Story & photos Eve Jeffery
For the second weekend in a row sport across the four shires has been cancelled because of torrential rain and stormy conditions and, as the summer competitions get under way, many activities have gone into winter mode leaving competitors champing at the bit for some action.
One of the few events to care less about rain is swimming, and the annual Alstonville Carnival went ahead as planned on Saturday. Including the finals, over 140 races and over 180 swimmers went before the starter’s gun. The All Saints were the overall winners on the day, taking the trophy back to the Gold Coast for the fifth time in as many years, with young Madeline Allars swimming in the under-8s placing first in all of her five events for 50 points and Jasper Dejager swimming a phenomenal six wins and one second for an impressive 78 points towards the All Saints win.
Swimmers will now get prepped for the North Coast Swimming Championships to be held at Coffs Harbour on the weekend on December 8 and 9.
One of the events that managed to make a dent in their competition before the rain set in were the equestrian events at the Bangalow Show. The second day heats of the Camp Draft started at 6am and beat the rain with over 80 entries in the heats and the second day of jumping began soon after.
Much of the local junior sport had to be either postponed, with cricket and Little As all having a soggy wet weekend.
A draft of a different kind will present sport lovers with one of the highlights for this week’s events when the 2012 NAB AFL Draft will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre this Thursday November 22. AFL Queensland CEO Michael Conlan will be joined by Scott Clayton, GC SUNS list and strategy manager, to launch a week of activity for local AFL players, talented athletes, coaches and administrators.
