THEY are resilient, lionhearted, reliable and widely respected and perform each game with little fanfare. Every team has them, the dedicated bunch with top-class attitudes that fly under the radar and refuse to let their teammates down in a gripping contest. Meet tireless warriors Ryan Marsall, Liam Keating, Sam Rocher, Dan Arnfield

NELSON Bay Rugby Club are on the Hunter Suburban Rugby Mens premiership prowl. The much vaunted Gropers achieved the first part of a potential 2024 quinella when they edged out Newcastle Griffins 17-14 last Saturday at Dangar Park to wrap up the minor title. In a torrid encounter the depleted Nelson Bay

A NEWCASTLE Under 16 Boys representative side, led by Medowie FC Head Coach Matt Morris, took out the Northern NSW Community State Youth Championships last month. The Newcastle team, which included an array of Port Stephens talent, toppled Hunter Valley in a penalty shootout to lift the prestigious trophy at

PORT STEPHENS’ emerging junior football talent have featured prominently in this year’s Northern NSW Football Community State Youth Championship campaign. Thirty-five of the region’s up and coming prospects represented Newcastle with distinction at the prestigious annual tournament staged at the Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility. Newcastle were crowned the premier region for

RISING prospect Olivia McLoughlin stamped her mark at this year’s inaugural Tilligerry Junior Tennis Open staged at Tanilba Bay. Twelve-year-old McLoughlin was one of three outstanding products from the Hunter region to claim singles titles in their respective divisions. She underlined her potential by downing fellow Tilligerry local Chelsea Wood in the

A REJUVENATED Northern Hawks rugby league team are celebrating back-to-back victories in the Newcastle Rugby League Denton Engineering Cup series. Spearheaded by eighteen-year-old rookie five eighth Tiamana Elers, the Hawks toppled Lakes United Seagulls 28-18 last Saturday at Tomaree Sports Ground. In a courageous team effort the Northern warriors produced a rousing

CHAMPION Medowie dancer Kyara Darcy looks set to achieve her lifetime dream. As well as excelling in the performing arts at an elite level, the gifted Port Stephens student shares a passion for teaching. Nineteen-year-old Kyara, who has been dancing at Medowie’s Dance ‘n Dazzle Studio since the age of two, will

NELSON Bay rugby dynamo Will Dunn has reached another special milestone in the Hunter Suburban Mens Rugby competition. The Gropers trump card etched his name in the record books after bagging an incredible five tries in the club’s emphatic 76-0 victory over Muswellbrook last weekend at Bill Strong Oval. Local rugby enthusiasts

FEARLESS forward Zion Takarua is big in stature and big on courage and regarded as one of the toughest players to ever lace on a boot with the Nelson Bay Rugby Club. With his blockbusting runs and leadership qualities, the giant prop has proved a valuable member of the Gropers’ champion

POWERHOUSE flanker Ryan Marshall is the latest young gun off Nelson Bay Rugby Club’s forward production line to make an impact in the Hunter Suburban Mens rugby series. The talented back rower showed why the Gropers are favoured to secure this year’s President’s Cup premiership trophy after producing another non-stop performance