Courtney a trail blazer for junior soccer
Courtney Haddrell is a full-time working mum married to husband Matt and mother of two active soccer loving boys, Cohen, 11, and Carter, aged eight years old.
Supporting her boys each week at training and on game days it seemed natural for her to become further involved in their sport
In 2021, Courtney was elected to the Cobram Junior Soccer Association Committee led by president Mario Pardo and this year was asked to take over the leadership role as first woman president when Mario made the decision to step down.
With enrolment in the vicinity of 256 last year, the association is keen to maintain these strong levels to enable as many youngsters as possible to train and learn the game each Saturday morning from 9.30am at Apex Reserve.
The children will be divided into age levels by the end of the month to play in the 2023 season’s competition which runs from May until August.
Young soccer players from Finley, Tocumwal and Yarrawonga also travel to Cobram to play in the competition.
Catering for both boys and girls up to 12 years of age, in the past two years the association has also set up an all girls competition for under-8 and under-12.
Alongside this there is an under-5 development program where the youngsters have lots of fun while gaining skills with the ball.
The role of Cobram Junior Soccer Association president has it pressures, requiring serious organisation of hundreds of children, team managers, coaches and referees.
If any parents or senior players have time to spare it would be appreciated greatly by Courtney and the committee. Junior sport is part of family life and as such we all need to play our role.
Costs for children to take part in sports is constantly increasing and adding pressure to family budgets to the point where parents are forced to put a limit on the number of sports their children become involved in.
Soccer, recognised as a non-contact sport, appeals to many young children and perhaps instrumental in why so many are keen to take up the sport.
Sponsors too, give what they can to assist the young players and recently eight incredibly generous local businesses sponsored fabulous playing tops for the hundreds of very proud youngsters to wear each week.
“We are extremely grateful to these sponsors for their generosity in sponsoring the playing tops, they look fantastic and the kids just love them!’’ Courtney said.
Young Cohen Haddrell, 11, has stepped up to play under-12s with Cobram Roar and looks to referee some junior games soon, younger brother Carter plays in under-8s on a Saturday morning at Apex Reserve, while mum Courtney and her committee oversee the hundreds of enthusiastic youngsters who just love their soccer.
Ukuladies put smiles on residents’ faces
Irvin House residents were treated to a special afternoon last week when they were entertained by the fun loving and talented band the Ukuladies.
The band members delight in sharing their love of music and thrilled their audience with a wonderful selection of good old-fashioned music.
Strumming their ukuleles and banjoleles, the Ukuladies performed favourites from the 1960s to 1980s including numbers from popular singer of the time Connie Francis and songs such as Brian Hyland’s unforgettable hit Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini which residents just loved as they clapped their hands, tapped their feet and sang along in utter delight.
Keen to take to the dance floor, resident Gordon, found a willing dance partner in Irvin House volunteer Joan Byham when the group played several rock’n’roll numbers and Gordon showed he has certainly not lost his flair on the dance floor.
The happy smiles on the faces of residents during the afternoon was a delight to see and hopefully the Ukuladies will be back again soon. A delicious afternoon tea rounded off the afternoon beautifully.
Note: The 12-member band, the Ukuladies play a variety of instruments including percussion, washboard, lagerphone, glockenspiel and of course the ukulele and banjolele, formed five years ago after meeting at line dancing.
Practising every Monday at Bourke’s Hotel in Yarrawonga, they entertain at aged care facilities in Yarrawonga, Numurkah, Cobram, Tocumwal and Berrigan together with Probus clubs, Helping Hands, senior citizens groups and the Youanmite Hall, to great acclaim.
Strathmerton Lions celebrate 50 years of giving
Strathmerton is considered to be a relatively small town but it certainly has a big heart and the hard working Strathmerton Lions Club is giving back to their community for their ongoing generous support throughout the past 50 years by providing a special free day for everyone on Easter Monday (April 10) at Lions Park.
From 11am until 2pm, there will be fun times for young and old and goodies to be enjoyed, with a jumping castle, Easter bunny with eggs for the kids, junior Easter bonnet competition and parade, fairy floss, popcorn, snow cones, soft drinks and a barbecue, together with a coffee van and great musical entertainment.
There will be a detailed history board of the past 50 years complete with photographs showcasing many of the successful events hosted during their long history and bound to rekindle some great memories.
The day is totally free, so come along with your families and have a great day out at Strathmerton.
Easter River Beaches Festival this Sunday
Thompson’s Beach is the scene of the 2023 Easter River Beaches Festival with an anticipated crowd of between 1000 to 2000 people ready to enjoy a festive day out and cheer on their rubber duckies as they swim or float from the Barooga/Cobram bridge down the Murray River to the finish line in the events major drawcard — the Easter River Beaches Duck Race to be held this Sunday, April 9. The duck race began 15 years ago.
The day offers lots of fun activities for the kids including face painting, a jumping castle and a sand castle competition on the beautiful sandy beach.
Our Wildlife Warriors from Dutch Thunder Wildlife Rescue will be there and there’s musical entertainment from Dave Daly.
The Beach Café will be open for the first time since the devastation of last year’s floods’ which is fantastic to see — some great food will be on offer on the day.
If you are still looking to buy one of the 2000 tickets available in the duck race which begins at 3pm on the day, they can be purchased from Noonans Jewellers and are $5 each or 3 tickets for $10.
First prize is $1000, second prize $300 and third prize is $100.
Hosting the event is Cobram Barooga Business and Tourism led by president Nicky Goldsworthy.