponedBerry are in a similar position to Nowra and must start banking wins fast. They’ve claimed solid victories over Nowra and Albion Park, proving they’re capable when at their best.Finals kick off on 6 September, with just two months left to lock in a top-five spot.With three local teams - Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo - in the mix, there’s plenty for South Coast footy fans to cheer for in the run home.

KIAMA MEN'S BASKETBALLGRAND FINALROBBO DONUT VAN HEAT 49 d BRAKERS 38

KIAMA WOMEN'S BASKETBALLGRAND FINALTIMMS ROOFING 36 d DOLPHINS 24

Kiama Power’s Premier Division men’s team is just one win outside the top four on the AFL South Coast ladder at the midway point of the season - their strongest position in years.Despite three consecutive losses, early-season victories and two byes have kept them within reach of a finals berth. Power committee member Anthony Grady says the recent defeats haven’t been without their positives.“The boys played the two best teams in the competition in the last two weeks,” said Grady. “We played Northern Districts at home two weeks ago, which was a pretty close game. In the fourth quarter, there was only a point in it before they pulled away in the final minutes with a couple of late goals.”This trend has become familiar for Kiama, who’ve struggled to maintain momentum across the full 80 minutes. In April, they led competition leaders Figtree at half-time before falling by just seven points. Against Wollongong in Round 7, they trailed by four at the half but ended up losing by 34.Kiama Power have lost their last three games, but will be looking to turn that around in the second half of the season. Photo: Maddi Aitkin“There are still positive signs,” Grady said. “But now it’s more about what’s going on between the ears. The skills are there - it’s about applying that mental toughness consistently across all four quarters.”He believes a lack of confidence might be undermining the side's ability to close out games.“Self-belief is probably the big thing. A lot of teams we've played - especially those who’ve beaten us in recent seasons - still carry that confidence when they face us. We need to overcome that and sustain belief throughout the match.”Meanwhile, the Kiama Power Women’s Premier Division side currently sits inside the top four, despite losing their last four games.“We’ve had Maddie Edwards join the club, and we’re starting to get players back on the field,” Grady said. “Last weekend was probably our strongest lineup in a month.”He acknowledges there's still work to do to close the gap on the top three sides.Kiama Power's Olivia Falconer competes for a mark. Photo: Bob Willetts“The girls know what they need to improve on in the second half of the season - and the results reflect that. But I’ve got a lot of confidence in them."They’ve definitely shown they’re a top-four team.”This weekend, the Women’s team faces the Bomaderry Tigers away, while the Men’s side hosts the Wollongong Bulldogs at home on Saturday, July 5.

Kiama are sitting comfortably atop the Illawarra District Rugby Union ladder with six wins and just one loss - and they'll be aiming to avenge that lone defeat when they face Campbelltown again on 12 July.After a week off, and another bye this weekend, the team finds itself in a similar situation to Round 1 - when they last met Campbelltown and suffered their only loss of the season, going down 15–14 away from home. “That was our very first game for first grade. We had two weeks off beforehand with the bye and a rest week, and then went straight into playing one of the competition's top teams - Campbelltown,” said Kiama forward Dante Patrick.Now, with six straight wins under their belt, Kiama will be looking to make a statement at home.“We’ve had our rest and we’ll approach this week the same,” Patrick said. “But come Thursday, I think we’ll be having a full reserve grade versus first grade game. We're looking to get a referee in too, just to sharpen things up. We need those reps. It’s about keeping the bodies warm heading into a big match.”The clash also marks the start of the second half of the season, and Patrick says the squad has been strategic in how they build and evolve their play.“We set up a game plan to get us through the first half of the season, and we’ve probably got two more plans in our back pocket that we haven’t used yet,” he said. “Now that we’ve nailed down the first one, it’s time to roll out the others.“These new strategies are to keep things fresh and avoid complacency. Even though what we’ve been doing has worked so far, smart teams like Camden, Shoalhaven and Campbelltown will be doing their homework on us. We don’t want to be predictable.”Kiama’s reserve grade team is also hitting form, claiming their third consecutive win over the weekend and climbing to third on the IDRU reserve grade ladder.“It means a lot to have both sides playing so well. It shows the work we’re putting in is paying off. Hopefully, the reserves will join us at the top soon,” Patrick added.With both teams enjoying the week off, they'll be aiming for another double victory day when they host Campbelltown at home on 12 July.

With the 1985 premiership-winning side watching on in celebration of their 40th anniversary, the Knights had extra motivation to notch back-to-back wins at Kiama Showground on Saturday.KIama got off to a flying start in Round 11 of the Group 7 competition against the Nowra-Bomaderry Jets, scoring in the fourth minute thanks to a slick backline move finished off by winger Cade Hotham.Nowra responded with two quick tries, but Kiama levelled the scores in the 14th minute through centre Max Jennings.Play then settled into a grind, with both sides absorbing pressure and trading sets. Kiama broke the deadlock when Kye Andrews split the defence to regain the lead.Shortly before half-time, a pin-point cut-out pass from fullback Brad Killmore found Callan Thistlethwaite on the edge, extending Kiama’s lead. The Knights went into the break up 22-12.But Nowra weren’t done. Three minutes into the second half, they capitalised on a high bomb that was allowed to bounce, scoring to close the gap.Kiama’s defence, however, stood strong against a wave of Nowra momentum. In the 63rd minute, Killmore crossed the line to push the lead further out.From there, the Knights turned on the style, scoring two late tries - both set up by well-placed kicks - to seal a convincing win in front of their home crowd and the club’s past legends.“It was a huge day with the 1985 premiership-winning team coming to watch us. We needed the two points to keep building toward the finals, but also to make those old boys proud,” said Killmore.The 1985 premiership team. Photo: Kiama Knights“The game was a bit scrappy and stop-start for the most part, but off the back of our forwards we looked good when we found rhythm.”Kiama will aim to keep their winning streak alive next week against last year’s runners-up, the Shellharbour Sharks.Meanwhile, at Michael Cronin Oval, Gerringong also looked to extend their winning run when they hosted the struggling Jamberoo Superoos.It was all Gerringong in the first half, racing to a 16-0 lead with three sharp tries: a well-timed leap from winger James Kunkler, a powerful barge-over from hooker Nathan Ford, and a strong angled run from second-rower Jack Quine.Jamberoo avoided a scoreless first half with a penalty goal just before the break, with Gerringong ahead 16-2.Needing a big start to the second half, Jamberoo responded through powerhouse forward James Gilmore, who crashed over in the 45th minute. Then a clever show-and-go from five-eighth Mark Asquith saw them pull within two points at 16–14.Jamberoo are on a three-game losing streak. Photo: @SticksPix_But Gerringong quickly regained control, answering back with a try to Bailey Marks just minutes later, and then another in the 75th minute via Liam Holland.Jamberoo added a late consolation - an impressive length-of-the-field effort finished by Riley Plekan - but the final score read 26-18 in Gerringong’s favour.“It was good to keep the winning streak going at home against Jamberoo, who are always a tough side,” said Lions captain Nathan Ford. “It was an important win, especially with them sitting close to us on the ladder.“Great to have a big crowd too. It lifts the team. We’re starting to play the footy we knew we were capable of. "With a mix of experience and youth, it was always going to take time - but we’re heading in the right direction.”Gerringong will have the bye this week, while Jamberoo travel south to face Nowra-Bomaderry.

It has been great to see recent articles about the updating of facilities at Gerry Emery Oval, a wonderful sporting complex used by many groups of people around the Gerringong district.But who exactly was this Gerry Emery?Well, he was actually Edgar Emery and “Gerry” was a nickname he picked up in primary school.Edgar was born on the North Coast on the 7 January, 1911. He moved with his family to the Riverleigh dairy farm at Gerroa when he was seven. He farmed there for many years with his brother Ivor until Ivor went to Sydney. He sold the property in the 1950s and moved to Werri Beach. He worked in various jobs such as sawmilling, bridge building and earth moving. He worked on the Talawa Dam in Kangaroo Valley. Edgar and the Gerringong team 1935. He is the wicketkeeper and his future wife is just behind him. Photo: The Emery CollectionAs well as Ivor, his other siblings were Olive, Clifford, Clive, Godfrey and Aubury.He married Phyllis Chatto, who just happened to be the scorer for the Gerringong Cricket Club, a job she shared with Olive. Edgar and Phyliss had two children Diana and John.He had a passion for cricket. Most of his brothers played cricket as did his father and son. Every summer, most of the young men and women picked up the bat and ball and played on various grounds around the district. In fact, for a time Gerringong had its own competition consisting of five teams.And he was very good at it too. He was tagged the “Bradman of the South Coast”. He was an outstanding opening batter who hit the ball tremendously hard, playing first grade at 12 and representative cricket at 15. In a career that spanned 48 years he compiled 61 centuries, including a memorable 314 against Shellharbour. In another game Gerringong scored 166 and Edgar contributed 141 to the total.He did get a chance to try grade cricket in Sydney in 1941 with Balmain. However, travel difficulties and dairy farm commitments conspired to squash that dream, a common problem for great country sportspeople in those days.In the field he was a competent wicketkeeper and stood up close to the stumps, even to fast bowlers. Later he learnt to spin the ball effectively and became a great spin bowler. In the 1946-47 season he captured no less than 54 wickets. He was a selector for the South Coast and Illawarra districts for 25 years and was made a life member of the South Coast District Cricket Association and the Gerringong Cricket Club.Edgar at bat in the very first match at the ground. Photo: The Emery CollectionEdgar was a keen tennis player and later a bowls player, winning competitions at the Berry Bowling Club.In recognition of Edgar’s cricket feats, Kiama Council named the reserve after him.But if Edgar was here now, he would not want this article to be just about him. Cricket is a team sport and Gerringong Cricket Club has produced so many outstanding players over its history since 1863, and many of them were his teammates and opponents.In the 1937-38 season in the Gerringong and District Cricket Association, a final was played between Foxground and Gerringong at what is now Michael Cronin Oval. Foxground won despite a fine innings from Edgar of 169.Sixty years later the surviving members of that game gathered to remember those wonderful times. They were all 80-plus years old and tall tales were told about that season as if it was the summer just gone. Edgar was just one of a group that included Alf Bonser, Jack and Tom Thompson, Clive Emery, Bede Devery and Val and Athol Noble, as well as the official scorer Olive McGill. Jack said he could not believe that 60 years had passed since that day.Gerry Emery Oval is not just, in my opinion, honouring one man but all the great Gerringong cricketers who played with or against him.In 1977 his brother Ivor was asked by the Kiama Independent to name the players he particularly remembered from those times. It is in no way meant to be a complete list. Many of these names are lost to time. All gave sterling service to Gerringong on the cricket field and life in general. None should be forgotten.Mervyn Walker, Vic Martin, Joe, Cecil and Eric Langton, Jack Deitz, Harold Ross, Jack Fields, Clyde and Aub Cant, ‘Tinyo” Miller, S.G. Miller, Keith Boxsell, Lin Miller, Val and Athol Noble, Jack, Herb and Tom Thompson, Bede Devery, Bruce Sharpe, Bede English, Ray Kennedy, Neville Nelson, Lloyd Sharpe, Alex Trevallion, Alan Crapp and Edgar, Clive and Ivor Emery. What a team you could make from these names.

It has been great to see recent articles about the updating of facilities at Gerry Emery Oval, a wonderful sporting complex used by many groups of people around the Gerringong district.But who exactly was this Gerry Emery?Well, he was actually Edgar Emery and “Gerry” was a nickname he picked up in primary school.Edgar was born on the North Coast on the 7 January, 1911. He moved with his family to the Riverleigh dairy farm at Gerroa when he was seven. He farmed there for many years with his brother Ivor until Ivor went to Sydney. He sold the property in the 1950s and moved to Werri Beach. He worked in various jobs such as sawmilling, bridge building and earth moving. He worked on the Talawa Dam in Kangaroo Valley. Edgar and the Gerringong team 1935. He is the wicketkeeper and his future wife is just behind him. Photo: The Emery CollectionAs well as Ivor, his other siblings were Olive, Clifford, Clive, Godfrey and Aubury.He married Phyllis Chatto, who just happened to be the scorer for the Gerringong Cricket Club, a job she shared with Olive. Edgar and Phyliss had two children Diana and John.He had a passion for cricket. Most of his brothers played cricket as did his father and son. Every summer, most of the young men and women picked up the bat and ball and played on various grounds around the district. In fact, for a time Gerringong had its own competition consisting of five teams.And he was very good at it too. He was tagged the “Bradman of the South Coast”. He was an outstanding opening batter who hit the ball tremendously hard, playing first grade at 12 and representative cricket at 15. In a career that spanned 48 years he compiled 61 centuries, including a memorable 314 against Shellharbour. In another game Gerringong scored 166 and Edgar contributed 141 to the total.He did get a chance to try grade cricket in Sydney in 1941 with Balmain. However, travel difficulties and dairy farm commitments conspired to squash that dream, a common problem for great country sportspeople in those days.In the field he was a competent wicketkeeper and stood up close to the stumps, even to fast bowlers. Later he learnt to spin the ball effectively and became a great spin bowler. In the 1946-47 season he captured no less than 54 wickets. He was a selector for the South Coast and Illawarra districts for 25 years and was made a life member of the South Coast District Cricket Association and the Gerringong Cricket Club.Edgar at bat in the very first match at the ground. Photo: The Emery CollectionEdgar was a keen tennis player and later a bowls player, winning competitions at the Berry Bowling Club.In recognition of Edgar’s cricket feats, Kiama Council named the reserve after him.But if Edgar was here now, he would not want this article to be just about him. Cricket is a team sport and Gerringong Cricket Club has produced so many outstanding players over its history since 1863, and many of them were his teammates and opponents.In the 1937-38 season in the Gerringong and District Cricket Association, a final was played between Foxground and Gerringong at what is now Michael Cronin Oval. Foxground won despite a fine innings from Edgar of 169.Sixty years later the surviving members of that game gathered to remember those wonderful times. They were all 80-plus years old and tall tales were told about that season as if it was the summer just gone. Edgar was just one of a group that included Alf Bonser, Jack and Tom Thompson, Clive Emery, Bede Devery and Val and Athol Noble, as well as the official scorer Olive McGill. Jack said he could not believe that 60 years had passed since that day.Gerry Emery Oval is not just, in my opinion, honouring one man but all the great Gerringong cricketers who played with or against him.In 1977 his brother Ivor was asked by the Kiama Independent to name the players he particularly remembered from those times. It is in no way meant to be a complete list. Many of these names are lost to time. All gave sterling service to Gerringong on the cricket field and life in general. None should be forgotten.Mervyn Walker, Vic Martin, Joe, Cecil and Eric Langton, Jack Deitz, Harold Ross, Jack Fields, Clyde and Aub Cant, ‘Tinyo” Miller, S.G. Miller, Keith Boxsell, Lin Miller, Val and Athol Noble, Jack, Herb and Tom Thompson, Bede Devery, Bruce Sharpe, Bede English, Ray Kennedy, Neville Nelson, Lloyd Sharpe, Alex Trevallion, Alan Crapp and Edgar, Clive and Ivor Emery. What a team you could make from these names.

Gerringong forward Hamish Stewart was one of several Dragons who were bruised and battered in their courageous 34-20 win over Parramatta in Wollongong on Saturday night.Stewart was concussed when he tried to make a big tackle from a kick restart but he reeled away, heavily dazed by the impact.He was taken from the field straight away and ruled to have suffered a category-one concussion which means he will have to sit out next week's trip to Canberra.The Dragons were the walking wounded at WIN Stadium with Christian Tuipulotu pulling out in the warm-up, second-rower Luciano Leilua straining a thigh muscle, Toby Couchman dislocating his shoulder and bench forward Viliame Fifita picking up a knee injury on top of Stewart's head knock.Co-captain Damien Cook played on through an ankle injury, Maroons centre Valentine Holmes had a corked thigh and winger Nathan Lawson could barely move his arm in the final 15 minutes but remained on the field.They started the match like a house on fire to lead 26-4 at half-time.But as their injuries mounted, Parra stormed back into the game and nearly stole the two competition points but had a crucial try disallowed when winger Josh Addo-Carr was ruled to have stepped on the sideline.The Dragons celebrate a try to Valentine Holmes. Photo: The Bugle"It could have gone either way but the spirit and courage got us home," Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said.Stewart had made a solid impact after coming on off the bench. He pulled off 17 tackles and made five hit-ups in his 27-minute stint to continue his impressive rookie season in the NRL.

Kiama Knights junior Maria Paseka is aiming to cement her place in the starting side for the St George Illawarra Dragons when the 2025 NRLW season kicks off next week.The 19-year-old winger was officially added to the Dragons' top-24 squad last August, making her debut at the conclusion of their season. Now, she’s looking to make a bigger impact in 2025.Paseka's eyes lit up when she recalled the moment she learned she’d be joining the squad.“I was literally lying in bed one evening when I got a call from Sowie [2024 coach Jamie Soward] saying I was going to be part of the top 24 and could potentially make my debut,” Paseka said.“And literally the next weekend, I made my debut. It all happened really fast. There were a lot of emotions that week.”Now her goal is to solidify her place in the top team - but just as importantly, to stay true to herself.Maria will be hoping to cement her spot in the Dragons squad in 2025. Photo: St George Illawarra Dragons“I’ve probably got to put on a few kilos,” she said. “But mainly, I just want to keep being the person I am today. "Nathan Cross [current Dragons coach] often says you can be the best player on the field, but if your character off the field isn’t there, you won’t get far.“So as long as my character’s strong both on and off the field, I think I’ll go a long way in footy. That’s my goal.”Paseka began her sporting career in rugby union, playing alongside her cousin in a boys' team. She later made the switch to rugby league, joining the Kiama Knights under-14s when girls' tackle was first introduced to the competition.“I first started playing in Kiama when they brought in girls' tackle,” she said. “We ended up winning the final that year with our coach Cindy Brookfield.”She later moved to Collegians for under-18s, due to limited player numbers at Kiama.“I wanted to keep playing league, but we didn’t have enough girls coming through at Kiama,” she said.Switching from union to league came fairly naturally, but there were some adjustments.“Union gave me a solid base, and I was used to contact, but there were little things I had to unlearn,” she said. “In my first game, I accidentally put the ball back instead of playing it properly,” she laughs.Most recently, Paseka represented NSW in the Under-19s Women’s State of Origin, scoring a try in their 26–10 victory.The Dragons will open their 2025 campaign against the Raiders at GIO Stadium in Canberra next Saturday (5 July), and if selected, Paseka says she’s ready.“I’ve really gotten to know the girls on a different level this year,” she said. “A big focus at training has been team connection, because last year that was something we lacked.“That’s been one of Crossy’s goals - to build stronger bonds across the squad. I’ve seen a whole new side of the girls, and now I feel really comfortable, especially under the leadership of the older, more experienced players.”The Dragons NRLW side will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2024 season, where they finished second last on the ladder. With fresh energy and emerging talent like Paseka in their ranks, the club is on track for a much more competitive 2025 campaign.

The ninth annual Kiama Coastal Classic attracted close to 1,000 participants across four race distances last weekend.The most popular event of the day was the 21km race, which featured around 500 runners and ended in a dramatic finish in the men's division.“The guy who came second in the 21km was just three seconds behind,” said Seb Gallery, marketing manager at Elite Energy Events.“It was amazingly close racing - especially considering it’s not a flat course. Those times are impressive even on a flat route, let alone one that covers varied terrain.”Steven Horrocks claimed first place in the men's division with a time of 01:29:09, closely followed by James Naldrett at 01:29:12. In the women’s division, Martine Schlosser took the win with a time of 01:44:30.Gallery noted the strong family turnout for the shorter events, highlighting the inclusive atmosphere of the day.Finishing with a beautiful ocean view at Kiama Coastal Classic. Photo: The Bugle“It was great to see so many families getting involved,” he said. “You had kids running the 2km event, while parents or siblings took on the longer distances.”Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the Kiama Coastal Classic. Gallery, who was part of Elite Energy when the event first launched, says he’s proud of how much it has grown.“We’re still producing a great event, and we’ve seen people return year after year,” he said. “Some participants have completed all nine Kiama Coastal Classics - which is a real feather in our cap. That’s what we’re about: creating a fun and memorable experience for everyone.”While Gallery was tight-lipped about the details for 2026, he hinted at a special celebration to mark the milestone.“There’ll be birthday celebrations for the 10th year, but details will be released in due course,” he said. “There’ll definitely be some kind of surprise for the 10th anniversary.”Full list of winners:21km raceMale: Steven HorrocksFemale: Martine Schlosser12km raceMale: Charley GibsonFemale: Elisha Bell5km raceMale: Sam HaldaneFemale: Amy Abbey2km fun runMale: Memphis MenchacaFemale: Alessia Spasevski

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has given his team a much-needed shake-up leading into Saturday’s Wollongong showdown with Parramatta.The Dragons’ playoff hopes are slipping away after they have lost five of their past seven matches to sit in 11th spot on the NRL ladder.After a week off for their third and final bye of the season, Flanagan has overhauled his line-up for the WIN Stadium stoush with the Eels.Maroons centre Valentine Holmes is back in the starting side after a strong performance in last week’s State of Origin upset win over NSW in Perth with rookie Nick Tsougranis making way.Wingers Christian Tuipulotu and Corey Allan are also back in the backline after overcoming hamstring injuries.Tyrell Sloan has not been selected amid reports he will be granted a mid-season release to join another club despite having 18 months left on his contract. The Dragons’ other winger from their 30-18 last-start loss to traditional rivals Cronulla was Nathan Lawson, who has been dropped to the reserves.Former Queensland second-rower Jaydn Su’A will make his comeback from a month out with an ankle problem, sending Luciano Leilua to the interchange.Gerringong forward Hamish Stewart has retained his place on the bench as he looks to continue his impressive first season at NRL level.The match will hold extra significance for St George Illawarra co-captain Clint Gutherson who will be taking on his former team for the second time since Parramatta controversially told him to look elsewhere in the off-season. The Eels triumphed 23-22 when they first met this season in Round 5 with former Dragons star Zac Lomax booting the winning field goal.Parramatta have moved off the bottom of the ladder by beating Gold Coast 36-20 on Sunday but if the Dragons want to have any chance of sneaking into the finals, they need to get revenge on the Eels for their nail-biting loss earlier in the season.

The Kiama Junior Knights will celebrate their 70th anniversary next month, marking seven decades of developing young talent and fostering a love of rugby league across the region.Originally known as the Red Devils, the club was founded in 1955 and has since grown into one of the largest and most respected junior rugby league clubs in NSW.Today, the club boasts over 480 registered players, including more than 200 girls participating in League Tag or tackle - cementing its reputation as a leader in participation, inclusivity, and player development.“Seventy years is a huge milestone,” said club president Lachlan Payne. “This club has always been about more than just rugby league - it's about mateship, community, and creating a positive environment for young people to grow and thrive.”To mark the occasion, the Kiama Junior Knights will host a 70th Anniversary Celebration at the Kiama Leagues Club on Saturday, 19 July. The evening will bring together past and present players, coaches, volunteers, life members, families and supporters for a night of memories, recognition and reunion.A highlight of the night will be a special reunion of the 2005 Under 15-2s premiership-winning team, which included former NRL player Mitch Rein.Rein is one of many Junior Knights who have progressed to the professional level over the years, alongside notable names such as Shaun Timmins, Jonathan Britten, and Brett and Josh Morris.“We’re proud of our past, excited for the future, and incredibly grateful to the generations who have built this club from the ground up,” said Payne.The Kiama Junior Knights 15-2s 2005 Premiers who will celebrate their 20th anniversary this year. Source: Kristie Laird“We warmly invite anyone who has been part of our journey to join us - it’s going to be a very special night.”Event DetailsDate: Saturday 19 July 2025Time and venue: Kiama Leagues ClubTickets: $50 per personBookings: Click here to book

Gerringong Golf Club, joined by local MP Fiona Phillips, officially opened its new fuel storage tanks and cart wash bay last Wednesday.Partially funded by a $17,500 grant from the Labor Government’s Stronger Communities Program, the project marks the first stage of the club’s long-term plans for clubhouse redevelopment.The new upgrades include a fuel bay designed with safety and environmental impact in mind. It features a sump to catch fuel spills, addressing past inefficiencies.“The staff used to go to the local service station to fill up small cans,” said Gerringong Golf Club president Geoff Manning. “They’d bring them back and then air-pour the fuel, which would take half a day - and it wasn’t environmentally friendly.”The second major improvement is a covered cart wash bay that allows staff to clean golf carts safely while collecting and recycling the wastewater for irrigation on the course.“As you move forward, these are the types of improvements you need to make,” said vice-president Tony Quinn. The upgrades were just part one of a big plan for the upgrade of the Gerringong Golf Club.“We’ve gone from having four golf carts to now managing 38. You can’t keep using the old facilities and expect to keep up. "Plus, regulations have changed - and we want to stay ahead of the curve.”The club acknowledged the support of Kiama Council and MP Fiona Phillips in bringing the project to life.“Kiama Council was actually caught off guard when we submitted our application,” said Quinn. “They’d never seen a club be so well-prepared - they didn’t know how to treat it!”Attending the launch, Phillips expressed her pride in supporting a project that delivers environmental and community benefits.“These upgrades will improve safety for members, visitors, and staff - and the water recycling system will help keep the course in top condition,” she said.Welcoming around 18,000 visitors each year, Gerringong Golf Club is one of the few courses in Australia offering ocean views from every hole.Geoff Manning, Fiona Phillips and Tony Quinn in the new Gerringong Golf Club fuel station.“This stunning course, in the most sublime location overlooking the ocean, is a huge attraction for visiting golfers who support our local economy and jobs year-round,” said Phillips.Gerringong Golf Club was one of 17 community organisations in Gilmore to share in $134,500 of funding through Round 8 of the Stronger Communities Program.The club hopes this is just the beginning, with plans underway for a full clubhouse redevelopment in future stages.

The third annual South Coast Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness Cup was held last Thursday with Shoalhaven High School taking out the boys’ competition and Ulladulla High School claiming the girls’ title.Held at the Bomaderry Sporting Complex, the event aims to educate and empower young people to take a stand against domestic and family violence - all while enjoying a day of rugby league.The tournament brought together the South Coast Police District, Group 7 Rugby League, NSW Rugby League, the NRL and more than 200 students from Years 9 to 11 across the Shoalhaven.“Today was the brainchild of some of our really good people who wanted to partner with rugby league to tackle the rise in family and domestic violence - by bringing young people on that journey with us,” said South Coast Police District Commander Superintendent Darren Brand.“I’m really proud. It’s a fantastic event, now in its third year, and we’ve welcomed an additional school this year, bringing the total to six. It’s really starting to grow - and it’s about much more than just footy."In the lead-up to the Gala Day, South Coast police officers visited participating schools to educate students on key issues such as respect, healthy relationships, and how to seek help if they or someone they know is experiencing domestic or family violence.(From left) Darren Brand with Emma Wood and Ashton Sims.Shoalhaven-based government and community organisations were also on hand at the event, providing information and support to students and families about available services aimed at breaking the cycle of violence.“All the information stands are designed to be engaging for the kids. It’s about raising awareness - which leads to empowerment. And with empowerment comes choices. "When young people know their options, they’re more likely to reach out for help when they need it,” said Emma Wood from South Coast and Country Community Law.“This event works because the kids are involved, they’re having fun, and that’s the best way for them to connect with services and take in important information."To ensure students actively engaged with the support services, Group 7 South Coast Rugby League football operations manager Ashton Sims revealed that the match draw was deliberately structured.“There’s always a school that’s scheduled to rotate through the service areas. "They speak with police at the police van, take part in discussions, and collect some form of educational resource,” said Sims.“Today isn’t just about rugby league - we’re using the game as a platform to deliver domestic violence prevention messages and help shape a safer future.”Dylan McFadden warming up before a game.Services used interactive tools to connect with students, including educational games like the red flag/green flag activity that Ulladulla High School student Dylan McFadden participated in.“At these stalls, they actually explain things in more detail than we usually get in school. "The way they keep us interested really works. At one of the stands, they played a game where you raise a red or green flag depending on whether a sentence they say is a warning sign or a healthy behaviour,” McFadden said.The six local high schools taking part include Nowra, Vincentia, Shoalhaven, Bomaderry, Ulladulla, and St John the Evangelist Catholic High Schools - and organisers are hopeful this number will only grow in years to come.