Within the last five years, Michael Williams, his best mate Josh Walton, and his younger brothers, Ben and Tom, all played their 200th game for the Kiama Power Senior AFL club. Michael plays in the backline, Josh is a utility, Ben’s in the midfield and Tom’s a forward.They have also won three premierships together: in 2009 (versus the Bomaderry Tigers), in 2011 (versus Wollongong University) and in 2018 (versus the Wollongong Lions).The Bugle reached Michael on an morning off from work to chat about his 200 games landmark moment.1) When did you reach the 200-game milestone?“Myself, I reached it in 2022. Josh and Ben, both did in 2019. And Tom last year,” he says.Brothers Ben, Tom and Michael Williams. Photo credit: Michael Williams.2) How did it feel?“It felt really good.”“Me and Josh have been playing for Kiama since we were 10-years-old in 2000, which was the second year for the Junior club. Josh played in the first-ever year for the Juniors in 1999.”“We both started playing for the senior club in 2006, Ben in 2008 and Tom in 2010.”3) How was it celebrated that you'd played 200 games?“The whole club and team made it a big deal. It was a bit embarrassing. But the others got the same treatment, so it was good,” he chuckles.4) Did you receive anything to commemorate the occasion?“They gave us a beer mug with the 200 games engraved and the Kiama logo during the end-of-year presentation. I got it in the living room, in a display cabinet.”“It’s been a good journey, playing together with my two brothers and my best mate. I feel lucky,” he concludes.

Sunday saw a flash flood warning in effect for the Illawarra region, with Kiama potentially being one of the hardest hit areas, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. But the torrential downpour didn’t stop the Kiama Knights in their round five meet-up against the Nowra Bomaderry Jets at The Castle (aka Kiama Showground).First out, under a grey sky, were the Reggies. They gave a good performance, considering the wet conditions, and beat the Jets 30-05.The dreary weather definitely didn’t deter the fans, who dressed in their finest winter gear, gathered under the protection of the stands or watched from the protection of their car boots.The Kiama Knights first grade took the lead against the Jets after 12 minutes of play with a penalty score. Meanwhile, the rain kept pounding, both horizontally and vertically.Three minutes to half time, the Kiama score board showed 8-0. The Jets had yet to score. Right at half time, Kiama scored again - 12-0.A converted try from the Jets in the second half, with 6 ½ minutes remaining of game time, put the final score at Kiama 18 - Jets 6.Kiama Knights JuniorsDuring the weekend, the juniors also played in the rain at Kiama Showground. “They did really well,” says President of the Junior Knights, Carl Middleton. “And they really enjoyed it.”Occasionally, games are called off due to the weather. For now, however, it was decided to keep the Showground open.“It was good for them to experience playing in the wet weather,” says Middleton.At the forefront of his mind when it comes to the season, he continues, “is that the kids are having fun and learning to play footy. To play in a really nice area in Kiama, to make good friends and to have coaches, who’ll become mentors.”

On 19 May, Jones Beach will once again host the 2024 NSW Junior Regional Series (South Coast). The cut-off date for entering is Friday 10 May, and young surfers in particular are encouraged to register.The South Coast region covers Minnamurra in the north to Lake Tabourie in the south.“Many athletes from this region have gone on to compete at Aussie titles and World Juniors, such as Keira Buckpitt from Ulladulla Boardriders. I would encourage every young surfer to enter this event via the Surfing NSW portal,” says Jo Collinge, who has recently taken on the voluntary role of Surfing NSW Regional Director for the South Coast. “Numbers in each division are small, and Ocean and Earth are donating some great prizes,” she continues.Lani Cairncross, who went on to place third at Australian Titles after progressing through State Titles. Photo credit: Kirsten Cairncross.The 2024 NSW Regional Series serves as the initial pathway to the 2024 NSW State Titles Junior Surf Series and the 2024 Australian Junior Titles.“Traditionally, this region has had a strong presence progressing to Aussie titles. Often, these surfers have had to work harder for that success because we don’t have access to elite coaches and opportunities that are available to Sydney and North Coast athletes,” says Collinge.Collinge has enjoyed putting on the event for three consecutive years with the help of Jones Beach Boardriders, where she previously served as secretary for the past eight years.“I’ve been driven to provide a professional event for our local surfers to test their surfing skills at an entry-level competition on their own beach,” she says. “Generally, surfers need to travel to Sydney and even further up the coast to Northern NSW to get a taste of competition surfing, which comes at quite a cost to parents for travel and accommodation.” Enter online at 2024 NSW Junior Regional Series (South Coast). Registrations close on Friday, 10 May at 5:00pm AEST.SponsorsSurfing South Coast is also looking for sponsors wishing to support surfing in the local community to ensure this event can continue in its current format for future years. “I want to continue to create and provide opportunities for young surfers that weren’t available to my kids five to six years ago, and build an inclusive community that provides equal access for surfers of all abilities,” Collinge explains.For more information, please contact: [email protected].

When you think of Venice, you might have idyllic images of gondolas cruising down the grand canal guided by Venetian men in striped shirts. This will not be the case for four local ladies who will be taking place in a 33-kilometre race around the islands of Venice. The Vogalonga (which is a Venetian expression for a ‘long rowing race’), has been organised yearly since 1974, when it began as a protest about the damage caused by motorboat traffic in the Venice lagoon. There are now 2000 non-motorised craft and over 7,000 participants taking part in the event. The big day is 19 th May.Four members of the Illawarra Dragon Boat Club: Heather McAlpine, Annie Boulton, Julie Campbell and Ann Harrison will be joining others to accept the challenge in a 20-person dragon boat. The other 16 paddlers come from Jindabyne, Moruya and Narooma Clubs. Going under the descriptive name of ‘Dragons Downunder’, they will be ready to wave the Australian flag in this race, open to all countries and all types of non-motorised boats. There’s such an array of rowing boats – Venetian and English styles along with dragon boats and kayaks. There are even SUPs!“International events bring such a dynamic mixture of training towards the goal. It’s an exciting time to be part of a team,” Heather says. “But there’s bonding and team camaraderie in any event. Each year we compete in the Lunar New Year Festival on Darling Harbour, and the Sydney International Regatta Centre. We also have interstate competitions.” But there are other local options for those interested in trying dragon boating. The club trains regularly on Lake Illawarra. “I’m such a nature lover, and most training sessions we get to see a massive black swan community in flight or just chilling around us, as well as egrets and pelicans. Although I don’t broadcast this loudly,” she says with a chuckle, “as we’re supposed to be focussed in the boat!”One of Heather’s annual dragon boating highlights is being part of the Shellharbour Festival of Sport. “This competition includes community teams, such as schools and sporting clubs. Last year, even our church in Kiama created a team,” she says.Anyone interested in finding out more, please visit the Illawarra Dragon Boat Club at www.idbc.org.au. 

A media release from the Office of Dr Sarah Kaine, Labor's Duty Member of the Legislative Council for Kiama, on 1 May announced the sporting groups in the Kiama electorate who have shared in $4.4 million in NSW Government funding, following the awarding of grants in the Local Sport Grant Program.The program provides up to $20,000 to individual clubs and associations, with $50,000 available in each electorate. The goal is to increase participation in community sport, with 579 projects awarded funding in this year’s program.“This funding will help our local sporting groups in Kiama and their army of volunteers to provide more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the benefits of sport and active recreation,” says Dr Kaine.Three projects were awarded funding in the Kiama Electorate for new equipment, programs and facilities: • Gerringong Bowling & Recreation Club, which received $6,494 to update the bowling greens and purchase bowls. • Kiama Cricket Club, which received $18,585 to renovate the cricket training pitch and net. • Shoalhaven City Archers Incorporated, which received $6,597 to cater for their growth.“With the critical role sport plays in keeping people healthy, active and socially connected, this funding is vital to community health, wellbeing and sense of identity,” says NSW Sports Minister, Steve Kamper.For further information, please visit: www.sport.nsw.gov.au/local-sport-grant-program.

Although grey clouds gathered at the horizon, the weather stayed nice, clear and (unusually) hot when Kiama Rugby took on Campbelltown in a heavyweight clash at the Kiama Showground on Saturday, April 27.“It’s the biggest side so far,” says Jack Smith, players rep for the Kiama Rugby Football Club. “There’s us, Shoalhaven, Campbelltown and Shamrocks.”He summarises the club’s track record against the Campbelltown Harlequins Rugby Club over the last couple of years as, “pretty good.”Yet, Campbelltown first grade came out strong from the get-go, scoring the first try. The team kept rolling. At half-time, Campbelltown held on to a narrow lead, thanks to two tries, two conversions and one penalty.But Kiama continued to hustle and chase, which eventually paid off. A fantastic conversion resulted in a Kiama 33 - Campbelltown 25 win to the roars of the crowd, which had picked up significantly during the first half. Tries for the first grade were: Elisha Leota, Mark Asquith, Mark Asquith, Mark Asquith and Manu Ahokovi.The Kiama second grade game featured some good running rugby, ending in a win for the home team and a final score of Kiama 56 - Campbelltown 7. “The second grade overall has gone through a massive improvement from last year,” says Smith.Tries for the second grade were: Joe Osbourne, Kadin Cowley, Kyle Hargreaves, Raynold Tafua, Filimoni Volau and Isaac Kaunicaramaki.Saturday, 4 May is a round four bye.

The 2024 netball season officially kicked off on Saturday, 26 April in great company, with new president Michelle Gregory, former president Rhonda Beedles and lifetime member Karon Dawson at courtside. (Dawson started the Kiama Netball Association with Val Brunker in 1986. Unfortunately, Val couldn’t attend the President’s round as she wasn’t feeling well). Together, these women: Brunker, Dawson, Beedles and Gregory, represent close to 40 years of local netball. The three present for the President’s Round share their thoughts about the sport – the past, the present and the future. “I’ve been here from day 1,” Dawson says. “We’ve had stability over 40 years.” The association has been fortunate in having three wonderful presidents, she stresses.“Val laid the groundwork. It was really lucky that Rhonda took over and grew this further. The NSW government added a lot of restrictions and regulations. Rhonda helped us to become a member of the South Coast Blaze, which plays in the premier league in Sydney. She was instrumental in that. Michelle has newly taken over, and already put through some innovative things.”  Outgoing president Rhonda Beedles held the office for nine years. Before that, she had 23 years on the committee and was involved with her club for seven years. “My oldest one asked to play. The coach asked if I could manage. I started coaching and then got an admin role in the association,” she says. “I’m one of those people who like to help. It’s much more to volunteering - not just work. It’s a lot of fun.”She’s been president for nine years.“It’s great to have a new president taking over the reins. Taking over social media and all those aspects. We have to modernise. Keep up with the times.”What is new president Michelle Gregory looking forward to? “That’s a big question,” she says with a smile. “Just getting the girls back on the court and having fun.”Gregory’s been in Kiama for seven years and became involved with the local netball community when she started as a registrar. “I love the sport. My daughter loves the sport,” she says.

A jam-packed Kiama Bowling Club hosted the 2024 season launch of the Kiama Central Netball Club in the evening of Friday, April 26. For any lover of netball, it was the place to be.Around 120 people – players, parents and siblings, sponsors, umpires, volunteers and committee members alike – came out to celebrate the new season, which officially began the following day (Saturday, April 27).“The girls are still getting to know each other. They’re in their teams but they haven’t met that much outside,” says a spokesperson for the club.Excited players gather for the season launch.Indeed, there was electrical buzz in the air, and hardly a single seat to come by. Friends and families happily caught up, passing around soft drinks and bowls of chips. A long line stretched out to the entrance, with people signing up to participate in the 100 Club and the lolly guessing competition. “For five years, I’ve been president of this amazing club. And we have over 150 players,” president of the club, Kelly Schofield, notes as she welcomes everyone. The 2024 season is about having fun, she says, and “obviously, we want to win.” The last line is met with cheers and laughter.What else is in store?The netball season runs right up until September, which is when both the semi-finals and the grand finals take place. Throughout the season, there’ll be a couple of events going on, such as a pie drive (a fundraiser for the club) on 20 May and a bingo-themed night on 10 August.The club also has a new home at the Kiama Bowling Club.Devrat Rathore, Shaambhavi Rathore and Vertika Rathore from Penny Whistlers.“The bowling club is a new sponsor. They’ve just come aboard this year, and that’s why we’re having our season launch here,” says a spokesperson for the club.One of the bowling club’s goals is to sponsor community sports, underlines Wayne Richardson, board member of the Kiama Bowling Club, as he takes to the floor.“I’ve been involved with a lot of sports. You can’t beat team sports. You make lifelong friendships,” he says. “I don’t have any girls, just two boys,” Richardson adds.“You just got a 100 new girls,” someone jokes with him.All of the club’s existing sponsors have come on board again for this year: the Kiama Rotary Club, BaiMed, First National Coast & Country Real Estate, Penny Whistlers, The Pines, and Gerringong Storage. “It’s fabulous,” the club’s spokesperson says. Wayne Richardson from the Kiama Bowling Club and Kiama Central Netball Club president Kelly Schofield.Finally, the club wishes, “all the girls the best of luck through the season. And, thank all of our volunteers because we got around 30 volunteers in the club.”“Plus the mums and the dads that cheer us on each week. A thank you to all of those people because obviously without them these things don’t happen.”

KIAMA POWER JUNIOR AFLUNDER 15 BOYSKIAMA 85 d WOLLONGONG LIONS 21

KIAMA POWER JUNIOR AFLUNDER 15 GIRLS WOLLONGONG LIONS 26 d KIAMA POWER 16

KIAMA POWER JUNIOR AFLUNDER 11 MIXEDWOLLONGONG LIONS 88 d KIAMA POWER 0

KIAMA POWER JUNIOR AFLUNDER 11 GIRLSKIAMA 150 d WOLLONGONG LIONS 0

KIAMA POWER JUNIOR AFLUNDER 9 BOYSKIAMA POWER PLAAYED WOLLONGONG LIONS

KIAMA POWER JUNIOR AFLUNDER 9 GIRLS KIAMA POWER PLAYED FIGTREE

KIAMA JUNIOR KNIGHTS UNDER 16 GIRLS TACKLEKIAMA KNIGHTS 30 d CORRIMAL 12

KIAMA JUNIOR NETBALLJUNIOR AGERRINGONG 25 d BEACHETTES 10

KIAMA JUNIOR NETBALLJUNIOR A BERRY 37 d GERRINGONG 7

KIAMA JUNIOR NETBALLINTERMEDIATE BBEACHETTES VS CENTRAL

KIAMA JUNIOR NETBALLKANGAROOSBEACHETTES VS BERRY