Mid North Sport

Today’s game day in Old Bar was played for a shield of a different kind. The Old Bar Barbarians and the Taree Wildcats putting together an event in honour of former player Bryson Challacombe.  

There was fierce competition and strong mateship as 130 Taekwondo competitors hit the mats in Forster today. The state invitation-only tournament showcasing a range of disciplines in all ages.  

Grafton’s hockey fields were filled with more than 400 of the state’s best players today. 31 teams competing for gold over three days at the Under 15 Girls State Hockey Championships.

Australia’s top Indigenous surfers have hit the waves at Bells Beach for the seventh annual Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles. Former Champion, and Coffs Harbour local, Otis Carey hunting for another win in the prestigious event. Today he set his benchmark in the competition, placing first in round one. The event will see more than 50 competitors surf the world-famous break over two days.

90 keen Taekwondo competitors will hit the mats on the mid north coast tomorrow. The Forster State Championship is an invitation-only event developed by seventh-dan international blackbelt, Fay Shacklock. 60 local martial artists will welcome clubs from areas including Sydney and Singleton, in a day showcasing all disciplines. Competitors at all levels are set to compete, from yellow belts right through to blackbelts. And it won’t just be the young guns hitting the mats, with an 81-year-old elder on hand to show the kids how it’s done. (VISION ONLY)  

An unfortunate loss for Port Macquarie surfer Matt Banting, knocked out of the Q-S 6000 event in Japan. Despite trailing for most of the heat…he posted his highest total of 13.83. “Matt Banting, nice big snap off the top wrapping it back again looking for a bit more in this wave another big wave, another big carve section.” But it wasn’t good enough to seal a spot in the quarter finals, missing out by one point. (AUDIO IN PARTS)  

Closer to home, the Crescent Head Malibu Classic got underway today…with more than 250 long boards taking to the water. The comp is celebrating its 30th year, and the salty sea dogs behind the event say it’s not so much about the competition these day, but the surfing community.  

To surfing, and Port Macquarie’s Matt Banting has cruised through to round four of the of the QS 6000 in Japan. Banting took out the heat, knocking off USA’s Nat Young and fellow Aussie David Vlug. “Nice quick snap, really pacing his turns, putting his turns exactly where the wave needs him to put his turns.” Waves two and three secured Banting the number one position, posting a total of 12.04. He’ll now face Kiwi Ricardo Kristi and Brazilian Marc Fernandez. (AUDIO IN PARTS)  

A lack of adaptive equipment and rules can be a hurdle for children with disabilities, who are keen to join a local sporting team. But today, students faced with daily challenges took part in a sports day with a welcome twist.

This year’s race calendar is set to boast a star meet at next week’s Wingham Cup. Local Melbourne Cup winning jockey Corey Brown will take on his home track, in a new race named in his honour.