17 clubs, 285 players and as many spectators were present at Tom Clyburn Oval in Canowindra on Saturday to attempt to win the Western Challenge League Tag trophy. The Parkes Space Cats were keen to impress this year against some stiff competition from Orange CYMS , Bathurst St Pats and Orange Hawks, all previous winners.

The Space Cats were placed in pool A alongside Eugowra Golden Eagles, Lithgow Workies and Canowindra Tigresses. In their first match the Space Cats purred their way to victory, defeating Eugowra Golden Eagles 20-0. Their second game was more difficult but the Space Cats again came away with the win against the Canowindra Tigresses, 8-6. It was third time lucky against the Lithgow Workies as the Parkes ladies again had a convincing win, 14-4.

In the semi-final Parkes Space Cats faced off against Bathurst St Pats and although they showed great skill St Pats secured the win 10-2. The final saw Bathurst St Pats head off against Orange Hawks. Hawks had looked sensational all day but just couldn’t crack St Pats in the decider and Bathurst were crowned the winners with a 4-0 victory.

The Parkes team did extremely well to make it to the semis and Sally Dwyer made a huge amount of tags. Space Cat Ell Harris was also recognised as one of the top 5 players in the tournament, well done Ell.

Player of the tournament was awarded to Mish Somers from St Pats. A special mention goes to the referees who had extremely high standards and gave their time on the day. The standard of League Tag in the Western Region is improving every season and all teams should be congratulated.

Parkes Golf Club will once again be the venue for this Friday’s Australian Indoor Marbles Championships with Griffins Leading Edge once again the major sponsor. The championships will kick off at 7pm and teams will compete in round matches and final eliminations to determine the 2016 Australian Indoor Marbles Champion team.

Defending Champions ‘Money Shots’ will once again be the team to beat and if training and practice have anything to do with results the defending titleholders will be one of the favourites. However, last year’s runners up the ‘Bull Sharks’ surprised everyone with their talent and ability last year so it could be anyone’s game. Other teams
that could excel include former champions ‘Lords of the Rink’, ‘Ball Throwers’, ‘Langlands Longhorns’ and the ‘GLE Techspurts’ with the food service central team ‘All Stars’ out to redeem themselves after last year’s debacle of sacking their manager.

Other teams likely to challenge in the exciting evening will be the Parkes Tourism girls capably led by Captain Katrina Dwyer. Organisers of this year’s event are expecting a larger than normal field to contest the title. Parkes Golf Club House President, Ross Smith, stated that his board of directors were behind the event and congratulated everyone for their dedication. “This is now one of the premier events of the town and clubs social calendar” he said, “for patrons who do not wish to play the entertainment value is second to none.” Mr Smith also
praised long time sponsor Griffins Leading Edge for their support and commitment to the championships, notably the tireless work put in by their Managing Director, Peter Magill. Teams will consist of four players with female team members awarded with a one marble start. Team registration is $40 with all proceeds going towards the Parkes branch of Can Assist.

There will also be prize money up for grabs for the winning and best dressed teams and food will be available from the club snack bar.

Hockey fans in Parkes are enjoying their grounds’ new status of being in the ‘Global Elite’ this week thanks to the hard work of local organisations. The two pitches (Polytan and TigerTurf) have both been listed in a group of just seven providers worldwide that have been certified as being the ultimate in hockey terrain by the International
Hockey Federation (FIH). Dusty Powter, member of Parkes Hockey Incorporated (PHI), says; “If you haven’t been over to have a look at our new field do it soon, it’s going up fast! It’s exciting and gratifying to see it coming together after so many years of hard work by so many people who have partnered with us. 2016 will be a great year for Parkes Hockey!” Organisations that have been powering this new development include the PHI and the Turf Committee, which was established around 11 years ago.

For over a decade the Turf Committee’s vision has been to only have world class facilities and this latest analysis
by the FIH is sure to be a wonderful endorsement and testament to the work the PHI and the Turf Committee have undertaken together with Parkes Shire Council. Parkes will now lay claim to two of the best pitches in the world (the same pitches that are used in the World Cup and the Olympics) and can host elite matches and tournaments.
Not bad for a rural community!

This Wednesday more than 100 people took part in the annual combined swimming carnival for disability services in the Western region. “It is just a fun day for everyone,” said David Parker of Currajong Disability Services. Looking around at the smiling faces soaking up the atmosphere of the Parkes pool with the aroma of a sausage sizzle filling the air, we can see what he means. The 120 swimmers ventured from Forbes, Cowra, Mudgee, Parkes, Condobolin, Orange, Bathurst and Dubbo for the day. “We are so thrilled with the response we’ve had this year! We also have over 50 staff coming from different disability service providers around NSW, which is just fantastic,” Jodie Turner, swimming carnival organiser, wrote on the Currajong Disability Services website.

Participants took part in a variety of events, such as assisted and unassisted freestyle, relays and novelty events, over
the whole length of the pool or just half a length. Every participant received a medal for their effort with a trophy awarded to the winning team. The Currajong team from Parkes was defending its title, but had to share the trophy with Cowra as both teams finished joint first.

It was the fourth year in a row the event was held in Parkes, “people like travelling here and enjoy our pool,” said David. He said it used to take place in Cowra, until Parkes offered to host it. Swimming is one of the many activities
offered to people making use of disability services. Other activities offered to the 51 local clients of Currajong Disability Services are sewing, cooking, lawn bowls, tennis, dancing, drama, karaoke, mosaics and ten pin bowling.

They also have a secure paper-shredding business. The day finished on a high, with free swimming for everyone.

On Saturday the squash teams entered the Dubbo Junior Open. Parkes should be very proud of their juniors and the effort and sportsmanship that was displayed. A huge thank you also goes out to some of the more experienced players from around the region who showed great support to some of the newer players. Well done!

On Friday, 19 February, 29 students from Parkes Public School travelled to Condobolin to compete in the Lachlan Swimming Carnival. Some fabulous results followed including personal bests by many students.

The following students will be representing at Dubbo at the Western carnival this Friday, 4th March as members of the Lachlan Swimming Team for 2016 : Meg Turner, Lucy Turner, Jordan Moody, Liam Moody, Ewan Moody, Harmih Turnbull, Joel MacGregor, Lucy Hall, Elizabeth MacGregor, Danielle Goodrick, Zoe Anderson and Maddison Mc-Cormick.

Many members of the swimming team have been training every day for many months and have shown great commitment and dedication to the sport. We wish them the best of luck on today.

DON’T FORGET! Soccer rego days are on the 5th, 12th and 19th March from 12-2pm @ Harrison park. Juniors under 6s- under 16s.