Noarlunga Football Club (NFC) has decided not to play senior football in the Southern Football League (SFL) in 2020. The Shoes President, Mark Anderson, has made the following statement...The Noarlunga football club committee have met and decided not to nominate our seniors football sides in this 2020 season.This has not been an easy decision and most certainly has not been made lightly. This decision has been made with the best interests for the health, safety and welfare of our volunteers, members, supporters, players and sponsors in addition to acknowledging the increased ongoing workload and strain on our volunteers, which would be required to ensure that Covid-19 restrictions are adhered to.We understand that players, supporters and parents may be saddened by this outcome but this decision was made with a view of ensuring what was the best for our club and wider community and in addition to ensuring appropriate support for our older volunteers, without whom our club simply would not exist.We remain committed to our junior development and will be looking to run our junior and mini sides in The 2020 season. As a club we remain strong and look forward to your ongoing support during this unprecedented times .Mark Anderson NFC PRESIDENT & CLUB COVID-19 SAFETY OFFICER

SANFL Community Football | Return to Play UpdateThe purpose of this message is to provide further updates following the State Government announcements about the easing of COVID-19 restrictions late last week, which followed the earlier information regarding spectators/crowds.The critical update is that from Friday, 19 June full squad training and internal trial matches can commence (Stage 3.5 SANFL Roadmap).The hard work and dedication from our Leagues and Clubs adhering to the various protocols have demonstrated that we are capable of delivering the required safeguards to move into the next stages of our roadmap which are set out as follows...From Friday 19 June (new interim stage following State Government announcements)Full Squad Training CommencesInternal Trial Matches PermittedFrom Friday 26 JuneFull Squad Training ContinuesInter-Club Trial Matches PermittedCompetition Matches PermittedFrom Friday 3 JulyCompetition with Spectators (protocols being finalised)SANFL will hold a SANFL Community Club Education Webinar on Wednesday, 24 June at 6:00pm to detail the return to competition, in particular with spectators from Friday 3 July, which will include any protocols required around changeroom access and match day management. The meeting link for the SANFL Community Club Education Webinar is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82641908266?pwd=anFoSVUrQTJOaE9oSkYrdXlGZ2pOZz09. For further information on the protocols in place at each of the above dates, please refer to the SANFL Return to Play website: https://sanfl.com.au/returntoplay/. Please note that the protocols for competition with spectators from Friday, July 3 are in the process of being finalised and will be presented at the webinar. We thank you for your continued work and support as you lead your football leagues, clubs and communities through this period.Finally, well done to those Leagues and Clubs that have set a season commencement date, we continue to see positive progression and the continuing easing of restrictions as we approach a return to competition.Kind Regards,Tom HurleyHead of Community FootballSANFL

Despite the wet and cold weather, Cricket decisions are already being made for next season. In good news for the game in the southern area, the Southern Districts Cricket Club have re-appointed Carl Hooper and Hannah Sampson as head coaches of the Men’s and Women’s programs respectively. Last season the Stingrays Women did the ‘double’ in the SACA Twenty20 competitions with both the first and second grade winning premierships. In the longer form of the game the second grade finished as minor premier but were unable to play finals due to the COVID-19 restrictions. However, as they had finished on top of the ladder at the end of the minor round, they were awarded the premiership. The first grade struggled at the start of their 50-over campaign before finishing the season well to just miss out on a finals berth.The Stingrays Women have many good juniors with Ella Wilson, Callie Wilson, Gemma Kennedy and Amy Peterson all good chances to be included in the under age state programs again as they were last season. Other players to watch include Annabelle Yelland, Keely Stone and Kelly Armstrong.  Yelland joined the Stingrays late last season and is relatively new to the game. Coach Hannah Sampson expects her skills to go “through the roof” with regular games. It will be Stone’s third season of cricket and Sampson says, “she’s improved out of sight and will be pushing for a consistent first grade spot. She’s a great kid and very coachable.” According to Sampson, Armstrong was “unlucky not to be considered for a state contract after taking 35 wickets last season. She has one of the best ‘wrong-uns’ in the state and she will be looking to put in another big season for us.” The Stingrays have also gained the services of young all-rounder Shania McKinnon from Kensington who Sampson is looking forward to working with. “We have a lot of players pushing for first grade positions so it should make for good competition for spots,” said Sampson. Pre-season starts in August so anyone interested in playing for us is welcome to contact me or the club. We are the premier cricket club for the south!”Former West Indies international Carl Hooper made an immediate impact on the Men’s program as the first grade rose from 11th position in 2018/19 to fifth in 2019/20. The other three senior grades all won more games and finished higher on the ladder than in the 2018/19 season as well with hopefully more depth and improvement to come.The Stingrays recruited well with the returning Lewis Hatchett taking 32 wickets in first grade competition to finish equal second on the SACA wicket-taking list. Sunam Gautam was also a key recruit and he made an excellent contribution with 305 runs and 19 wickets to be one of the leading all-rounders in the competition. Skipper Josh Barrett led the way with the bat making 581 runs at an average of 52.82 including a match-winning knock of 182 not out against Port Adelaide. He was well supported by veteran Brendan McCormack who made 520 runs at 40.The Stingrays are always on the lookout for new players so if you’re interested in playing in season 2020/21, please get in touch with the club. Their website is http://southern_stingrays.sa.cricket.com.au/ and their Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Southern-District-Stingrays-168794203135228/

Great Southern Netball (GSNA) is set to return on Saturday 11 July. At this stage only Willunga, Encounter Bay, Myponga, Langhorne Creek and reigning premier Victor Harbor have committed to playing this season. Below is a statement from the GSNA.....GSNA Management met last night and the decision was made to go ahead with the 2020 Season. We would like announce that the season will commence on the 11th of July 2020 with five clubs committed to the season. Note that we will NOT follow the football.

The Great Southern Football League (GSFL) will begin their season on Saturday 11 July (Men) and Sunday 12 July (Women). The season will consist of nine minor rounds plus finals. The decision was made following a meeting of GSFL delegates on Wednesday (10 June). In more good news, Yankalilla have decided to play in 2020 after originally withdrawing from the competition earlier this year. Here is a statement released by the club yesterday....."Valued members, sponsors and players after extensive negotiations with all the key stake holders within the GSFL it is with great excitement that we can announce that we will be resuming footy in a competitive capacity in 2020. Due to a mammoth amount of work undertaken by our committee and in consultation with the GSFL and yourselves we have been successful in negotiating an equitable outcome to allow us to head down this path. We are sure that you will all have many questions and we will attempt to answer them all but rest assured more information will be put forward as we have it on hand. We would like to thank the GSFL for their help in being able to help us through all of the necessary requirements. Thank you for your understanding and patience and go the mighty Tigers in 2020."

The Southern Football League (SFL) released the following statement this afternoon...At a meeting between the SFL Board and Member Clubs last night, 10/6/2020, the following was agreed to...- Saturday competitions to begin on July 11th, playing a nine (9) game season, with four teams contesting three weeks of finals, and the grand final on September 26th- Sunday competitions to begin on July 12th, playing an eight (8) game season, with four teams contesting three weeks of finals, and the grand final on September 20th- Sunday minis to begin on July 5th, playing ten (10) games with the season finishing on September 6th. At this stage no carnivals are planned due to restrictions on size of gatherings and the condensed Saturday and Sunday competition season.To ensure that the season begins as planned, and continues, all clubs must continue to follow the restrictions and protocols put in place by government bodies, SA Health and SANFL. We ask all players, families and supporters to please continue the good work in assisting clubs to stay compliant.

The Secretary of the Kangaroo Island Football League (KIFL), Catherine Tydeman, has released the following statement regarding the 2020 season.....The KIFL last night made the decision to put the remaining years focus on its juniors and withdraw any senior competition. Clubs have been asked to go out to their communities to gauge commitment to a proposed 2 round competition for Colts and U12, we continue to await further advice on Auskick. The decision was made bearing in mind the need for some certainty for players, impact of compliance on clubs and volunteers and being able to focus in on the important youth factor in our community and do that well. We trust that the community and our clubs are supportive and understanding of this decision.

Some exciting news from the Southern Hills Netball Association with the season to start on the 27th of June. As soon as we have any information from other associations within the Fleurieu, we'll update you!SHNA Winter Season to commence on June 27th!Game times will be reduced as follows:U9 - U13 games will be 10 minute quarters with 3-5-3 minute quarter breaks.Inters and Seniors will have 12 minute quarters with 3-5-3 minute quarter breaks.

Some exciting news regarding local Football. Roll on July!SANFL Community Football | Return to Play | Competition | Spectators/Crowds | From 3 JulyWe write to advise that from 3 July – SANFL Community Football will be able to return to competition with crowds of up to 500.Positively, the hard work and dedication from our Leagues and Clubs in adhering to the Return to Training protocols have demonstrated that we are capable of delivering the required safeguards to move into the final stage – Stage 5 – of our roadmap.SANFL is waiting on further detail and advice from the State Government, which will enable us to finalise our protocols to move into Stage 5 of the SANFL Roadmap.Once this is received, SANFL is committed to ensuring our Leagues and Clubs are prepared and educated to deliver COVID safe environments and a return to competition with spectators in a safe and healthy manner.Further information regarding this announcement and the associated education and protocols will be discussed at the meeting with League Presidents/Secretaries tonight.We thank you for your continued work, support and understanding as you lead your football leagues, clubs and communities through this period.Kind Regards,Tom HurleyHead of Community FootballSANFL

Below is a SANFL media release regarding player payments in Communtity Football across South Australia for season 2020.....SANFL has announced that there will be no player payments in Community Football leagues across the State for season 2020 to assist with a viable return to play for all clubs. The decision by SANFL Community Football and the SA Football Commission to reduce the Player Payment Salary Cap to $0 follows extensive consultation with affiliated leagues and clubs. SANFL Head of Community Football Tom Hurley said feedback from the consultation process revealed a significant majority of leagues and clubs were in favour of abolishing player payments in 2020. Existing regulations on travel allowances will remain to support regional clubs with travelling players. After Match Awards also will continue to be permitted. Mr Hurley said the outcome was part of a broader response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce community club costs in line with reduced revenues. “Ultimately, our goal is to ensure every football club and league in South Australia can get through season 2020 and come out of the other side and be sustainable and successful,” Mr Hurley said. “While some clubs may not be as impacted as others by COVID-19, most have taken a significant hit through loss of sponsorship and other revenue streams as a result of the effect on local businesses.” The Community Football Player Payment Salary Cap, introduced by SANFL in 2016, had limited clubs to no more than $3,500 per match in all regional leagues, and no more than $3,000 per match in the metropolitan Adelaide Footy League. Mr Hurley said it was expected the decision to abolish player payments would give clubs and leagues more clarity before making a decision about their 2020 season. SANFL has recommended to all leagues and clubs that they hold off on making any decision about the season until a meeting of League Presidents on Tuesday, June 9. “We understand this is an uncertain time for everyone involved in our game, but we appreciate the football community working together to ensure all community clubs are sustainable into the future.”

Lewis Hatchett’s journey to first class Cricket in England was not an ordinary one. At birth his parents were told he would never be able to play sports as he was diagnosed with a very rare condition called Poland Syndrome, meaning he doesn’t have his right pectoral muscle and two ribs behind it. Despite many ups and downs along the way, Lewis realised his dream to be a professional cricketer when he signed for his local club Sussex in 2010.In a six-year career at Sussex, Hatchett, a left arm fast-medium bowler, took 102 wickets in all formats before retiring in 2016 due to back injuries. His 102 wickets included 72 at first-class level including three five-wicket hauls with a best of 5/47 against Leicestershire in just his second match. Hatchett first played with Southern Districts in the SACA Premier Cricket competition back in 2008/09 and last season (2019/20) he was back at the Stingrays for his fifth season and his first since 2015/16. Hatchett had an excellent season finishing equal second on the first grade wicket takers list with 32 scalps at an average of 17.63 including career-best figures of 8/49 in the last game of the season against Woodville. Hatchett was also named in the First Grade Team of the Year for 2019/20.Since retiring as a professional cricketer, Hatchett founded The Sport Yogi where he is a performance and wellbeing coach for those in sport and exercise. Find out more about Lewis at his websites thesportyogi.com and lewishatchett.comHow did you first get involved in Cricket?I first started by playing cricket in the garden with my grandad and brother and then my passion really began when I would play on the beaches of Barbados with friends. That soon turned into me joining a club and a dream of being a pro emerged.Who have been the biggest influences on your career?My parents without a doubt for the early parts and endless support and sacrifice. Then in my professional career, I worked with Dave Alred that changed my outlook on a lot of things and Jon Lewis my teammate then coach was instrumental in my development as a player and now coach.What advice would you give to youngsters that may be struggling with illness and/or injury and want to play sport at the highest level?Any injury is a lesson, learn from it, know that if you do things right and commit to becoming better, literally anything is possible.Who have been some of your toughest opponents in English County Cricket?Kane Williamson, Alistair Cook and Marcus Trescothik, the entire Yorkshire double championship winning team. Some of the toughest times in the field there!How different was the Grade Cricket scene and the Stingrays after not playing in Adelaide for a few years?I was last here the year we won the premiership. Having returned, a lot of the same people are there but also new faces. I know the club hasn’t had the best last few seasons but the change that has happened in the last 12 months has been incredible.What are the main differences between the game in Australia and England?The swing! Having to get the ball to do something out here is much different! Showing guys how to shine the ball properly. The pitches are flatter here too and so sometime you have to find ways of getting guys out in different ways. I really enjoy it. As a bowler it requires a wide range of skills and discipline. From a grade cricket level, I much more prefer the 2 day format, I think it creates better cricketers in all aspects. For batsmen, it’s a lot tougher in the UK with the ball moving a lot more in general.What is it like to be coached by a legend like Carl Hooper?I work more alongside Carl and for me it’s quite surreal. I grew up watching cricket in the West Indies and I remember being in the stand at Kensington Oval watching him play, now getting to know him is awesome. His empathy towards players mixed with his view on the game is a great blend. How do you see the future of Southern Districts and Cricket in the South?I think it’s really bright. I am going to be running the junior program this year and I’m completely re-engineering the entire thing. It’s going to be a much more professional, hardworking, positive, community driven program that will create not only good cricketers, but good people too.

Below is the latest update from Tom Hurley, Head of Community Football SANFL.....Once again, we appreciate your ongoing leadership as we navigate the Return to Play Roadmap for football in South Australia.Positively, the hard work and dedication from our Leagues and Clubs adhering to Level B Return to Training protocols have demonstrated that we are capable of delivering the required safeguards to move into the next stage of our roadmap.The State Government has today announced that the next stage of the SA Roadmap to Recovery has been brought forward to Monday, 1 June 2020, including advice that contact training for outdoor sports can commence from this date also.It was also announced that competitions for outdoor contact sports can also commence/resume from Friday, 26 June 2020.SANFL is waiting on further detail and advice from the State Government, which will enable us to finalise our protocols to move into Stages 3 and 4 of the SANFL Roadmap. Once this is received, SANFL will confirm a date for football clubs to commence contact training. As per previous correspondence, SANFL is committed to ensuring our Leagues and Clubs are prepared and educated to deliver COVID safe environments.*** SANFL will provide a further update on Stage 3 Training – i.e. Contact Training – and associated protocols as soon as we have received further detail and advice from the State Government ***While we have yet to receive confirmation on the ability for spectators to attend matches, we are buoyed by the early relaxation of restrictions, as well as the increase of patrons permitted inside venues. We are confident that this will be considered favourably in future.With respect to a return to competition and when/if spectators may return (including the provision of food and beverage), we will provide further information at the meeting of League Presidents/Secretaries on Tuesday, 9 June 2020 at 6:00pm.We thank you for your continued work, support and understanding as you lead your football clubs and communities through this period.Training until further notice must remain as per the Stage 2 Return to Training Protocols.SANFL will provide a further update on Stage 3 Training – i.e. Contact Training – and associated protocols as soon as we have received further detail and advice from the State Government.Please see the following key resource/information for SANFL Return to Play: https://sanfl.com.au/returntoplay/Take care and stay safe.Kind Regards,Tom HurleyHead of Community FootballSANFL

Below is the latest update from Netball SA.....Netball in South Australia has taken a significant step towards return-to-play following the Premier’s announcement around community sport on Monday, May 25. On Monday afternoon, SA Premier Steven Marshall explained that Step 2 of the state’s roadmap will be brought forward to Monday, June 1. The Premier also announced that contact sports, including netball, could return to competition after June 25.Since the announcement, Netball SA has sought clarity around what exactly this means for netball across the state. From Monday, June 1, outdoor training can commence contact training in groups of 20. The limit of 20 is based on active participants, meaning it excludes coaches or umpires. However, while indoor training can also resume from Monday, June 1, Netball SA has been advised this is non-contact only.The limit of 10 per court (plus one coach/deliverer) applies to indoor trainings starting on Monday, as it has over the past two weeks for outdoor training. Canteens and clubrooms can open and serve takeaway food, ensuring each clubroom remains under the limit of 80 people and sticks to one person per 4m2. This means clubs will need to do the maths and determine how many people they can fit in their venue based on the size to remain under the limit.Canteens are able to open onto the outside where a veranda is for example, however, the outer area needs to be clearly marked for patrons with waiting spaces and 1.5m apart. Netball SA is currently working with the Office of Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR) around how the limit of 80 people per venue will work for netball, particularly in relation to the larger venues and Priceline Stadium.In addition, Netball SA are waiting on further clarity from the ORSR on several areas, as well as SAPOL who are yet to finalise their directive.For the most recent government information around COVID-19, visit https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/

The Western Districts Football Club (“The Saints'') were meant to celebrate their 50th anniversary last weekend. Instead they have had to postpone their celebrations until next year after the devastating bushfires that hit Kangaroo Island last summer destroyed the Western Districts Community Club. Club President, Tony Nolan, said the club had hoped to recognise the 50-year anniversary by erecting a Marquee for the event but sadly the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to those plans as well.The club affectionately known as “The Club in the Scrub”, have an enviable record in the Kangaroo Island Football League (KIFL) since joining the competition in 1970 with 13 ‘A’ grade flags, including a 15-point victory over Parndana in the 2019 decider last September. It was also a great year for the Netball club who snared an incredible five of the seven premierships on offer! Unfortunately the club's joy was short lived with the catastrophic bushfires followed by the COVID-19 outbreak which has deeply affected the community.Hopefully the club will get to defend it's 2019 titles but no decision has been made as yet on what form, if any, the 2020 season will take. But as Mr. Nolan says, “we'll keep on marching”!

Julian Farkas has had a very interesting football journey over the past 25-plus years. From school football to the Willunga Football Club, South Adelaide Football Club and then to Canberra where he played with the Eastlake Demons. The move to Canberra opened up a chance for Julian to follow his passion to work in the football ‘industry’ and get involved in coaching and junior development as he coached the Eastlake U/18’s and later the ACT U/16 team.Returning to Adelaide in 2009, ‘Jules’ worked with the Port Adelaide Football Club as Talent Development Manager until 2013 before moving back to South Adelaide as Zone Development Officer. Since 2016 Farkas has worked at the SANFL as the Talent Pathways Manager and has coached the SA U/16 team since 2018. 2018 would prove to be a great year as the Croweaters won the U/16 national championship with Farkas being named coach of the All-Australian team.So as you can see it's been a long and successful football journey for Farkas. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented some new challenges with no games being played and an unsure landscape for young players looking to come through the elite SANFL pathways. Hopefully things will return to ‘normal’ soon and Farkas can get back to identifying, developing and coaching the fantastic young football talent we have in this state.Playing careerWillunga:115 Senior gamesSouth Adelaide: 80 League & Reserves gamesEastlake: 90 Senior games1996 All-Australian Country team1996 & 1998 South Australian State Country Representative1998 Willunga Football Club 'A' grade Premiership2000 Captain of the GSFL - winners of the Lovelock Shield2000 Best & Fairest Willunga Football Club2002 AFL Canberra Team of the year2002, 06, 07 AFL Canberra Representative team2006-07 Eastlake Football Club Leading Goal Kicker Coaching career2003 Eastlake Football Club U/182008 ACT U/16 State Team2013 Port Adelaide Football Club U/182014-15 South Adelaide Football Club U/162018-Current South Australia U/16 State Team2018 All Australian U/16 CoachHow did you first get involved in Football?I was very interested in sports as a kid and our back fence was shared with the primary school oval.  I played for the primary school initially as there was no Auskick back in those days.Who have been the biggest influences on your Football career?My dad initially was very influential even though he never played a game but he showed me the basics and then let my coaches coach which was great.  The late Leith Renney who coached me at Willunga in juniors. Ken Applegarth who coached me at under 17’s, under 19’s, Reserves and League, and in recent years in a management and coaching influence it has been Tony Bamford. But the biggest influence on me as a player and coach is Nathan Clarke who was a young playing coach at Eastlake and we both worked at the footy club so had lots of time to influence each other.What did you enjoy most about playing for Willunga?The people and the feeling of community are the things that stand out. What was the transition to league football with South Adelaide like and who were some of your toughest opponents?It was a progression as I was involved in the junior programs at South but also played a fair bit of ‘A’ Grade footy in the Great Southern Football League (GSFL) which gave me a great grounding for the much tougher SANFL competition. Randall Follett and Jamie Brown were a couple of the best players I played with and against in the GSFL.What are some of your favourite sporting memories?Obviously team success. Premierships at any level are special, even the ‘B’ Grade cricket premiership I played in at Old Scotch. Representative success was always special. The representative trips were fantastic to be involved with because the best players were involved and the vast majority are outstanding blokes that just wore different colours than you so when you were on the same team for a short but concentrated period with little other distractions (due to usually travelling away), it made for some fond memories.What’s the best thing about coaching elite junior talent and what are some of the biggest challenges?You get to coach not only good footballers but great young men.  Ensuring that the best talent is captured and allowing them to be showcased with the best opportunity to succeed.  Also telling a great kid and a good player that he hasn’t made the team is difficult.You’ve been involved in the SANFL for over a decade in junior development, coaching and talent pathway management, what have been some of the biggest changes in that time?Just the sheer scope of the industry and the amount of people involved. At a SANFL club you have approximately 25 zoned clubs. At the SANFL we have eight SANFL clubs and there are 18 AFL clubs which have recruiting departments, development staff, etc...The AFL talent department is an enormous beast which makes it a challenge to work with so many stakeholders. This is also the reason why it’s a great industry to work in because of the people.How do you see the future of Football in the Fleurieu region?With a growing population hopefully it booms as we have seen the explosion of female football across the nation.  However we are dealing with a green space issue which is affecting sports everywhere.  The Covid pandemic has shown us all just how important sport is to our health and wellbeing, both physically and mentally but also socially so I very much hope we see an increase in participation off the back of this current situation. 

The Yankalilla Football Club has decided not to participate in the Great Southern Football League in season 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a statement from club President Bob Williss.....Hi Everyone, I know you're probably all wondering what is going on at the YFC so I will do my best to bring you all up to date. It has certainly been an unsure and unpredictable time.Firstly can I say I am very proud of the way the Committee and Leadership Group have handled this constantly changing situation. It has also been very impressive how our new Coach, Lindsay Thomas, has conducted himself and constantly has the YFC's best interests at heart.The GSFL held a Zoom meeting which all clubs were present. Various issues were raised and discussed. One of the points raised were they were still intending to start the season on 20th June as a 9 round season with finals. However there would be limited numbers allowed through the gate with no bar or canteen. Having said that, there is still so many variables and potentially things could change at any given point. It is still very uncertain and a big unknown to say exactly what will happen over the next few weeks and months.As a result of this meeting it was decided that in the best interest of our club and our community, the YFC will not participate in season 2020. This decision was not made lightly but we feel it is the right one. We believe that playing a half season with restrictions will be a detriment.So moving forward, what does this mean? YFC will not commence training immediately until we have established correct protocols & hygiene levels for all players, women's, men's and juniors. We will be using this opportunity to grow as a club and develop relationships making our club more united. We will be running a Junior Academy so our Junior players do not miss out completely, coordinated by the Senior Playing Group. As restrictions get lifted there is also a possibility of scratch matches and lightening carnivals. We will also be using this time to do some fundraising to put YFC in good stead for season 2021.The YFC would sincerely like to thank our valued sponsors and members who kindly donated to the club, it is greatly appreciated! We would also like to thank you for your understanding in these difficult times. Please don't hesitate to call us if you have any concerns or queries. Watch this space for updates on restrictions and upcoming events.PresidentBob Williss

Rohan Reid has been the best cricketer in the Hills Cricket Association (HCA) this century and quite possibly, the best ever in the long history of the HCA. His statistics for his beloved Meadows Cricket Club are quite frankly, hard to believe! Reid has made 13,077 runs (39 x 100’s, 74 x 50’s) and taken 425 wickets (17 x 5-wicket/inns) for the Bulldogs in ‘A’ grade competition since making his debut as a 14-year old. He has also made over 1,500 runs for the HCA in Meyer Shield competition plus he has been a South Australia Country Representative on five occasions and a regular in the Fleurieu & Districts teams in the annual SACA Country Carnival.Team success has always been the main focus for Reid and Meadows has had plenty of that winning an amazing 12 premierships in the past 15 seasons. The Bulldogs have also won three SA Country T20 Championships at the Adelaide Oval. In representative cricket, Reid has been involved in 10 Meyer Shield winning HCA teams (seven as Captain) and two SACA Country Carnival winning sides with Fleurieu & Districts.It’s a real ‘family affair’ for the Reid’s at Meadows with brother Haydn a very successful ‘keeper/batsman, Father, David was a long time Bulldogs player while Mum, Val is the ‘A’ grade scorer as well as looking after the Grandchildren on game day! Despite playing 20 years of ‘A’ grade cricket, it appears there’s plenty more runs and wickets left in Rohan Reid! How did you first get involved in Cricket? It all started watching the old man (David) play on Saturday's and in the backyard with my brother (Haydn). I debuted at 8 playing under 13’s (no helmets back than either) and by then it was just what the family did on the weekend. My brother and I would play in the morning and watch dad in the afternoon until I was able to play my first senior game at 12 and then ‘A’ Grade at 14. Who have been the biggest influences on your Cricket career? If Dad and Haydn didn’t play when I was growing up I might not have played cricket at all. Through representative cricket you meet some wise heads. Travis Bahr (player) and Jeff Vaughan (SA Country Coach) were two that taught me an enormous amount about the mental and strategic side of cricket.What do you enjoy most about playing for Meadows? Family and friends. The majority of our senior group has played cricket together since we were kids. Now our kids play together on Saturday afternoon. We have a very tight group on and off the field and we have a lot of fun.What are some of your favourite sporting memories? I have been extremely lucky to grow up with a group of mates that love playing cricket and that has seen us enjoy a massive amount of success on the Football (2 ‘A’ Grade Premierships) and Cricket field (12 ‘A’ Grade Premierships) at Meadows. This has flowed onto representative cricket with a core group of us playing representative cricket together. I would rank premierships above all individual accolades or awards but above all the premierships is the mates (family) I have made and continue to make, and the memories we have made on and off the field.Who are/have been some of your toughest opponents? I think of my cricket differently than most and I hate losing. So my HCA toughest opponents are/have been guys that were good enough to beat you by themselves regardless of how well you as a team played. Two guys that come to mind with the bat are Ben Kemp and Dylan Brown. They certainly went about it differently, but on their day are unstoppable but also good to watch. Ryan Hunter as an all-round threat with the bat, ball and in the field is another tough opponent.You’ve achieved a great deal but are there still any aims left for you to achieve? At 35 I have dialled down any personal goals and it's now about handing control over to, and teaching the younger players at Meadows and at Representative level whilst still winning premierships. I will continue to play cricket until I no longer care if I win or lose. You’ve been a strong advocate for Meyer Shield* competition. Where does this drive come from? Ultimately I want to win, but I also enjoy the challenge of playing competitive cricket against the best players, where you arrive at the game not knowing if you are going to win and when it comes down to the last five overs of a game and it's in the balance. I would love to play against the best cricketers in our zone every week if there was a way.How do you see the future of sport in the Fleurieu region? To be honest, I think sport is dying across the board. I’m scared for the future of all sports, everyone is time poor now, whether through work or other commitments. Sport used to be the number one priority placed above all other things on the weekend. It now sits at second or third priority for most and I fear it will keep slipping down the list. However, I will be doing my best for as long as I can to keep Meadows Cricket Club going on field and off field.

The Goodwood Handicap is the most keenly sought after sprint race in South Australia, with a $400,000 prize pool. It is a highly regarded Group 1 race, attracting horses both locally and from interstate. Strathalbyn boasts an excellent chance in the big race this coming Saturday (16/5) with David Jolly Racing’s 4 y/o Gelding, Behemoth. One More Jack, trained by another local, Shane Oxlade, unfortunately just missed out on a start in the Goodwood.Behemoth is David’s stable star and finished a narrow second behind Despatch in the 2019 edition of South Australia’s headline race, after enduring a checkered path up the Morphettville straight. He also ran a brave fourth in the inaugural $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill in November. The Golden Eagle was taken out by Kolding, which overcame South Australian star Sunlight close to home. Mizzy edged Behemoth out of third by a nose, a remarkable effort by the Adelaide visitor given his wide passage throughout the 1500m race and his less than ideal preparation. “He’s a very talented horse and obviously he was a bit unlucky in last year’s Goodwood, said Jolly. “He’s had a good break now and he’s a little bit more mature.”As mentioned earlier, Shane Oxlade Racing’s Four-year-old Gelding One More Jack was nominated for the Goodwood but sadly missed out on a spot. He’s been racing in great style recently with six wins in a row before finishing fourth at his last start. The majority of his six victories have come in emphatic fashion, but at one stage he was a horse that was staring at a career over the jumps. "I did what any trainer does with an incredibly slow and lazy horse, I put the blinkers on and just hoped," said Oxlade. It’s been a fairytale story for this small stable with Oxlade and his daughter, Cassie, putting in the hard yards at the Strathalbyn Track.“There were 10 Strathalbyn Trainers represented in all fields across last weekend’s Autumn Carnival and this weekend there are nine,” said Strathalbyn Racing Club Manager, Kristy Martin. “It was great to have Terry McAuliffe from Racing.Com come to the club this week to conduct his weekly track talk segment, gaining great exposure for our club to a wide audience.”“I couldn’t be more delighted with the success of the hard working stables and their teams. Strathalbyn has continued to prosper as a club and with a big weekend on the big stage ahead, we couldn’t be any prouder,” said Martin. 

Below is the latest update from Netball SA regarding COVID-19 and their Return to play Roadmap.....Netball SA received approval from the State Government on Saturday morning, May 9, for a structured return-to-training plan for Community Netball across the state.From Monday, May 18, clubs and associations can commence outdoor training for junior and senior teams in groups of 10 people per court, including coaching and support staff.All trainings will be held under strict protocols, in line with government guidelines to ensure the safety of the netball community.At this stage, indoor training will not be permitted and Priceline Stadium, along with all other indoor stadiums, will remain closed until June 8.However, the outdoor courts at Priceline will be reopened.A comprehensive return-to-play proposal by Netball SA was submitted the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing (ORSR) earlier this week in response to eased restrictions around COVID-19.The approved proposal included the following protocols, in line with current advice permitting netball trainings to return at ‘Level B’ restrictions as per the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport in a COVID-19 environment:Small group trainings of no more than 10 athletes/staff in totalTraining activities will be strictly non-contactChangeroom facilities not to be usedSocial distancing of 1.5 metres to be upheldSome sharing of sporting equipment permitted, such as throwing a netball, using a skipping rope, weights and matsPlayers must not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to training commencingSpectators are not permitted. For juniors, one parent/caregiver is permitted for supervision purposes and if feasible they are encouraged to wait in car/outside venue to avoid gatheringsEach club to determine an individual within each team to be responsible for ensuring all patrons adhere to the protocolsHand hygiene available at all facilities and increased hygiene practicesFor more detail, please see the documents that were submitted as part of the proposal:Community Netball GuidelinesReturning To Netball From COVID-19: Community Netball Level BPriceline Stadium Ingress/Egress MapNetball SA CEO Bronwyn Klei said as eager as netball was to get back on the court, it was paramount that a return-to-training plan was enforced in a structured manner to ensure safety.“We all just want to get back out on court, but it’s so important that we get this step right to ensure we can progress from the return-to-train to a return-to-play plan as soon as possible,” Ms Klei said.“Although outdoor training for groups of 10 is permitted from Monday, May 11, we want to give our clubs and associations the time to digest these new protocols and put the required safety measures in place ahead of May 18.“We will work closely with our clubs and associations to ensure they have the resources they need to adequately protect their athletes and staff.”“We’re thrilled our players can start training in groups of ten - this is a significant step towards seeing the sport we love return in full,” Klei said.“Netball, and sport in general, is so important to the health and wellbeing of not just our junior players, but all our athletes across South Australia.”Netball SA will continue to work with SA Health and ORSR towards ‘Level C’ of the plan, which would allow for full training and competition.