Impressive year to look back on and celebrate many achievements

Youngsters impress in Perth

Port Hedland and Newman swimmers competed against 378 athletes from 32 clubs across WA in the 2018 SunSmart Country Championships at HBF Stadium in Mt Claremont, with excellent results from Kaylea Smith, David Smith, Luke Bourke, Thabiso Bayiwa and Leah McDonnell.

Newman impressive in F-section

Teams from Newman and Hedland took off for five days of cricketing action at the annual Alcohol Think Again Senior Country Week. Port Hedland and Newman playing in the E and F sections between January 21 and 26.

Parkrun brings out seasoned competitors and novices

One of Hedland’s favourite exercise groups was back up and running for 2018, with Port Hedland parkrun welcoming 21 joggers on January 20.

The 12th event attracted seven first-time competitors and five recorded new personal bests as residents ran, jogged and walked the timed 5km along Cemetery beach from 7am.

New coach takes on-field role

Former Swans Districts Football Club colts assistant coach Brendan Wattleworth took up the reins as a new coach in South Hedland.

Wattleworth, who travelled up with his family, was announced as the new South Hedland Swans Football coach at a pre-season training session.

Riders thrilled as they get back on the track

Local motocross hit the track early to kick-start their season before their first race round on March 17.

Port Hedland Motorcycle Club president Brad Stillman said riders were out on the Buttweld Road track as they prepared for a night round of racing in March.

Fees, events and match days decided

Committee members and players gathered to decide the fate of the Hedland Hockey Club season.

No detail was left unchecked as attendees decided on the key season details including fees, events and match days.

Then club president, Grit Andre, who opened the meeting, said there was a good turnout to continue the success from the previous year.

Riders champing to test improved track

Hedland BMX Club opened the starting gate on its 2018 season with a racing session for local cyclists.

Vice-president Michelle Kilmartin said there were some issues with equipment but the standard of riding was good.

Top teams splash it out for glory

It was a clash of the Titans for the Hedland Water Polo Association grand finals, Orcas took on Vipers in the women’s grand final, 8 -7, while the Dragons faced White Pointers in the men’s for a 10-7 win.

Kade Denney was named fairest and best, while Tara Mellberg was runner-up for the juniors at the Hedland Water Polo Association presentation night at the Esplanade Hotel.

Kathryn Fisher took fairest and best in the women’s competition, alongside runner-up and 27-goal leading scorer Tess Mellberg.

Men’s leading goal scorer with 31 goals and fairest and best Bradley Horsman took the stage beside runner-up Daniel Lacey.

FMG show their mettle

Fortescue Metals Group claimed victory in the Goodline v FMG fundraising football match.

Hedland crowds cheered on some stints of hard running and dubious footy skills during the match played by staff from both groups to raise funds for health and fitness charity Fair Play Australia at Colin Matheson Oval.

It was a serious fight, with the teams led out by Goodline captain Chad Morris and FMG captain Leon “Monas” Monaghan.

Awards spotlight on top club performers

Port Hedland Cricket Association marked the end of its season with an awards night on March 24. Jarrad O’Dea was named runner-up cricketer of the year, the season’s champion team, Wanderers, took home two grand final trophies.

Michael Mobilia, was the outstanding batsman in the Twenty20 season, with 238 runs at 119.00.

Mines captain Taurean Williams was named the season’s cricketer of the year again, and took the batting aggregate award for senior grade cricket with 268 runs.

Warm-up for sides

Local footy players sweated it out and kicked their training up a gear with a pre-season game in Broome over the Easter weekend.

South Hedland Swans travelled north to take on Broome Towns under a warm sun at Haynes Oval.

The visitors struggled early, with Towns displaying great running in the midfield throughout the match. Opposed by some late recovery by the Swans, Broome closed out the game 72-53.

New leaders to steer club

North West Muay Thai has started the year fresh with new leadership.

The not-for-profit association — focused on fitness and founded in 2012 — passed over leadership at the start of the year, with new club president Jarrod Goyen and secretary and treasurer Michelle Bingham.

Goyen said staff would aim to do former organisers Adam Bierl and Tennille Rice proud by running the club in the same way and focusing on the community.

Swans rout Rovers in hometown clash

South Hedland Swans crushed their hometown rivals Port Hedland Rovers in two fierce battles at Kevin Scott Oval.

The Swans flew off to an early lead in the league match, with player-coach Brendan Wattleworth kicking the first goal as the team worked hard to create a 19-point buffer at the first change.

The final scores were Swans 13.11 (89) to Rovers 3.4 (22).

South also ran riot in the reserves, with the Rovers’ second squad held to just 15 points (2.3) for the entire match while the second-string Swans kicked a massive 16.15 (111).

Youngsters catch eye of Eagles

Hedland’s Senior High School students were given the chance to rub shoulders with sporting fame, when West Coast Eagles’ Malcolm Karpany visited the town.

Students were run through a exercises and discussions under the guidance of VSwans staff and the 23-year-old small forward, who has played seven games and kicked six goals in the AFL.

Women’s game gaining momentum

A female football registration day was held in May to gather enthusiastic players.

The come-and-try session at Kevin Scott Oval in South Hedland attracted about 20 people with the aim of promoting fun, friendship and fitness with two nine-women teams.

Swans have all the answers in derby

The old Hedland rivalry has played out, with South’s Swans ousting Port’s Rovers for the second time in the season in the North Pilbara Football League.

It was another double-game sweep for the Swans, with both the league and reserves sides outmatching their cross-town rivals on at Colin Matheson Oval.

Final league scores were Swans 8.16 (64) to to Port’s 7.9 (51). Rovers managed 5.3 (33) in the reserves as Swans sealed the match booting 11.10 (76).

Race day forges ahead

Delayed flights couldn’t cancel race day in Port Hedland, with residents frocking up and heading out to the local turf club.

Clear skies and an extra race for the day welcomed patrons, but there was an hour’s wait, with the all-important flight containing jockeys, racing stewards and vital personnel delayed leaving Perth on Sunday, June 17.

Race-goers waited patiently, taking the opportunity to have a chat with Hedland police, who held a sausage sizzle to raise money for Police Legacy.

Players glean country week tips

Pilbara hockey players have hit up Australian Hockeyroos midfielder Georgia Wilson and Kookaburras defender Nicholas Budgeon for advice at a training session.

Wilson, who has also played for the WA Diamonds, received the Rechelle Hawkes youth player of the year award last year and has been building Hedland’s hockey skills with Budgeon in Port Hedland in recent weeks.

“In skills, it’s really varied among the groups — some of them have played hockey before and some of them haven’t so it’s catering to the groups in each class,” she said. “I’ve definitely seen a progression over the weeks, which is great.”

Sparring showcases top skills

Youngsters matched Muay Thai and boxing techniques at a Unit 2 Boxing Sparring and Development Night in South Hedland.

Port Hedland’s most talented boxers went head-to-head in a friendly sparring exhibition with multiple competitors and coaches at JD Hardie Youth Zone, with a DJ set by The Strange 1 and North West Roller Derby providing the barbecue.