North West Sport

They formed the club just over twelve months ago and membership is booming. The Peel Valley Motorcyle Club took it back to basics on Saturday, putting the next batch of juniors through their paces.

It’s a little known sport in the New England but it’s hoped wheelchair basketball will soon take off. Today’s Northern Shootout saw players from Newcastle combine with those from our region to make up full teams, until the sport gains the numbers locally. “With the new chairs living out of SportsUNE we’re hoping to really, greatly increase our numbers in the New England. We’ve had a lot of feedback from events that people are keen to get in and have a go, we just haven’t had the equipment so now that we’ve got the chairs hopefully we’ll get some more people involved,” Joe Shoebridge, Wheelchair Sports NSW. It’s hoped a local competition could be up and running by the end of the year. NOTE: AUDIO IN PARTS ONLY

It’ll be a fitting finale for the New South Wales Country Eagles tomorrow, as they wrap-up their National Rugby Championship in Tamworth. The Eagles flew into Tamworth this afternoon ahead of tomorrow’s match, a side that’s skippered by Tamworth boy Paddy Ryan.  

They’re a club that comprises of exceptional initiative and foresight; qualities that will unearth a new junior program this Sunday. A weekend that launches the Tamworth Cycle Club criterium season, and it’s not just for the adults.  

The New South Wales Country Eagles will touch down in Tamworth tomorrow, ahead of Saturday’s National Rugby Championship match against Queensland Country. The lads will hit the paddock tomorrow afternoon at Tamworth’s Scully Park for their ‘Captain’s Run,’ where the general public are welcome to attend. It’ll be a homecoming for Eagles skipper Paddy Ryan; with the front-rower leading the team in his old neighbourhood. The Eagles are coming off a heart-breaking one-point loss to Brisbane City. PLEASE NOTE: AUDIO UNAVAILABLE.  

It’s an opportunity for kids who are considering motorbike racing to take the next step. This Saturday, the Peel Valley Motorcycle Club will put on its ‘Come and Try Day,’ where novice riders are also welcome.  

She’s represented her country on 71 occasions, and Susan Pettitt is now advising the next generation of netballers. The former Aussie star held clinics this morning in Armidale, before heading to Tamworth this afternoon.  

The rugby season might be over, but Tamworth’s keen players will soon be able to play in the Summer Sevens comp. Registration kicks off on Thursday, and organisers say they’ve had to add an extra night of play to keep up with the interest.

Tamworth’s keen bowlers came together on Wednesday – paying tribute to one of their own. West Tamworth Bowling Club hosted a comp, in memory of a bowler who tragically lost his life. “Today’s the day that we honour John Paul Vella, John was killed in a truck accident down near Singleton a couple of years ago.” John was a member of West Tamworth Bowling Club, and the turnout shows just how much he is missed. The event now its fourth year, with 28 pairs competing in Wednesday’s game. “They’ve come from far and wide- Walcha, Kootingal, Werris Creek, Tamworth clubs as well, so it’s a really good roll-up.”

Tamworth’s golfing community will take out their clubs this Friday, raising money for cancer research. The event is being held in memory of a friend who lost his life to the disease, David Clemson. More than 80 people have signed up to play, and organisers are looking to score a hole-in-one on the fundraising front – setting a target of more than $10,000. “Thanks to Dave’s legacy, this day will become one of the biggest charities in Tamworth I’m hoping, and a lot of people are behind us, and the generosity is totally overwhelming, so we’re going to make it an annual event.”