North West Sport

Tamworth FC continue to dominate the Northern Inland Premier League, after coming away winners over North Armidale. Meanwhile, the Mushies and East Armidale played-out a high scoring draw, as the Demon Knights downed North Companions.  

The race towards the finals has well and truly ramped-up in Central North Rugby. Yesterday saw two of the competition heavy-weights go head-to-head in Moree, with last year’s grand finalists showing their class.  

It’s the Northern Inland Academy of Sport’s National Primary Games. A two-day flagship carnival in Tamworth, that boasts some big names and some big hearts. Olympians Shelly Watt and Jared Talent stopped by to impart some wisdom to aspiring sports stars, and the big names didn’t end there.  

It’s a carnival fittingly named after two Tamworth Olympians, Michael York and Kim Small. And this year, hundreds of keen young hockey players have taken to the field, vying for the York Cup and the Kim Small Shield.  

It’s a chance for budding polo players to learn from the very best. Hosted by Gunnedah Polo Club, the two-day Northwest Polo School targets all ages and riding abilities.  

The Tamworth Thunderbolts will be aiming to strike back, following their second loss of the season last round against Newcastle. The Thunderbolts take on competition leaders, the St George Saints, this Saturday in a top-of the-table-clash. Then on Sunday, they travel across the harbour to the Northern Beaches, to meet the fourth-placed Manly Sea Eagles. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE  

Armidale’s Georgie Morgan will make her long-awaited return to the Hockeyroos this weekend, when they begin their World Cup campaign against Japan in London. It’s been over 12-months since Morgan last represented Australia, with a recurring foot injury has kept the 25-year-old sidelined. The Hockeyroos are currently ranked fifth in the world and will line-up in Pool D alongside New Zealand and Belgium. They’ll be hoping to go one better than their previous World Cup, where they finished with a silver medal. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE  

Glen Innes rugby ace Alex Newsome has been recalled to the New South Wales Waratahs starting line-up, for their Super Rugby finals match against the Highlanders on Saturday night. Newsome will replace Cam Clark, who moves to the bench. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE  

It was an event that attracted more than 1500 gymnasts, and one dominated by the Tamworth Gymnastics Club. The club has left an almighty impression on this year’s New South Wales Country Gymnastics Championships, held in Newcastle.  

The North and North West Show Jumping Club has been given the honour of hosting this year’s state titles. It’s a big responsibility, with some big names to boot.