SOCCER
A Coaches Workshop on Skill Training and Game Training was held at Harrison Park last Thursday using an Under 14 squad. There were 10 coaches in attendance and the event ran very well. Oscar Gonzalez, the Football NSW Coach Education Manager, ran the Skill Training Workshop and demonstrated a model session on first touch. Players from the Parkes Football Club took part in the session. Earlier in the day there were 110 students from Parkes East and Middleton Public School at an AIA Vitality Mini-Roos School Gala Day plus another 25 students engaged in a training session in the afternoon with Oscar and Andrew Fearnley who is the Regional Coach and Development Manager for Western NSW. Well done to all who took part!

SPACEMEN LADIES LEAGUE TAG
All 4 Spacemen grades versed Dubbo Macquarie in Dubbo on Sunday. League tag ladies began the day at 11am with Sally Dwyer opening the scoring in the first 2 minutes. Claire Barber had perfect lines all game with 10 attempts at goal, 6 of which were successful. Sally’s second try soon followed. Nat Gardiner crossed for her first and out wide on the wing Sam Cox crossed, taking the half time score to Parkes 22 Macquarie 0. The ladies didn’t let up in the second half with hard work from Sally Dwyer, Katie Caldwell, Emma Bailey, Demi-Joyce Winter, Sami Afele and Codie Wakefield allowing Nat McAneney to score a try. Emma Bailey didn’t stop while on field and was rewarded with a try half way through the second half as was Demi- Joyce not long after. Sally scored her third try after a half field sprint to end in a fantastic final score of Parkes 52 Macquarie 0.

UNDER 18’S
Jay Slavin opened the score followed by a successful kick by James Goonrey. In what seemed like a very drawn out first third Parkes scored their second try and extras was awarded to James Goonrey to make score at first drinks Parkes 12 Macquarie 4. Hard hits by Jay Slavin, Jye Dillon and Morgan Powter with support from Zac Gordon opened the second third. Bailey Jone made a getaway but couldn’t get a try for his hard work while Aaron Wykamp scored the Spacemen’s next try. Josh Amberge crossed next then followed Ethan Richards and Jye Dillon. James Goonrey converted all but one with the final score Parkes 34 Macquarie 18.

REGGIES
Under 18’s and first graders filled the numbers gap with some players taking part in all 3 grades. Billy-Joe Frances scored the Spacemen’s first points with a conversion by James Goonrey. The only other try of the match for Parkes was from Morgan Powter with a conversion from Luke Clarke. Although the final score was Macquarie 40 Parkes 12 Parkes delivered a good ‘never give up’ attitude.

FIRST GRADE
There was a minute silence to show respect and support to Captain and Coach Denis Moran at the passing of his grandmother before the game began. Macquarie were first to put points on the board eight minutes in. the Spacemen’s first points came from Sam Dwyer with a conversion from Cameron Standen. Parkes’ second try was Cameron Standen, kicked by Luke Clarke. Macquarie had now scored 4 trys to Parkes’ 2 making the half time score Macquarie 22 Parkes 12. The second half saw a great show of sportsmanship when Cameron Standen helped carry an injured Macquarie player from the field. First, second and third points of the second half went to Macquarie extending their lead to 38- 12 but the Spacemen got a second wind with a great chase down by Sam Dwyer and a try to Ethan McKeller and Cameron Standen for the two. Luke Clarke then went over the line with Cameron againgetting
the two.

Great run from Alex Proud and with 3 minutes to go Josh Van Der Stok got a try with Standen converting. Sam Dwyer has a run away and gets it over to bring the score to Parkes 34 Macquarie 38, a worthy comeback from the Spacemen but not quite enough for the win.

EUGOWRA RIFLE CLUB
The second round of the 2016 Eugowra Rifle Club Championship commenced from 300 yards last Saturday. 13 members took advantage of the favourable conditions. In F Class, Barry Plowman and Keith Hills each scored perfect 60’s on their way to 118 out of a possible total score of 120. David Jolly returned an excellent score of 99 and 14 central bulls out of a possible 100 in Full-bore after a lengthy run of underperforming scores.
F Class (possible 120)
Barry Plowman 58.3, 60.5 – 118.8
Keith Hills 60.4, 58.3 – 118.7
Peter Harris 56.3, 59.3 – 115.6
Jim Maloy 56.1, 59.1 – 115.2
Alan Noble 58.1, 55.4 – 113.5
Garry Livingstone 57.1, 56.3 – 113.4
Alistair Kable 55.1, 57.2 – 112.3
Tony Leonard 57.4, 54.2 – 111.6
Full Bore (possible 100)
David Jolly 49.7, 50.7 – 99.14
Steve Mitchell 44.1, 47.3 – 91.4
John Bray 44.1, 37.1 – 81.2
Margot Jolly 39.0, 36.0 – 75.0
Jan Bray 45.2 one stage only

This weekend sees the club championship continue from 500 yards. Shooting will commence from 1.30pm at the Eugowra range.

PARKES PUBLIC SCHOOL
On Tuesday the Public School netball team got ready to face off against Forbes Public School in the PSSA Knockout competition. The students have trained very hard and put in 110% effort at all times during the game. Although the team weren’t first past the post, going down 10-1, they all took away improvements to their game and actually managed to draw the second half of the game with the opposition. The school are very proud of the effort and sportsmanship the students showed and thought they were great ambassadors for Parkes Public School.

PARKES PCYC
PCYC will hold thier annual ‘time for kids’ fundraiser on the 16th April. The fundraiser will begin at 9am and end at 12pm and is located between Target and Coles. For anyone interested in raising money for a great cause please give the club a call on 6862 3825 or nominate someone to do time in a ‘mock-cell’ to raise money. The PCYC will also be having a bowls night at the Town Bowling Club beginning at 4pm until 8.30pm. Teams of four at $10 per player
and anyone wishing to watch is welcome.

PARKES EAST PUBLIC SCHOOL
Congratulations to all students who participated in the School Cross Country Carnival on Friday. Results are as follows:

5 Years Boys: 1st Cooper Kelly, 2nd Ethan Reeves, 3rd Kye Kinsella.
5 Years Girls: 1st Olivia Milligan, 2nd Daisy Larsen, 3rd Charlotte Layton.
6 Years Boys: 1st Max Murphy, 2nd Henry Kross, 3rd Matthew Goulthorpe.
6 Years Girls: 1st Quinn Kriedemann, 2nd Heidi Charlton, 3rd Ayesha Carruthers
7 Years Boys: 1st Tom Rix, 2nd Toby Thornberry, 3rd Jayden Kuun.
7 Years Girls: 1st Millie Bayliss-Cox, 2nd Lilly Gosper, 3rd Olivia Chambers.
8 Years Boys: 1st Brody Beuzeville, 2nd Harry Turner, 3rd Aksel Carroll.
8 Years Girls: 1st Daisy Dawson, 2nd Grace Dunford, 3rd Paige Reeves.
9 Years Boys: 1st Jack Milne, 2nd Alexander Chambers, 3rd Eli Constable.
9 Years Girls: 1st Abol Annai, 2nd Elly Thornberry, 3rd Chloe Murphy.
10 Years Boys: 1st Fraser Beaton, 2nd Dustin James, 3rd Charlie Dawson.
10 Years Girls: 1st Makayla Sloane, 2nd Shailey Butt, 3rd Madeline Blackstock.
11 Years Boys: (TIED) 1st Jackson Plummer & 1st Archie Rix, 3rd Braith Murray.
11 Years Girls: 1st Bria Constable, 2nd Mary Sladden, 3rd Georgia Hawken.
12/13 Years Boys: (TIED) 1st Harry Bayliss, 1st Mason Bayliss-Cox, 3rd Jasper Moore.
12/13 Years Girls: 1st Jordyn Murphy, 2nd Nia Boggs, 3rd Trudy Richardson.

A big thanks also goes to the parents and carers who were able to come along to the event, cheering on the students and assisting with the co-ordination of the event.

SOCCER
On Thursday, as part of the Football NSW Roadshow in Lachlan Association, FNSW staff Oscar Gonzalez and Andrew Fearnley were at Harrison Park in Parkes. Oscar Gonzalez (Coach Education Manager) ran a coaches workshop on skill training and game training using an under 14 squad and also ran under 9s and under 13s sessions. Details on how the sessions went will be available courtesy of Andrew in next week’s edition.

PARKES BOARS RUGBY UNION
The Boars are calling to anyone with information about a First Aid Kit that has gone missing from the container at Spicer Oval. If anyone is able to assist or knows of its whereabouts please call 0422 667 379. The First Aid Kit looks similar to the photo below.

Six members competed from 700 yards last Saturday at the Eugowra Rifle Range. With many members shooting elsewhere for the Easter holiday weekend, those few in attendance were confronted with some very challenging conditions. The wind was continually changing in strength and direction and at times was much too fast for competitors to adjust. This was reflected in the scores which were abnormally low.

Results were as follows;
F Class (telescopic sights, with rest) total possible score 120: Alistair Kable 52.5, 55.2 – 107.7; Jim Maloy 44.0, 53.1 – 97.1 Alan Noble 46.0, 49.3 – 95.3; David Budd 45.0, 28.0 – 73.0.

Full-Bore (open peep sights with sling off elbows) total possible score 100: David Jolly 45.1, 46.3 – 91.4; Jan Bray 46.2, 45.2 – 91.4.

This year the club has acquired electronic targets courtesy of the Orange Rifle Club, who were forced to relocate after their range was closed due to the routing of the new southern distributor. The new targets have brought several
advantages to members. Shooting can be completed more quickly as there is no need to wait for the target to be marked manually, this now happens electronically and is transmitted wirelessly to the mound pretty much instantaneously. As there is no need for members to mark targets in the ‘pits’ and rotate throughout the afternoon, this results in a considerable saving in time and labour. The club currently have two targets which are more than enough for up to 20 competitors during a normal Saturday competition. The club hopes to obtain
an additional two targets which will bring their total to 4 to accommodate additional shooters when they hold their annual prize meeting competitions for up to 50 competitors.

The club would like to extend an invitation to all Full-Bore and Scoped shooters to come and try the new electronic targets. The club shoots at ‘Sunnyside’ just south east of the Eugowra village. Members compete at ranges starting at 300 yards and extending to 800 yards every Saturday commencing at 1.30pm.

This weekend the final range of Round 1 will be 800 yards and shooters will return to 300 yards for the commencement of round 2 the following weekend.

Northparkes Mine and the Parkes Sports Council have announced the successful applicants from the first round of the Sports Grants Funding Programme for 2016. Successful applicants included:

Parkes Tennis Club received $6000 towards an undercover outdoor coaching area.
Parkes Golf Club received $3000 for the supply and installation of 13 ladies tee signs.
Parkes Junior Hockey received $2975 for the purchase of goalie kits.
PCYC Gymnastics received $5240 for the purchase of a gymnastics harness.
Peak Hill Swimming Club received $2000 towards the purchase of embroidered towels and installation of shelving.
Parkes Bowling and Sports Club received $2000 towards the purchase of 4 sets of kids’ bowls.

Sports Grants Committee Chairman, Alan Gersbach, expressed his delight that a good selection of projects were received for this round and that most of them received a piece of the funding pie, which is provided annually by Northparkes Mine. Elysha Loiterton, Northparkes Community and External Relations Officer also stated that Northparkes Mine was pleased to be associated with the successful program, which is now in its fourth year. “ I would like to thank all the organisations that have applied for the grants” she said. She also stated that she was pleased that Northparkes Mine was able to assist these projects. In total $21,215 in grants were distributed and the next round of grants will open in June this year, with a total of $12,550 available to be given to the community.

Two new teams took first and second place at Australia’s one and only indoor marbles championships held in Parkes last Friday. Balls Deep surprised everyone by taking the honours in the 32nd year of the competition, with the Gootons coming second.

Eight teams entered for the Australian Indoor Marbles Championships at the Parkes Golf Club and competed in round matches and final eliminations. The aim of the night is to not only carry on a tradition that started with the celebration of the Parkes centenary, but for the team members and spectators to have fun too. In addition, Can Assist benefits from this quirky tradition, with almost $1000 raised from team entries and raffle ticket sales. Organiser
of the event Paul Thomas said the idea of playing indoor marbles was first tried out with the centenary celebrations. “It has now become a time honoured event and a fixed item on the Parkes yearly calendar, and forms part of the NSW Government tourism attractions.”

Teams have travelled from as far as Sydney to compete in previous competitions. Paul explained that the game
had to be altered slightly from the oncepopular childhood game when the aim was to knock marbles into a hole. “Playing it indoors meant we changed it to knocking the marbles out of a ring.” Each player uses a ‘Tom’ and the idea is to knock the smaller marbles out of the centre of the ring. The four players in each team take a turn and they keep on playing until all the marbles are knocked out of the middle. The one with the most marbles at the end is the winner.

Peter Magill of Griffins Leading Edge, the major sponsor, said it was a good night with a new team winning the title.