AllWomenSport.com
Australian sports news & lifestyle

* Home * What's new * Sports index * Features * My story * Employment * New products * Archives & downloads * Coming events *Links * The trade * Fitness & health * Editorial * About us * Letters * Return to main Guidomedia index

What's new
Stuff we've added recently
Sports index
Pick your favourite
Features
A good read
My story
The people you meet
Employment
Get a job
New products
Gadgets and gear
Archives & downloads
Try our library
Coming events
Get out there!
Links
Clubs & contacts
The trade
Where to buy stuff
Fitness & health
Editorial
About us
Letters

Weather
Streetmap

Our other mags
Main Guidomedia index
Guidomedia
AllFlying

News archive, September 2005

Click to return to our archives

Porter wins Deadly award (Sept 23)
Australian softball player, Stacey Porter, has taken top honours as female sportsperson of the year at the 2005 Deadly Vibe Awards in Sydney, September 22.
The 11th annual event is the only national Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander awards to recognise significant achievement in sport, music, arts and the community.
In 2004, 22-year-old Porter won NSW softballer of the year and became the first indigenous player to compete in an Olympic Games - an experience she said was a professional highlight.
“Being named in the Australian team is the biggest highlight of my career. It's been my goal ever since I made my first representative side (in 1997),” she said.
Porter debuted for Australia in 2000 before being offered the chance to study and play softball in the United States at the University of Hawaii, where she lived for three years.
She represented Australia in the 2003 Canada Cup, the 2003 Hobart International tri-series, and the 2004 Blacktown International Softball Challenge.
Top performances at these competitions earned her selection for the 2004 Athens Olympic squad - a team that made history when it came second to the US and secured the highest placing of an Australian women's softball team at the Olympics.
Softball Australia recently announced Porter as a finalist in their 2005 Awards of Excellence in the Australian female softballer of the year category
Other Deadly award recipients included Australian Idol winner, Casey Donovan, and premiership-winning AFL footballer, Michael O'Loughlin.
By Katrina Putker

Molik loses first-round at the China Open (September 22)
Alicia Molik's 2005 season has had another setback in Beijing this week with a first-round loss at the China Open on Monday.
Molik was seeded fifth for the tournament but lost to unseeded Mariana Diaz-Olivia of Argentina.
Molik won the first set in a tiebreaker, but could not hold out the Argentinean who took the last two sets (7-6 and 6-4) to secure the match.
It was the second week in a row that the two women met, with Molik winning last weeks clash at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Event but falling in the second round to Ukrainian Alona Bondarenko.
Molik had a stellar start to the 2005 season, winning her sixth career title at Sydney and reaching the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam event for the first time at the Australian Open.
But Molik's season soon deteriorated when she suffered an inner ear infection that forced her to miss the French Open and Wimbledon.
Molik has been struggling to find form since and the China Open is only the fourth tournament since June where Molik has competed.  
In other news, no.4 seed Serena Williams has also bowed out of the China Open.
Williams lost to No.127 ranked wild-card entry Sun Tiantian 6-2, 7-6.
The win was the first Top-ten Victory of Tiantian's career and she now advances into only her second career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour quarter-final.
Tiantian said she had to stay focused the entire match whilst playing against the defending champion.
"Before the match, I was just saying don't be nervous," she told WTA.
"Keep thinking smart on the court. Concentrate hard during the entire match. I think I must have done something right," she said .
By Jacqueline Scott
Visit Molik's page at the WTA

Grigorieva wins final meet of year! (September 22)
Australian pole-vaulter Tatiana Grigorieva has finished the international season on a high with a win in the last comp of the year, a Grand Prix Athletics meet in Yokahama, Japan. The win capped off a successful but hectic week for Grigorieva, who competed in Japan just two days after jumping a Commonwealth Games Qualifying height of 4.3m in China. Last week she also cleared 4.3m to win a competition in Italy. Grigorieva won with a jump of 4.1m in a count-back from Jillian Schwarz of the USA, while Japan's Ikuko Nishikori finished third. The win also means she retains her All Corners Record, set in 2001; an achievement she is very proud of. “I love competing in Japan and am so happy to end the International season with a win and being able to retain my record is great,” she said. Grigorieva will now return home to begin training for March's Commonwealth Games, saying “These last couple of results have been great preparation for the Commonwealth Games next year in Melbourne.” World-record holder Yelena Isinbayeva failed to register a jump after three times failing to clear her opening height of 4.5m. Isinbayeva, who has broken the world record eight times this year, blamed tiredness for her failure, the first time in her career she has failed to clear a height.
By Sally Browne
Grigorieva's biography

More on Grigorieva...

On the comeback trail (September 22)
Olympic silver medallist Tatiana Grigorieva has confirmed a much anticipated return to form in the women's Pole by winning the IAAF Athletic Grand Prix in Yokohama with a jump of 4.10m.
Grigorieva defeated World Champion Yelena Isinbayeva, who failed to record a height. The victory comes at the end of the northern hemisphere's athletic season which has been instrumental in Grigorieva's return to form late in her career.
In August, Grigorieva made the final of the World Championships in Helsinki - her first world-class performance since winning the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth Games event and her memorable silver medal jump at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Grigorieva's Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games tilt was also given a major boost by her late season form when she jumped a Commonwealth A Qualifying distance of 4.35m at the Shanghai Grand Prix held two days prior to the Yokohama meet.
Whilst Grigorieva finished sixth in Shanghai and twelfth at the World Championships, these performances are an enormous improvement on an injury ridden past three years and her failure to make a national team since the 2002 Manchester Games.
Firming now as one of the favourites for the Melbourne event, Grigorieva has indicated her intention to continuously improve and asserts that her once glamorised and public career is far from over.
"I just love it too much. I still haven't jumped my best jumps yet and that's one of the feelings that's not letting me quit," Grigorieva said.
"I just want to experience what it feels like to clear the bar at 4.60, 4.70 and maybe 4.80.”
By Leah Bound
Athletics Australia web

WNBL gears up (September 22)
The WNBL is gearing up for its 26th season, with the pre-season tournament completed and the season-proper tipping off next Friday night, September 30, with the match between the Adelaide Fellas and the Townsville Fire.
Six of the competitions eight teams competed in the pre-season matches, which were played over four days in Sale last week, with Sydney Uni and Townsville not taking part. Making up for their absence, however, was the New Zealand national team, who won only one of their six matches, in an ominous sign for their Commonwealth Games chances.
Adelaide and the Bulleen Boomers are looking like the early favourites for the WNBL championship, both getting through their four matches undefeated. The two teams will face off in round two of the WNBL season, at the Veneto Club in Bulleen, on Saturday, October 8.
The WNBL hopes to continue the success it has enjoyed success over recent years, and will continue to lead the way in terms of sporting apparel, with their unique ultra mesh body-fitted singlets and shorts, which are designed specifically for the female body and resist fading as well as helping to evaporate perspiration.
Basketball Australia's Chief Executive Scott Derwin said at the season launch last week, “This season the WNBL will look to build upon the success of previous seasons that have seen great crowds and sell-out finals. We want to build our presence in the media and will be working with the ABC to grow the audiences of the ABC's Saturday afternoon Game of the Week.”
The WNBL tips off on Friday, September 30, at 7:30 in Adelaide, and the following days match between Bulleen and Sydney Uni can be seen on ABC-TV that afternoon.
By Sam Ryan
WNBL website

Davenport back on winners list (September 22)
World number two, Lindsay Davenport has returned to form after an early exit in the US Open, winning the Wismilak International in Bali by defeating Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-2, 6-4. Davenport made the victory her fourth title of 2005 and 49th of her career.
Davenport admitted that it was a tough schedule to play four weeks of tennis in a row, but she was happy with her overall performances. “I've played a lot of matches in the last few weeks and I felt this whole week was a success,” Davenport said. “I've won every match in straight sets and it's not always easy to win when you're expected to win.”
Despite a fight back early on in the second set from Schiavone, Davenport managed to hold on and eventually emerge victorious over her tenacious opponent. “The balls were definitely coming more harder and deeper and she wasn't really allowing me to be inside the baseline as much as I was in the first set,” Davenport said. “But I'm happy to come out with a victory.”
Schiavone was gracious in defeat and recognised that she was simply outclassed on the day. A few missed opportunities really hurt the Italian, but once she was off to a slow start then was no return. “The start was not so wonderful because it's difficult to feel how she plays, but in the second set I was there,” Schiavone said. “It's ok, maybe next time I can do a little more to try to win the most important points.”
“In the second set I tried to serve better and do better with my return and make her play what she doesn't want. I tried to run faster, but it's hard when she hits the ball with such good timing.”
Davenport's countrywoman, Meghann Shaugnessy and German partner Anna-Lena Groenefeld won the doubles title 6-3, 6-3, over the Chinese pairing of Zi Yan and Jie Zheng.
By Stephen Ritchie
Tournament site http://wismilaktennis.com/

Melbourne to host gymnastics World Championships (September 22)
Over 400 gymnasts from 56 countries are coming to Victoria to compete in the 2005 artistic gymnastics championships from 21-27 November at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park.
The event is conducted by Gymnastics Australia with support from the International Federation of Gymnastics (FIG) and coincides with the international gymnastics conference in Melbourne from 24-29 November.
“We are thrilled to have nearly 1000 athletes and officials from all corners of the globe competing in Melbourne,” organising committee chairman, Murray Chessell said.
Australia will compete against thirteen fellow nations including China, Spain, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia, Ukraine and the USA. Countries have until 31 October to submit individual names for the men's and women's competitions.
With four women's qualification times scheduled, Australian gymnasts will feature in all but one of the sessions and are delighted with the outcome of the draw.
Artistic qualifications will be held on Wednesday 23, the all around competition on Friday 25, and the apparatus finals on Saturday 26 November.
17-year-old Athens Olympian, Monette Russo, will lead the Australian Championships team including Victorian club mate and fellow Olympian Karen Nguyen, AIS gymnast Monique Blount and Perth bolter Olivia Vivian.
Russo gained automatic selection in the team after a standout trials performance on 19-20 September.
Long-time national gymnastic coach, Peggy Liddick, said of Russo, “She did good…But there's definitely eight weeks of preparation to go.”
Victorian Public tickets for all sessions went on sale on 11 July and the organising committee was thrilled with the reaction.
“The gymnastics community is clearly very excited about the championships…As we expected the women's all around and both apparatus finals have sold very strongly and we would expect they will sell out before the championships,” he said.
World Championships bronze medallist, Allana Slater, will act as an official ambassador for the event following her recent retirement from international competition.
It is only the second time in history the event has been held in the Southern Hemisphere, with Brisbane hosting the championships in 1994.
The 2006 Championships will be held in Aarhus, Denmark followed by Stuttgart, Germany in 2007.
By Katrina Putker
Gymnastics Australia web

The Best of the Best for Beach Volleyball (September 22)
The top eight women's teams will be at Queens Beach in Waikiki for the AVP Honolulu Best of the Beach competition, on October 1 and 2, to see who really is the best of the beach. The winner from the competition will be taking home with them $200,000 in prize money. In order to be invited to the competition, the six best finishes from each team earned during the 2005 AVP season were calculated. Top seed for Hawaii are Misty May-Traenor and Kerri Walsh, followed by second seed Rachel Wacholder and Elaine Youngs. The complete list of invites and seeding are as follows:
1. Misty May-Traenor and Kerri Walsh
2. Rachel Wacholder and Elaine Youngs
3. Holly McPeak and Jen Kessy
4. Mimi Marins and Tati Minello
5. Tyra Turner and Makare Wilson
6. Dianne DeNecochea and Tammy Leibl
7. Carrie Busch and Leanne McSorley
8. Brooke Niles and Sarah Straton
The tournament will follow a double elimination format.
By Nataskia van Dam
Tournament website

Belinda Clark retires (September 22)
Australian Captain Belinda Clark has announced her retirement from all forms of cricket after 118 One Day Internationals and 15 Tests.
Clark holds the record for the most runs in One Day International Cricket and is the only player -male or female- to score a double century in the short form of the game. She is also Australia's leading run scorer in test cricket.
Her announcement follows Australia's recent Ashes series loss to England.

Monarchs Reign WNBA (September 22)
Sacramento Monarchs depth and defence secured victory over the Connecticut suns 62 - 59 at ARCO arena to seal the 2005 WNBA championship in game four of the play offs.
"Defence was the difference for the Monarchs. That is what got them here. They were able to maintain it all season and that is what is most impressive. You never really saw anyone let up. The Monarchs just stuck with their game plan, which was to play hard and use their depth" said Geno Auriemma, Coach, University of Connecticut and ABC analyst. The monarchs earned a split on the road and returned to Sacramento needing to win the next two games to take the championship in front of a home crowd.  
"To be able to win it at home and enjoy our family and friends... for this city that's never seen a title... it's a great feeling!"   said Kara Lawson, a late inclusion to starters for the Sacramento Monarchs.
Star centre, Yolanda Griffith powered the Monarchs out of a   31 - 25 halftime disadvantage, scoring 10 of her 14 points after the break.  
Always at the top of the scorers board in the play offs, Griffith was named the Finals MVP.
"Yolanda deservingly received the MVP," said John Whisenant, coach of the Monarchs with nothing but praise for the rock solid centre who averaged 18.5 points and 9.8 rebounds in the series.   
Whisentant, with an clear majority of the votes was named WNBA coach of the year.  
Series results
Gm. 1: SAC 69, CON 65
Gm. 2: CON 77, SAC 70 (OT)
Gm. 3: SAC 66, CON 55
Gm. 4: SAC 62, CON 59
By Jesse Bilkey
WNBA


Jackson nominated for sportswoman of the year (September 21)
The American women's sports foundation has named Australian basketball player, Lauren Jackson, as a nominee for the 2005 sportswoman of the year awards to be held on October 17 at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria, New York.
The 26th annual event honours those women whose performance over a twelve-month period has been exceptional. The criteria for nomination is based on new records achieved and world championships won.
In July 2003, Jackson received an ESPY (Excellence in Sports Award Yearly) for Best WNBA Player and she remains the youngest and second fastest woman in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career points.
“Where do you start with LJ?” said Jackson's coach, Anne Donovan, “She keeps getting better. Her desire gets greater and greater.”
“It's what drives her that sets her apart,” Donovan continued, “There's no better player to coach for me. It's a coach's dream to have somebody like that.”
Jackson is among six women contending for the team sportswoman title including: Kristen Kjellman (lacrosse), Misty May-Treanor & Kerri Walsh (beach volleyball), Krissy Wendell (hockey), Cat Osterman (softball), and Ogonna Nnamani (volleyball).
An individual sportswoman will also named at the prestigious dinner, as well as international women's sports hall of fame inductees, the Billie Jean King contribution award winner, and the Wilma Rudolph courage award winner.
These titles are given to female athletes who have shown personal athletic courage, ability and determination in their chosen sport.
In 2004, the event brought together over 100 of the most celebrated female athletes together with celebrities from film and television, and raised close to $1 million for grassroots programming for girls and women's sports.
The annual awards event has been run by the women's sports foundation since 1980 when tennis champion, Tracy Austin, was named the first individual sportswoman of the year.
By Katrina Putker

Exercise relieves stress -- report (September 21)
In a resent study The American Council on Exercise (ACE), has found that exercise has a direct causal relation in actually helping relieve some of the symptoms of stress.
The study has come at a time of great despair and anxiety due to the revenging effects Hurricane Katrina has had on the Gulf Cost.
Dr Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for ACE said, “Exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, has consistently been shown to be effective in helping individuals manage stress'. Though this study the benefits of regular exercise also indicate that it 'seems to relieve mild depression, elevate mood and help people maintain their
'cool' during trying times.”
The study measured the amount of electrical activity within tensed muscles. The results showed that the participants became less jittery and hyperactive as the electric activity decreased dramatically.
The flow-on effects of exercise are numerous as people who do regular exercise actually enhance their mental health. Brad Schoenfeld, a certified Personal trainer explains that 'during a workout, your brain secretes chemical enzymes called endorphins. These are 'feel-good' enzymes that tend to uplift the spirit and produce a natural high. Hence, it is common for a person to experience euphoria after completing a training session, feeling an overall sense of happiness and well being.'As a general rule 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day will service. The intensity and description of the exercise is relative to the individuals' lifestyle, likes and dislikes. Diet is also a crucial element in stress reduction. Good nutrition assists the body in better stress management.
By Helena Davidson
Matildas versus US (September 21)
Australia's national Women's soccer team, the Matilda's, will head to America next month for international matches against the US, Mexico and an opponent yet to be announced.
The tour is part of the team's preparations for next year's FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament, and coach Tom Sermanni said that it “is part of our game plan to compete against high-quality opposition wherever possible and this tour allows us to do exactly that.”
The US national team is ranked second in the world and won the 1999 World Cup and the gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games. In seventeen encounters the Matilda's have never defeated the US, and drawn just once. That draw was, however, one of the most recent matches between the two teams, at last year's Olympics as the Matilda's made their way through to the quarter-finals.
They have a better record against Mexico having won two of the three matches between the two teams.
The matches will be played on Sunday 16 October (vs USA at Fullarton, California), Wednesday 19 October (vs Mexico at El Paso, Texas) and on Saturday 22 October (against a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent).
By Sam Ryan
Matildas web

Aussie into WNBA Playoffs (September 21)
Lauren Summerton is the only Australian still with a chance of playing in a WNBA championship team in 2005. Summerton, who is in the Australian Opals squad and plays locally for the Adelaide Fellas in the WNBL, is part of the Conneticut Suns team that defeated the Indiana Suns two games to none in the best of three series. In doing so, the Suns brought to an end fellow Australian, and Fever point guard, Tully Bevilaqua's season.
Summerton has played a relatively minor role in the Suns success so far, and had minimal impact in the conference final, playing just one minute. But at just 22, the opportunity to play in a successfully WNBA team is a great learning opportunity for Summerton, who ranked first in field goal percentage (58 per cent) and second in average points-per-game (19.9) in the 2004-05 WNBL season.
However, this will be the first WNBA finals series decided in a best of five format and should it come down to the fifth game, as some commentators are predicting, Summerton will have just over a week to prepare for the start of the WNBL season, with Adelaide's opening match scheduled for Friday 30 September against the Townsville Fire.
By Sam Ryan
WNBL website
WNBA website

Injury woes hit Suns Vs Monarchs (September 21)
Connecticut Suns play host to the Sacramento Monarchs this week in the first of the best-of-five finals series.
The Suns finished top of the Eastern Conference with a league best 26-8 and a further 4-0 in the first two rounds of the playoffs, whilst Sacramento just one game shy, 25-9 in the home and away season and 4-0 in the play offs showed how the west was won, and will certainly take the challenge up to the Suns.
This has been the fourth play offs campaign for the Suns in as many years, however this year they've managed to take the next step, winning through to the National finals.
Connecticut will not be at full strength for the tap off at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Wednesday, with star point guard, Lindsay Whalen side lined with a knee injury.
The Suns point guard sustained the injury in the first half of Game 2 of the Eastern conference finals when she collided with Indiana guard Tully Bevilaqua.
Whelan was diagnosed Monday with a non-displaced fracture of the tibia in her left knee which will certainly rule her out of Games 1 and 2, but possibly the whole final series.
"Obviously, this is very disappointing," Connecticut Sun coach Mike Thibault said. "But we have a lot of very good players, and we are capable of winning this series with the players who will suit up."
Sacramento may not be at full strength either with key point guard Ticha Penicheiro uncertain to fit to return after missing all the Western Conference Finals due to a severely sprained ankle suffered in a training session.
"I'm optimistic that I'll be able to play," Penicheiro said late Saturday after Sacromento defeated Houston 74-65, securing the Western Conference.
If Penicheiro is not at fit to play, natural off-guard Kara Lawson will be promoted to the starting five.
“Lawson is a big-game player who absolutely loves the pressure situations” ESPN.com columnist Mechelle Voepel
The Monarchs, who used a 10-player rotation this year, are will be have both the stars and the depth to make the starter reliant Suns earn every point!
By Jesse Bilkey
Commonwealth Games netball draw (September 21)
The top eight world ranked international Netball teams will compete at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The current top eight netball nations in order of ranking are New Zealand, Australia, Jamaica, England, South Africa, Samoa, Barbados and Fiji.
St Vincent and Grenadines, Wales, Malawi and Singapore are also scheduled to compete at the Games.
Singapore's place in the draw was decided this week after they defeated Malaysia in an Asian qualifying tournament, which has been delayed until now because of the Tsunami disaster.
Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games CEO, John Harnden, said Netball fans were in for a real treat come March next year.
“The Netball Gold Medal playoff at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, when Australia beat New Zealand in triple overtime, was one of the most exciting moments in Commonwealth Games history,” he said.
Netball Australia Chief Executive Officer, Lindsay Cane, said the team was very proud of winning Gold Medals in both Manchester and Kuala Lumpur and were now looking forward to fiercely defending their title in Melbourne next year.
"Netball fans from across the globe are in for a real treat as 12 determined netballing nations come together to put on a great spectacle as they compete in front of sell out crowds,” Ms Cane said.
The Australian matches to be played at the State Netball Hockey Centre include: Friday 17 March, 8.30pm - 10.00pm, Australia versus Wales; Sunday 19 March, 1.00pm - 2.30pm, Australia versus Barbados; Tuesday 21 March,
3.00pm - 4.30pm, Australia versus Samoa; Wednesday 22 March, 6.30pm - 8.00pm, Australia versus Jamaica; Thursday 23 March, 2.00pm - 3.30pm, Australia versus Singapore.
By Jacqueline Scott
Full competition draw

Snowsill wins world champs & Games selection (September 16)
Emma Snowsill, the 24-year-old Australian triathlete, has secured herself a spot at next year's Commonwealth Games by winning the 2005 world triathlon championships held in Gamagori, Japan on September 12.
The grueling 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run was dominated by Snowsill who completed the event in 1hr 53min 03 sec - delayed only because she slowed to reach out and share the moment with spectators while jogging toward the finish.
“This is beautiful and like my first world title, unexpected,'” said Snowsill, who became the fourth woman - alongside Karen Smyers ('90, '95), Michellie Jones ('92, '93) and Emma Carney ('94, '97) - since the inception of world triathlon championships in 1989 to win a second crown.
“What's funny is I have never felt worse on a run in my life, probably because of the heat. I felt really heavy and lethargic,” Snowsill said of Japan's notorious hot and humid climate.
Suffering the same conditions was teammate Annabel Luxford who claimed second place just 1min 40sec after Snowsill, making it the first Australian one-two since 1999 when Loretta Harrop and Jackie Gallagher also claimed gold and silver at the championship.
American Laura Bennett took out the bronze medal after helping set up the race in the opening swim leg and working alongside Snowsill, Luxford, former World number one Barb Lindquist (USA) and defending World Champion Sheila Taormina (USA) in the bike leg, to create a two minute lead over the rest of the field.
“I couldn't have done it without them all,” Snowsill said, paying tribute to the five-part 'alliance' including Luxford and her American rivals who helped to clear the field. The only disappointing thing about today is that Loretta (Harrop, out injured) is not here. If she was, I think Australia could have gone one, two, three.”
At just 152cm tall and weighing in at 49kg, Snowsill is Australia's 10th female world champion in 17 years.
She came to attention by winning both the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championship and a gold medal at the Sydney Youth Olympic Festival in 2000 at age 19.
In April, Snowsill told RunnersWeb.com her goals for 2005 were to defend her existing USA Triathlon titles, qualify for the 2006 Commonwealth Games and win another ITU World Championship in Japan - all of which she has now done.
“My longer-term goals are to win a Commonwealth Games Medal,” Snowsill added, “and compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.”
By Katrina Putker
Runnersweb home; Profile

Fifth time lucky for Clijsters (Sep 16)

It is every tennis player's dream to one day win a Grand Slam, whether it be on the rebound ace of Australia, the French clay, the dewy English grass or on the American hardcourt.

This dream was finally realised for Belgian tennis superstar Kim Clijsters, who demolished Frenchwoman Mary Pierce 6-3, 6-1 in the US Open Final last week. For Clijsters, it was a giant relief after she had been touted as the 'greatest player not to win a Grand Slam'.

Clijsters had made the final at the French Open in 2001, but lost to American Jennifer Capriati 1-6, 6-4, 12-10. She also lost two years later at the same tournament to fellow Belgian and Fed Cup team mate, Justine Henin-Hardenne 6-0, 6-4. Luck deserted her again in 2003 when she was beaten once again by Henin-Hardenne in the US Open Final7-5, 6-1. The following year, Clijsters was once again beaten by her Fed Cup team mate at the Australian Open 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

For Clijsters, breaking the duck and winning her first Grand Slam meant a lot.  

"All the hard work and everything, that's more satisfying to me, it's paid off," Clijsters said in her post-match interview.

"I think the feeling is definitely very comparable to my first championship that I won. Especially when you're so young and winning it then, it was incredible."

Throughout her drought, Clijsters remained philosophical about her approach to tennis.

"I think for everything, there's a time and a place. Maybe it wasn't my time yet, in those Grand Slams."

"I got a little frustrated every time I got asked in press conferences about it, and I had the idea that the media was making more of it, like a bigger deal of it than I was. I was very motivated and I was working very hard to try to do it."

"I was feeling the ball well, I was moving well, and I think that's something that I was definitely missing in my previous Grand Slams, is that I didn't really, especially the last three, feel like I was moving well, at all."

"Especially losing those Grand Slams, not just the finals but also losing to Serena (Williams) in Australia (where she led 5-1 in the third set of their semi-final in 2003), those definitely motivate you to work harder and to work on a lot of things."

And that is what the feisty 22-year-old Belgian did. Clijsters came back from a career-threatening wrist injury, which saw her miss the last three major tournaments of 2004 and the 2005 Australian Open, and worked extremely hard on her serving, forehand and her physical fitness.

"My forehand has to be a little bit better than it was because I (was) only been hitting forehands for three months straight when I couldn't hit a backhand," She said, "My serve is something that I definitely have been working on, trying to aim for targets."

"I've been working on a lot on my running and just physically to try to be stronger."

Her coach, Marc Dehous, never quivered in his belief that his tennis star would once again reach the top of her sport.

"She was capable of it," Dehous told The New York Times . He had no doubt in his mind that Clijsters would one day reign supreme in a Grand Slam Final.

"She's been No. 1 in singles and doubles, so I think you can say she can win a (Grand) Slam."

Clijsters has hinted at a possible retirement from the game that ahs given so much in two years time, because she does not want to be a dinosaur and be around as long as 34-year-old Andre Agassi.

"Two years is still (a) long (time). It's not like I am quitting in two weeks or something," Said Clijsters.

But even if the Belgian were to quit tomorrow, Kim Clijsters has surely achieved her childhood dream of winning a Major tennis tournament.

By Rick D'Andrea

Governor General trophy for Canada hockey (September 15)
Adrienne Clarkson, the Governor General of Canada, yesterday announced the establishment of a trophy to credit excellence in Canadian women's hockey.
The trophy has come from a growing celebration of women's hockey in Canada, and the Governor General wishes to pay tribute to their exceptional amount of dedication and hard work to their sport.
"I would like to follow the lead of my predecessor, Lord Stanley, Governor General of Canada from 1888 to 1893, by personally contributing a cup, honouring excellence in Canadian women's hockey", said the Governor General.
The trophy will be designed and created by the students in the Fine Arts and Craft Program at the Nunavut College in Iqaluit.
The trophy is to be named the Clarkson's cup in recognition of the Governor General and is scheduled for release by May 2006.
By Taryn Preston
Governor General home

Stars off to slow starts at Wismilak International (September 15)
After not winning at the international level since April this year, Australia's Alicia Molik has finally tasted success at the Wismilak (Bali) International with a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Argentinian Mariana Diaz-Olivia to progress to the second round.
Despite missing the French Open and Wimbledon tournaments with a virus, Molik told the Age she was pleased with the way she performed. “It was a win, which is great and fantastic,” she said.
However, Molik noted that she had to work harder if she was to taste more success at international level. “I have gotten used to winning in a fun way and playing great tennis. That's what I'm striving for, at the same time as having to be happy getting through an ugly win,” she told the Age.
After falling behind early on in the first set, Molik managed to fight hard, eventually winning the tiebreak 8-6. “If I'd lost that first set I'd probably have got pretty down on myself. I was very lucky to get out of that,” Molik said in the Age.
In other matches, Lindsay Davenport won in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 over her Japanese opponent Mika Fujiwara. “I'm never one that plays their best right off the bat,” Davenport said. “It took a little while to settle into the conditions and the way Rika plays, but I do feel I started to improve some things in the second set. I did not play my best and I know I have to get better, but typically I tend to get better as the tournament goes on.”
After not performing as well as she would have liked at the US Open, Davenport said that she would do all she can to win the tournament. “Coming here, its been a really great opportunity to relax and get back out on the court right away after losing in New York,” she said. “Mentally it's different and I knew that coming out here today I might not play my best. But I wouldn't fly all this way if I didn't want to win the tournament and perform at a high level.”
First seed Davenport takes on Spaniard Laura Pous Tio, while Australian Molik plays Ukranian Alona Bonderenko in the second round.
By Stephen Ritchie

Kick-off for China 2007 (September 15)
Qualifying matches for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup in China are well underway with some of Europe's top countries battling it out for one of the five places available.
Russia kicked it off with their 5-1 home win against the Republic of Ireland and continued their winning streak against Scotland 6-0 and Switzerland 2-0 for Group 4 (Russia, Scotland, Switzerland, Republic of Ireland, Germany).
In Group 1 (Norway, Italy, Ukraine, Serbia & Montenegro, Greece), only one game has been completed with Norway having an unexpected 4-1 victory against Ukraine.
Iceland and Belarus started the opening matches for Group 2 (Sweden, Iceland, Czech Republic, Portugal, Belarus) with Iceland having a comfortable 3-0 win against Belarus. However, Belarus managed to even things out with 1-1 in their match against the Czech Republic. It was thought that Sweden would have an easy win against Iceland, instead Iceland proved to be difficult competitors as they tied Sweden 2-2.
FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying Group 3 (Denmark, Finland, Spain, Poland, Belgium) has had no surprises as Denmark and Finland won their matches. The Danish won 5-1 against Poland while Finland gained victory with their 3-0 win against Belgium.
Like Group 1, Group 5 (France, England, Netherlands, Hungary, Austria) has only played one qualifying match so far, with England travelling to Austria. Austria started off with a bang, leading the way until England managed to find their bearings and eventually win 4-1 against Austria.
Qualifying matches will continue from now until September 2006.
By Nataskia van Dam


Sport Leadership Grants For Women (September 15)
The Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Government Office for Women are currently seeking for a successful female applicant to receive a sport leadership grant of up to $5000 for an individual, or up to $10,000 for an incorporated organisation.
This annual program that has been running for three years is open to all women in sport and provides recipients of the grant to undertake sport leadership training.
Successful applicants in all states and territories are also invited to undertake a workshop which covers a large range of leadership and development topics. Sport Leadership Grants are offered in five categories which include high performance, indigenous women, women in disability sport, women in general sport leadership positions and women from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Each of these categories include the areas of coaching, officiating, governance and management.
Applications for this grant close on Friday, October 28, 2005. The application form can be downloaded from the website .
Those who are successful in their application will be notified by mid-December 2005.
By Danielle Tralli
Ausport Website

Singapore coming to Melbourne! (September 15)
Singapore has guaranteed itself a Commonwealth Games spot with a 14 goal win in the final of the 6 th Asian Netball Championships. Runner-up two-years ago, host country Singapore comfortably defeated Malaysia 53-39 in the final at the Toa Payoh sports hall. As well as competing for the title of Asian Champions, the teams were also vying for places at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and 2007 World Championships.
In winning the final Singapore has bought itself a place at both meets while runner-up Malaysia, who unexpectedly defeated reigning champion Sri Lanka for a spot in the final, qualifies for the second berth at the Worlds. The seven-nation week long tournament also featured teams from India, Hong Kong, Thailand and the Maldives. Formally held every four years the event will now be held bi-annually in a bid to increase interest and participation in the sport.
By Sally Browne
Singapore Netball site
Commonwealth Games site

Ashes victory marks end for Taylor   (September 15)
English medium pacer Clare Taylor has announced her retirement from international cricket following her team's drought-breaking Ashes triumph.
The 40-year-old opening bowler was part of the victorious squad that enjoyed a spectacular open top bus ride through the streets of London on Tuesday.
Taylor has been one of the most successful international bowlers in her 16 tests and 105 One Day Internationals for England and feels it is the right time to retire.
"Now is a good time to go, having just won the Ashes for the first time in 42 years," she told Cricinfo recently.
She departs the game with an impressive 102 ODI wickets; only Australia's Cathryn Fitzpatrick and India's Neetu David have taken more. She also took 25 test wickets.
In a remarkable parallel to the men, England's women also regained the Ashes after decades of frustration and narrowly lost the one-day series.
The victorious women were presented with the trophy on the second day of the men's final test and enjoyed a lap of honour in front of the sell out Oval crowd.
Both English teams celebrated in front of thousands of ecstatic fans in Trafalgar Square.
Captain Clare Connor said beating Australia in front of a home crowd was very satisfying after a forgettable World Cup campaign in March.
`` The World Cup was disappointing but we realised we had almost bridged the gulf between the two sides,'' she told the BBC.
She said both Ashes victories were a boost to cricket in the country.
"It's great to be part of English cricket at the moment. There's such a buzz," she said.
By Shane Worrell

Molik Finally Wins (September 15)
Australia's Alicia Molik has finally won her first match since April by defeating Argentian Mariana Diaz-Oliva 7-6, 6-3 to reach the second round of the Bali Internatonal tournament.
The number three seed did not play in the French Open and Wimbeldon because of illness, and struggled to play at her best during her comeback tournament, the US Open.  
Molik told NineMSN that her performance was far from convincing, but "it was a win, which is great and fantastic."
"I've gotten very used to winning in a fun way and playing great tennis. That's what I'm striving for, at the same time as having to be happy getting through an ugly win," Molik said.
The Australian will now play unknown Ukranian, Alona Bondarenko, who beat Korean Yoon Jeong Cho 6-4, 6-4.
By Rick D'Andrea

Clijsters Wins Last Major Of Year (September 15)
Women's number four seed Kim Clijsters is the toast of New York after she defeated number twelve seed Mary Pierce in the US Open Final 6-3, 6-1, to win her first Grand Slam of her career.
Clijsters smashed her opponent off the court with an impressive all-round performance, sending down five aces, and hitting 16 winners, in just one hour and five minutes.
"My movement was there today, and that's very important for me," Clijsters said in a post-match conference, "If I move well, that's when I am confident, and that's when I can just sort of let my strokes and my shots go as well."
The fourth seed had appeared in four other Grand Slam finals, but had not taken the next step and secured the title. She had finished runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 2003 to fellow Belgian, Justin Henin-Hardenne, second at the Australian Open in 2004, and twice runner-up at Roland Garros in 2001 and 2003.
"I was feeling the ball well. I was moving well, and I think that's something that I was definitely missing in my previous Grand Slam (finals). I didn't feel like I was moving well."
Clijsters has been the dominant player on the US hardcourt season, winning in Indian Wells, Miami, Eastbourne, Los Angeles and Toronto.
By Rick D'Andrea
US Open

All Set for 2006 World Volleyball Championships (September 8)
The list of the 24 qualifying teams for the 2006 World Volleyball Championships in Japan has been completed with the last remaining spots available going to Brazil and Peru.
Brazil managed to claim the first place spot of the South America Pool A with straight sets 3-0 (25-10, 25-20, 25-22) against Argentina, allowing them in to the final round with an unbeatable win-loss record of 4-0 during the tournament.
Peru came second with their easy defeat 3-0 (25-11, 25-10, 25-13) against neighbouring country Ecuador, obtaining a 3-1 record while Argentina came third with 2-2, Uruguay fourth with 1-3, and Ecuador last with a win-loss record of 0-4.
The complete list of qualifiers for the 2006 Volleyball Championships in Japan include hosts Japan, 2002 defending world champions Italy, Egypt, Cameroon, Kenya, China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Kazakhstan, USA, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Germany, Serbia and Montenegro, Azerbaijan, Russia, The Netherlands, Turkey and Poland.
By Nataskia van Dam
International Federation

Queensland trio take home grand prix title (September 8)
Bowls Australia's new grand prix series has seen the Queensland combination of Georgia White, Brenda Thompson and Ceri Ann Davies win the final women_s triples event in Moama yesterday.
Wildcard entrants in the Moama Grand Prix, the trio defeated Western Australia's Kerry Andersen, Noeleen Abe and Therese Hastings in a tie-breaker, 10-5, 6-10, 2-1, at the Moama Bowling Club.
The victory caps off a terrific series for both White and Thompson.
Ipswich-based Thompson won the singles at the same event and was runner-up at the recent Australian Indoor Championships.
While White, 15, who lives in Queensland, won the pairs at the Helensvale Grand Prix in June.
At such a young age White says the biggest difficulty is staying focused. She loves the talk, she admits with a laugh. The best thing about the sport is "meeting people from all over the place".
In the women's pairs, Lynsey Armitage and Karen Murphy have advanced to the final of the $40,000 event.
The experienced internationals outclassed qualifiers Mary Lim and Sarah Rumble to take the game in straight sets, 12-4, 8-4.
Armitage, the World Junior Cup singles champion and Murphy, a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, have dropped just one set in four games.
The fifth seeds will meet fellow Australian Bowls Squad members Noi Tucker and Roma Dunn in tomorrow's final (8/9).
Tucker and Dunn, seeded three, secured their final berth when they defeated the young Victorian combination of Jessie Eva and Anna Hoogwerf 9-7, 7-6.
By Lauren Hilbert
Bowls Australia

AWU backs Australia's elite netballers (September 8)
The Australian Workers Union has amended its rules of eligibility to include Australia's top netballers, to help in their negotiations for fairer wages and conditions.
Yesterday, the Australian Industrial Relations Commission approved an amendment to the AWU's Rules of Eligibility, which gives the union coverage of Australia's 120 elite netballers.
"This is a significant step forward for Australia's top netballers, who will now have the resources and backing of the AWU as they negotiate for a fairer deal," Nation secretary and Interim CEO of the Netball Players Association, Bill Shorten said.
"We are looking forward to providing support and resources to the Australian Netball Players' Association, which will continue to be an advocate for netballers in discussions with Netball Australia," Mr Shorten said.
Mr Shorten said the move will see the AWU, work constructively with Netball Australia to ensure Australian netballers to develop a professional player-administrator structure, which matches the players' professional on-court performances.
Netball Australia had earlier objected to the AWU amending its rules but following negotiations withdrew this complaint.
The captain of Australia's national squad Liz Ellis said the players were excited that their move into the industrial relations framework would progress their case for fairer wages and conditions.
"We're really happy to have the AWU on board to provide advice and resources to help us secure a fairer deal," Ms Ellis said.
"The real beneficiaries will be the next generation of netballers and other professional sportswomen."
The 120 netballers covered by the AWU include members of: the Perth Orioles, Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Phoenix, Melbourne Kestrels, Sydney Swifts, Hunter Jagers, ACT/AIS Darters and the Queensland Firebirds.
By Lauren Hilbert
Netball Association

Harrop withdraws (September 8)
World championship silver medallist and Australia's most experienced female triathlete, Loretta Harrop has withdrawn from the 2005 worlds citing pain from an ankle injury as the reason.
Harrop who fractured her foot earlier this year told the Herald Sun that she wasn't fit enough to “shake things up.”
“If I got out there and really went for it, I don't know if my injury could handle the pace,” she said.
Harrop's withdrawal reduces the women's team to five, however Australia's medal chances are strong with current world number one and two Annabel Luxford and Emma Snowsill in fine form.
Look out for our World Championship wrap after this weekend's championships.
By Peter Trevaskis
Holmes to make Melbourne swansong? (September 8)
Just days after AllWomenSport.com reported dual-Olympic Gold medallist Kelly Holmes had run her last race in England, and possibly her last race ever, she has been named in the final team for the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Picked in her pet events the 800 and 1500m, Holmes is looking increasingly like taking the start line at the MCG next March.
Though named in the team by English team officials, Holmes still had some doubt when quizzed about her chances by London's AFP.
"I've told the selectors I will give it until mid-November to make my decision whether to compete. I have to be realistic…if I'm not fit enough, there is no point," she said.
By Peter Trevaskis
UK Athletics http://www.ukathletics.net/

Jillaroos set for Junior Women's World Cup (September 8)
In the lead up to the Junior Women's World Cup and after an impressive first practice match the Jillaroos looked out of sorts as they went down to New Zealand Black Sticks 0-2 in their second clash.
The Jillaroos opened their attack in the first match by defeating New Zealand 6-0 in a one-sided battle that saw 4 of their 6 goals scored in the first 14mins.
Jillaroos coach, Des King was pleased with the under 21 team's performance, especially with their defence for not conceding any goals.
"To win 6-1 was a pleasing first game performance. In saying that, the score line does not reflect how tough the game was,” said King. “To score two penalty corners from our six opportunities was pleasing. To concede no goals from eight penalty corner's against was also pleasing.”
But the celebrations were short lived when the Jillaroos met the Black Sticks in the second of three practice matches, going down 0-2.
"In the second half our midfield created some good chances, but a combination of good goalkeeping and finishing that lacked the sharpness of the game meant that we remained scoreless," said King.
The third practice match will be against the Christchurch women's team, where the Jillaroos will be hoping to improve on their last performance.
The games are a lead up to the Junior Women's World Cup that takes place in Santiago, Chile on September 14 to 25.
By Taryn Preston
Hockey Australia home; News

Junior women to take Australia to the top (September 8)
Just weeks after the tragic accident in Germany that claimed the life of Amy Gillett, and seriously injured four other team-mates, the recovery of women's cycling in Australia is well underway with the National Club Road Championships currently taking place on the Gold Coast.
Budding juniors and elite club riders Australia wide have descended to the Mecca of Australian road cycling to vie for this years titles.
In the aftermath of the tragedy in Germany, many questioned when the next generation of female riders would emerge, but bumper fields at this year's titles have given renewed hope ahead of the 2006 Commonwealth games.
For all the results visit www.cyclingnews.com
By Peter Trevaskis
Results: Cycling News

Lauren Jackson sticks by Australia (September 8)
Lauren Jackson who has been labelled the world's best female basketball player has vowed to play for Australia's Opals in next year's Commonwealth Games, which are to be held in Melbourne.
The 24 year old was previously scheduled to play in the European basketball season which would clash with the Games, but changed her mind.
Jackson has said that she is totally committed to representing Australia and winning gold for her country.
Her family played an influential role in her decision, “My family were saying it would be good for me to play [in the Games]. When I sat back and thought about it . . . it was something I wanted to be involved in," she told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Opals coach Jan Stirling has said that Lauren Jackson's involvement in the team will make a “huge difference” in the team's line-up.
However has stressed that due to the clash with the European championships, it could mean that many members of the squad may be unavailable during the Games, yet Stirling remains optimistic that Australia will have a good squad for the Commonwealth Games.
Being born in Albury, Jackson said that although she has already played in two Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games was important to her.
Last year Jackson earned $220,000 to play only five games in Russia which is double what she earns in an entire WNBL season with the Seattle Storm.
Jackson's manager Neil Mumme said that she is passionate about Australia, although she plays basketball to make a living, money isn't everything.
In preparation for her Commonwealth Games berth, Lauren Jackson will spend a season playing in Australia's WNBL, playing with the Canberra Capitals.
By Danielle Tralli
Basketball Australia
Sydney Morning Herald home; News

Switch to athletics pays off (September 8)
Paralympic silver medallist, Amanda Fraser returned from Finland last week, with her first European Discus Championship, fending off world record holder Chunhua Li to add to her already successful transition from swimming to athletics.
"I was very happy with the way I handled the pressure today throwing against the World record holder. It was also pleasing to have a good series of throws, especially considering the lead up I have had to the Championships" Fraser said of her discus victory.
Fraser won the F37 Discus for women with her first round throw of 26.51m, and finished third in the Shot Put with a personal best of 9.28m.
Fraser began the transition from swimming after winning two bronze medals at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games by moving to Canberra to train at the Australian Institute of Sport. Chunhua Li who won the event with a world record throw beat her to gold in the Discus at the 2004 Athens Paralympics.
Amanda Fraser also competes in the 100m Wheelchair sprint and holds the Australian Discus record in the F37. She also held the World Record for the same event in 2004, category proving to be a gifted athlete in a number of disciplines.
She now turns her attention to the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games where she will strive for gold in the discus and aim to improve her already world class throws in the shot put as a result of extra training she plans to incorporate into her schedule between now and March next year.
By Leah Bound
Athletics Australia
Ausport

Melbourne Phoenix wins Commonwealth Bank Trophy (September 8)
September 8, 2005
The Melbourne Phoenix has won a 5th Commonwealth Bank Trophy on the weekend, defeating the Sydney Swifts 61- 44.
The Phoenix enjoyed a home court advantage, playing in front of more than 6 thousand fans at Vodafone Arena on Saturday.
Sydney's back-to-back premiership hopes were crushed by the Phoenix who ran away with the match in the second half.
The Phoenix led by only 3 goals at quarter time (15-12) and half time (28-25), but had a brilliant third quarter where they outscored the Swifts 17-8.
The Phoenix kept fighting in the fourth quarter, denying the Swifts any chance of a comeback and outscoring them 16-11.
Co-Captains Eloise Southby-Halbish and Sharelle McMahon were unstoppable in the goal ring, with 83 and 93 percent accuracy rates respectively.
The co-captains shot an amazing 17 goals from 17 attempts in the Phoenix's match winning third quarter.
"It is certainly sweet to win like that," Southby-Halbish told Netball Victoria.
"As you get older you cherish these special times with a great group of girls. We have such a special bond within the Phoenix team," she said.
GK Bianca Chatfield, despite recovering from glandular fever, played a key role in the match.
"I was a great relief to be able to play the full match," Chatfield said.
"We knew we could cover anything that they pulled out on us and whatever they did we had an answer for," she said.
By Jacqueline Scott
Netball Vic

ABC extends WNBL coverage for season 2005/06 (September 8)
Coverage of the 2005/06 Price Attack Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) will again appear on free-to-air broadcaster ABC, as the successful and long running partnership has been extended for its 15th consecutive season.
Fans will 'feel the attitude' when the season tips off on September 30, with this promising to be one of the best ever as many international players returning to build on an already high quality league.
"The ABC have a firm hold on the presentation of Australian women's sport," said Basketball Australia's Chief Executive Scott Derwin. "They are the market leader in that area, and their long-standing commitment to the Price Attack WNBL has helped grow the League into one of the most respected in the world."
Athens Olympians, Trisha Fallon (Sydney Uni), Natalie Porter (Sydney Uni), Belinda Snell (Sydney Uni), Laura Summerton (Adelaide) and Allison Tranquilli (Bulleen Melbourne) will return to the court whilst Lauren Jackson will suit up for the Canberra Capitals after missing last season though injury but making huge waves in the American WNBA in her 2005 international return.
Joining the ABCs in publicising the league, eight of Australia's best female basketball players have been announced as Ambassadors for the upcoming season.
"Our Ambassadors really are the faces of our sport in the media and in their communities," Landon said. "Women's sport needs to promote these healthy, talented and 'real' female role models, and we think the Ambassadors program is the best way to do this."
The program welcomes back Hollie Grima (Bulleen Melbourne Boomers), Carly Wilson (Dandenong Rangers), Eleanor Sharp (Canberra Capitals) and Christina Fox (AIS). Taking a year off from the program, Melissa McClure (Perth Lynx) and Eva Afeaki (Sydney Uni) return as Ambassadors for their teams and newcomers, Erin Phillips (Adelaide Fellas) and Tania Heritage (Townsville Fire), will be representing for the first time.
Ambassadors will work in conjunction with communities, league officials, players and media providers, particularly the ABC to help to raise the profile of the sport and its up and coming stars.
"ABC TV has helped our players become household names. Role models such as Lauren Jackson, Michele Timms, Trisha Fallon and Robyn Maher have played their way into the hearts of Australian sports fans through the decade and a half of ABC coverage. This year we will see names such as Laura Summerton, Belinda Snell and Erin Phillips emerge as the next generation of stars," Derwin added. "ABC TV's continued support is essential to the future development of women's sport in Australia."
By Jesse Bilkey

2005/2006 Australia Open Squad Announced (September 8)
The 2005/2006 Australian Open Netball Squad was announced on the 4th of September.
The squad will meet for their first five-day camp on September 14, at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra.
A team will be selected at this camp to tour to Auckland, for a test against the Silver Ferns.
The squad will then travel to Jamaica for three test series against Jamaica in preparation for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games next March.
A Commonwealth Games squad of 15 will be announced mid December following another five-day camp in Canberra.
The team of 12 to compete in the Commonwealth Games will be announced mid February.
The players that are in the 2005/ 2006 Australian Open Squad and who have the chance to compete at the Commonwealth Games are:
* Megan Anderson (Sydney TAB Swifts)
* Natalie Avellino (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)
* Sarah Barrett (Sydney TAB Swifts)
* Alison Broadbent (Sydney TAB Swifts)
* Bianca Chatfield (Melbourne Phoenix)
* Natasha Chokljat (Melbourne Phoenix)
* Catherine Cox (Sydney TAB Swifts)
* Liz Ellis (Sydney TAB Swifts)
* Demelza Fellowes (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)
* Selina Gilsenan (Sydney TAB Swifts)
* Kristen Heinrich (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)
* Wendy Jacobsen (Melbourne Phoenix)
* Sharelle McMahon (Melbourne Phoenix)
* Cynna Neele (Melbourne Kestrels)
* Julie Prendergast (Melbourne Phoenix)
* Peta Scholz (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)
* Jessica Shynn (Perth Orioles)
* Eloise Southby-Halbish (Melbourne Phoenix)
* Rebecca Strachan (Melbourne Kestrels)
* Laura von Bertouch (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)
* Natalie von Bertouch (Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Squad list courtesy of Netball Australia.

Pierce through to semis (September 8)
Mary Pierce has become the first woman through to the US Open Semi-finals after the French Number 12 seed defeated fellow countrywoman and Number three seed Amelie Mauresmo 6-4, 6-1.
It took Pierce one hour and five minutes to dispose of Mauresmo, and book her place in the semis, where she will either meet American Number two seed Lindsay Davenport, or Russian Number six seed Elena Dementieva.
"They're both great players. They're both difficult to play," Pierce said in a post-match interview. "I don't prefer anybody. I've played Lindsay recently [but] I haven't played Elena recently."
Pierce came into the Mauresmo match feeling confident, even though Mauresmo had defeated her the last two times they had played this year.
"I came in feeling confident. I've always been pretty confident in myself. I just think that when I come into the later rounds and against the top players, just to continue having that belief in myself and in my game, just going out and playing my game the best I can and hopefully coming out the winner." Said Pierce
"I noticed a lot that when I play well, my matches go quickly, because I don't have long rallies. I go for my shots."
This will be Pierce's first venture through to the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows, and the second Frenchwomen to play in the last four since 1968, with Mauresmo making it in 2002.
By Rick D'Andrea
US Open

Sharapova into semi finals at US Open (September 8)
Teen sensation Maria Sharapova has finally hit her straps by advancing into the semi finals of the US Open with a two sets to one victory over fellow Russian Nadia Petrova on Tuesday.
Sharapova battled hard for the victory but was able to overcome the pressure, taking her further than she has before in this tournament. “After the second set I didn't feel like my game was there,” Sharapova said. “I felt like I was making too many errors. Mentally I wasn't there. I just didn't have any motivation.”
The youngster played some strong ground strokes and showed dogged determination winning the third set 6-4. “Things can turn around really quickly. Momentum can change,” Sharapova said. The victory means Sharapova will face the current world number four, Kim Clijsters, where she will be looking to extend her already impressive record.
The 18-year-old is currently ranked number two in the world and has a total of ten career singles titles. If victorious over Clijsters, she will play either 12th seed Mary Pierce or countrywoman Elena Dementieva in the final.
By Stephen Ritchie

New website caters to women's weight training needs (September 8)
Website TheFitWomanOnline.com aims to encourage women of all ages to take part in the benefits of weight training - especially the older generation.
Owned by New Jersey company, PowerFit, the site was designed to, "help women achieve a higher level of health, energy and beauty through carefully selected fitness equipment and related information researched with women's fitness in mind," said CEO, Linda Kravitz.
Previous trends in manufacturing equipment engineered solely for male bodies, often made it difficult for women to safely begin or advance in a strength-training program.
This new site however, offers weight training equipment, accessories and apparel designed expressly for women, along with specific maternity and osteoporosis health and fitness programs.
Many products offered by the site are for home use, enabling women who do not want to workout in the male dominated atmosphere of the gym, to exercise in private or with partners of their choice.
TheFitWomanOlnine claims that the benefits of weight training include increases in lean muscle and metabolism, and a decrease in body fat. Research has also proven that a consistent weight-training program can reverse the aging process.
While most women prefer treadmills and aerobics classes to strength training, thousands of joint injuries later suggest the benefits are not what they initially seem.
"The world of fitness-oriented strength training is where women want to go," says owner of TheFitWomanOnline.com. "We intend to assist women with their journey to the other side of pumping iron."

2008 Olympic Games equestrian events moved (September 8)
A final decision has been made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to relocate all equestrian events of the 2008 summer Olympic Games from Beijing to Hong Kong due to quarantine issues and a lack of disease free zones in China.
The decision was made on July 7 at the 117th IOC Session in Singapore with support from the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and despite numerous efforts by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to keep events inside the host city.
"Everyone would have wished the competition could have taken place in Beijing, but sanitary problems made this very difficult," IOC president Jacques Rogge said.
BOCOG lobbied hard for the relocation, saying 17 dangerous equine diseases are prevalent in Beijing and other mainland Chinese cities. Although these problems were mentioned in Beijing's initial Olympic bid in 2000, at the time it did not appear to be the impossible obstacle that it later became.
FEI president, Infanta Dona Pilar, was left with no alternative but to agree to the move and did so only after BOCOG had assured the federation it would provide the best conditions for the athletes and horses at the new site - some 2000km away from Beijing.
"We are confident that BOCOG and Hong Kong will ensure the stage is set for excellent equestrian competition in Hong Kong," Pilar said.
Officials have promised to install giant cooling fans along the course in response to concerns that Hong Kong's sweltering heat and humidity in August could be lethal for the horses.
Pilar explained that despite the hot and humid weather, the exciting atmosphere of the equestrian events would remain.
"People love horses all over China but in Hong Kong they know a lot about them and the atmosphere will be great," Pilar said.
"The only thing I am sorry of is to be far away from the Olympic family and from the rest of the Olympics."
"We now have a big challenge ahead of us; to be at the heart of the 2008 Olympic Games despite the distance from the host city."
Executive vice-president for BOCOG, Wang Wei, ensured both the FEI and the IOC that the committee's decision is in the best interest of the competition and the horses.
"We are delighted that the best possible solution for the Beijing 2008 equestrian competition has been found," he said.
"Will work to ensure the athletes, officials, media and spectators in Hong Kong know that they are an integral part of the Beijing Games."
President of the Hong Kong National Olympic Committee, Timothy Fok, is delighted to have the opportunity to "contribute further to the Olympic Movement."
"Supporters of equestrian sport can rest assured that we will do everything we can to host them in the best possible way," he said.
It will be the second time in Olympic history that equestrian events have been held away from the official host city.
In 1956, the Games were held in Melbourne from late November to early December, but all equestrian events were staged in Stockholm, Sweden, in June.
At the time, Australian quarantine laws were too severe to allow the entry of foreign horses.
26-year-old Olivia Bunn is the only female on the current elite squad from which the 2008 Equestrian Olympic team will be chosen. Fortunately for Bunn, she was born in Honk Kong so the relocation of events should not cause any problems.
As a legacy of the 2008 Olympic Games, the EFI plan to work with BOCOG in setting up an equestrian training and competition center outside Beijing that will be surrounded by a 6-mile disease-free zone.
By Katrina Putker
International Olympic Committee

Oz rowers score medals (September 7)
The Australian women's rowing crews had exceptionally successful World Rowing Championships finals in Gifu, Japan, over the weekend. Two crews won gold whilst two others took home silver and bronze respectively. It was a particularly momentous occasion for the women involved in the 8 final, as their win put the disastrous Athens Olympics final behind them.
Although only one member of the ill-fated crew rowed in Japan, Sarah Outhwaite, the win was a leap forward for Australian women's rowing. Their coach, Lyall McCarthy, said, “We don't look towards last year, we are just getting on with the job and making sure we build the best team to win the Olympics (in Beijing).”
The 8 were victorious after a tight battle with the United States, Romania and the Netherlands. Meanwhile the four took on a close and exciting battle with Germany to become world champions. In the pair final, Natalie Bale and Sarah Outhwaite came in second to New Zealand. The double scull rowed to a bronze medal.
Training for Beijing in 2008 is the next priority, followed by the world championships in Poznan, Poland, in 2009.
By Antonia Magee
Fox Sports home; Story
World Rowing

Aussies clinch series win! (September 2)
Australia’s women last night went a little way toward extracting revenge for their recent loss in the Ashes test series with a thrilling win in the deciding match of the one-day series. A four run win in the fifth one-dayer gave the Aussies a 3-2 series win. Australia looked like the world-champions of old after being sent in by English captain Clare Connor, racing to 6/260 off their 50 overs at a run rate of 5.2. Karen Rolton, top scored with 62 off 80 balls, while Lisa Kneightly (58), Belinda Clark (36) and Lisa Sthalekar (53) all made contributions. Charlotte Edwards was the best of the bowlers with figures of 3-47 off 8 overs, including the scalps of Kneightly and Sthalekar. It looked like an impossible task for the English, but a 94-run opening partnership between Edwards and Laura Newton raised hopes and must surely have had the Aussies women concerned. Then, in stepped Cathryn Fitzpatrick. She broke up the partnership when she dismissed Edwards for 57. Newton went on to make 61 while Claire Taylor (22), Arran Brindle (50) and Jenny Gunn (24) all made starts but failed to capitalize. Fitzpatrick went on to rip through the middle order finishing with the impressive figures of 4/52. She was brilliantly backed up by player of the match, Karen Rolton, who took two late wickets as the English tail collapsed to be all out for 256, four runs short of the Aussie total. The last five wickets fell for just 26 runs. Kneightly was awarded player of the series after finishing for her 316 runs from five matches at an average of 63.2. Australia will be looking to finish their tour of England will a final win in their last match, a Twenty20 game at Taunton.
By Sally Browne
Australian Women’s Cricket website
Australian Cricket website

All-Australian showdown looms (September 1)
If a fully fit Jana Pittman graces the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March next year to defend her 400m hurdles Commonwealth Games title she can expect some serious competition from a rapidly improving Australian youngster.
Canberra teenage running sensation Lauren Boden has amassed an impressive resume.
At the 2005 World Youth Athletics Championships, Boden finished a credible second behind Ebony Collins of the United States in a time of 58.30 seconds. In her first international meet, Boden has helped reignite the hope of Athletics Australia selectors as the open team continues to struggle with injuries and a lack of top quality performers.
She now turns her attention to the Australian domestic season in the hope of defending her Australian title. Pittman looms as her biggest challenge, as the former world champion continues to work her way back from an injury-ridden international campaign which has plagued her performances for the past two years.
If all goes to plan, and both athletes can remain injury free over the Australian summer, the stage will set for an all-Australian showdown come March 2006. Will it be the experience of Pittman or the youthful enthusiasm of Boden that will make it to the finish line first?
By Leah Bound
Athletics Australia web

Comm Games swim trails for Melbourne (September 1)
Brook Hanson, Jodie Henry and Libby Lenton are some of Australia's top female swimmers who will be competing for Commonwealth Games selection when Melbourne hosts the Australian Swimming Championships early next year.
The six-day meet will run from January 30 to February 4 and will be held at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.
The event will act as selection trials for the 2006 Australian Commonwealth Games Team and will be swum in the games pool, which is presently under construction.
Swimming Australia's Chief Executive Officer, Glenn Tasker, told Swimming Australia the event will be a great opportunity for Victorian spectators who may miss out on the games.
“Our Telstra Australian Championships will be a great run up to the Games and it will give Victorians especially a golden opportunity to see our stars in action, particularly those who may have missed out on Games seats,” he said.
Mr. Tasker said he expects the event will be fiercely competitive.
“In some events it will be just as tough to win an Australian Championship as it will be to win the Commonwealth Games," he said.
“We expect the racing to be as competitive as ever; everyone wants to win a place on this team.
“To compete in front of your home crowd, especially in the sport of swimming will be an honour that none of them will ever forget.
“And this is the only chance our swimmers will have to make the Commonwealth Games team -- it is going to be make or break for them."
The Commonwealth Games swimming events are scheduled for March 16.
By Jacqueline Scott
Swimming Australia website

Jackson's Back! (September 1)
Just four days after being forced to the bench for back pain, Seattle Storm forward Lauren Jackson lead her team to a 75 - 67 win over hosts Huston Comets in the opener of the WNBA Western Conference playoff series.
Jackson, top scoring for the game with 19 points and an impressive 13 boards secured the 1-0 lead in the best of three series will be taken back to Seattle.
In her last match against the Phoenix Mercury, Jackson was sidelined with three minutes left in the first half after straining her back whilst pulling down a defensive rebound. In the fifteen minutes court time Jackson did play against the Mercury, she added eight points and five rebounds to her season tally.
With an average of 17.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, Jackson will close the home and away season ranked second in the league.
In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Fever took game 1 (63-51). The Fever to control late in t he game, running home with 14-2 points including 11 of 12 free throws in the closing minutes. Tamika Catching was outstanding for Indiana, with 19 points and 12 boards, whilst Tully Bevilaqua provided support with a game total of 14 points.
By Jesse Bilkey
Seattle Storm website

Dame's last hurrah? (September 1)
Dual Olympic Gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes has bid farewell to her adoring British fans. The 35 year-old may have only finished 8th but still received the ovations of the crowd, long after the race-winner Jenny Meadows had left the track.
In her last race on British soil the underdone Holmes was suffering the effects of an Achilles tendon injury that has restricted her all season, yet dazzled in a black and gold running kit with matching spikes.
“I hope the memories override the pain. I did not expect to get round, so I am quite pleased,” Holmes told The Times.
The ever-glamorous Holmes even arrived in a military helicopter, dubbed a Kellycopter for the occasion.
Since her gold medal winning performances in Athens, where she 'did the double' winning both the 800 and 1500m titles, Holmes has spent time more time off the track than on it.
Her biggest moment was receiving the title of Dame in the Queen's annual New Year's Honours list.
Nobody would question her lack of racing, exhausted by her heavy Olympic program and the four years leading up to the games, Holmes body had simply had enough.
Tendon and nerve damage, and a persistent cyst have left her tired and sore, though she was enjoying her last race in front of her home crowd.
Speaking to The Times, she said: “It has been an amazing day.”
Though when asked by Eurosport about the possibility of lining up at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, her reply was simple. "I need to get my leg sorted out and decide on a fresh mind."
By Peter Trevaskis
BBC home; Kelly gallery

Swifts to take on Phoenix (September 1)
The Sydney Swifts will take on the Melbourne Phoenix this Saturday, in an attempt to out take out the season for the second year running after defeating the Adelaide Thunderbirds 63 to 43 on Thursday night (25th August),
Phoenix may however have the upper hand winning the last two of the three matches played between the pair. Their win by three goals against the Swifts in the preliminary final resulting in both a chance at the title and a home court grand final at Vodafone Arena in Melbourne.
One Swifts defender will have the agonising task of sitting on the sidelines after an injury-plagued season. Mo'onia Gerrard has had an ongoing knee injury since tearing her Media Crucial Ligament playing for Australia in June.
A recent MRI scan has now revealed that her ACL joint has ruptured, resulting in Gerrard being sidelined indefinitely for at least the rest of this season. The defender will now seek advice and under go a full knee reconstruction though to be some time next week.
Despite this blow, the Swifts seem to have returned to their top form, which saw a twelve game winning streak at the beginning of the season. However, the in-form Melbourne Phoenix will not be easy to beat, especially with their home court advantage.
It will be a big week for both teams in the lead up to the play off. The Swifts will head to Melbourne Thursday and attend the annual Grand Final breakfast on Friday. It will be then that both teams turn their focus to 4.30pm Saturday, when they will play off for championship glory.
For those wanting to see the action live tickets are available through Ticketek.
By Sarah Watson
Netball Australia website
Netball NSW (Swifts)
Melbourne Phoenix website

Pressure on Australia in decider (September 1)
Australia will meet England in the deciding one-day international cricket match at Taunton today.
After leading the five-match series 2-0, the pressure is now firmly on Australia to prevent a 3-2 loss.
In little more than a week, England has regained the Ashes and levelled the one-day series at 2-2, sending confidence soaring and the series to a fifth match.
Australia's crushing win at Kidderminster in game two is now a distant memory with the tourists needing to win to avoid coming home empty handed.
If the tourists are to win the series, Belinda Clark, Karen Rolton and Lisa Keightley will need to make the most of Taunton's good batting conditions, while spinner Shelley Nitschke must regain her early series form.
England will look for solid batting contributions from the in-form Claire Taylor and hope Ashes hero Katherine Brunt can contain the Australians with the ball.
By Shane Worrell
Women's Cricket Australia website

Malibu Pro starts soon (September 1)
Rip Curl has announced the second annual Rip Curl Malibu Pro, the biggest professional surfing event ever held in Malibu California, which will take place from October 1-9 this year.
The World Championship Tour (WCT) event will showcase 18 top ranked women surfers from around the globe at one of the worldís best right-hand point breaks, with more than 5,000 spectators expected to attend.
ìWe welcome the worldís best female surfers to Malibu in early October for this yearís event and all the magic that Hollywood has to offer,î Rip Curl Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Adam Sharp said on Tuesday.
The Australian contingent looks strong for the $62,500 prize with six time World Champion Layne Beachley desperate to secure a win if she is to have any chance of retaining her crown. Young guns Chelsea Georgeson and Lauren McGrath will also be chasing the title.
Celebrity actors are expected to participate in a tag team surf event which will seek to expose Hollywoodís best celebrity surfers and no doubt prove a crowd pleaser.
By Nathan Motton
Rip Curl website

Sharapova through to third round (September 1)
Women's number one tennis seed Maria Sharapova has advanced through to the third round of the US Open after she defeated little-known Dally Randriantefy 6-1, 6-0 on Arthur Ashe Court yesterday.
In blustery conditions, Sharapova took 49 minutes to blow her Madagascan opponent off the court, and out of the tournament.
“I'm hitting [the ball] pretty well. I didn't have a lot of matches coming into this tournament. In the first round I felt really solid actually. Played better than I thought I would,” she said in a post-match conference, “But I know the matches are going to get tougher and tougher from here. You know, that's where you have to pick up your game.”
Commenting on the conditions, Sharapova remarked that she was “glad [she] gained a few pounds,” by eating that extra piece of cake; otherwise she would have been blown off her feet, and around the globe somewhere.
Sharapova's next opponent in the third round will be German Julia Schruff, after she defeated American Lisa Raymond 6-2, 6-3.
In other matches, second seed Lindsay Davenport ground out a hard-fought win after defeating China's Na Li, 6-4, 6-4.
“I didn't feel like I was at my sharpest in tennis, but really happy to go out there, win the match and get to move on.” Davenport said.
By Rick D'Andrea
US Open website

Molik out in first round (September 1)
Australian Alicia Molik has been knocked out of contention of the US Open title, in the first round by Shenay Perry who is currently ranked 118.
She was Australia's biggest female contender but 14th seeded Molik went down in straight sets, making this her worst performance in the grand slam event since her debut in 1999.
“That's a match I should win, but if I'd attacked more it would have been a straight-sets win to me," said a disappointed Molik.
This was only Molik's third match in four months, as a serious middle-ear infection had prevented her from playing.
Molik will have to work hard to hold on to her ranking, preparing to defend her title at Luxemburg late this month and Zurich in mid October.
“I'm not just out here to get back into it again. I want to win again," she said.
Fellow Australian Nicole Pratt is also out of the US Open after being defeated by American Laura Granville in a grueling three-hour match.
By Danielle Tralli
The Age home; News story
Fox Sports home; News story
Tennis X
Tennis Rulz

Camplin's Return (September 1)
Victoria's recent bout of wild weather has caused concern for the 10 nations competing in the two aerial skiing World Cup Competitions, hosted at Mt Buller this weekend. The strong winds and heavy rain has left the aerial course needing repair, and also left many athletes unable to train.
This event will welcome the return of Australia's Olympic Gold Medallist, Alisa Camplin, who was forced to take an 18-month hiatus from competition after tearing her cruciate ligament and under-going extensive knee surgery.
The current hold of on-snow training at Mt Buller must be particularly frustrating for Camplin, who told the Daily Telegraph that this return to competition has her feeling “as nervous as I was as a young, inexperienced athlete”.
The two events at Mt Buller will provide Camplin with her first opportunity to meet the performance criteria for selection in the Australian team, due to compete in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.
By Sarah Carson
Skiing Australia home; Camplin page
Daily Telegraph

Touch squads announced for All Nations tournament (September 1)
The Australian Touch Association has announced the 18-woman squad to compete at the All Nations Tournament in Christchurch, New Zealand between October 26 and 29.
Australia is sending men's, women's mixed open and senior division sides to compete at the tournament.
Of the 18-squad members, ten are from New South Wales, five from Queensland, two from the Northern Territory and one from Australian Capital Territory. The squad members are: Sharlene Harriman (NSW), Rachael Holden (NSW), Amanda Judd (NSW), Kristy Judd (NSW), Stacey Lapham (NSW), Dominique Maher (NSW), Melissa Pitfield (NSW), Louise Winchester (NSW), Claire Winchester (NSW), Kelly Woods (NSW), Renee Henderson (QLD), Rachael Reid (QLD), Peta Rogerson (QLD), Sharyn Williams (QLD), Roxy Winder (QLD), Bo de la Cruz (NT), Shelley Matcham (NT), Jarah Jennings (ACT) and the squad is being coached by Kerry Norman.
The All Nations Tournament is an important building block in preparation for the 2007 World Cup in South Africa.
By Stephen Ritchie
Touch Australia
Touch NZ
Australian Sports Commission

Hockeyroos set sights on India (September 1)
The Hockeyroos coach Frank Murray has high hopes for his team in the upcoming tournament in India, after they took a clean sweep of the Holiday Inn Women's Challenge against Korea.
It was a 6-0 from the series, that took place in Adelaide, Brisbane, Ipswich and the Gold Coast. The win has generated high expectations of the forthcoming Indira Ghandi International, the World Cup Qualifier and the Champions Trophy.
Key striker Nikki Hudson returned to the team with a seven-goal haul in the Holiday Inn Women's Challenge and if her form continues, the combination with the return of Susie Faulkner will be unstoppable in India.
"There were some really good things that came out of it. Some of the players really put their hands up and they are getting used to the demands we are putting on them in order to be successful at this level," said coach Murray.
The details of the team that will play in the Indira Ghandi International was released yesterday and will see the return of key defender Emma Meyer after recovering from a shin injury.
New Deli, India, is the venue from September 29 to October 10 and includes teams from India, New Zealand, Malaysia, Russia and Lithuania.
The Hockeyroos will later play New Zealand in the World Cup Qualifiers in Auckland on November 30 and then in Sydney on of November 3 and 5, shortly followed by the Champions Trophy in Canberra on November 26 to December 4.
By Taryn Preston
Hockey Australia homepage; News

World Rowing Championships underway in Japan (September 1)
The World Rowing Championships are well underway in Gifu, Japan and Australia's women crews are having great success. The Australian Womens 8 recovered from a disastrous heat on Tuesday to claw their way into the women's final. The crew sprinted to the finish line and overtook Germany and Belarus to make the final this Sunday. They will face the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands and the favourites Romania.
All Australia's crews have had success these championships. Tasmanian Kerry Hore, in the single scull and the women's double scull have made their respective finals. Rowing Australia director Noel Donaldson told AAP, “To have everyone of our crews qualify for semi-finals is terrific.”
By Antonia Magee
AAP
Rowing Australia
World Rowing.com

Golf funding crisis averted by amalgamation (September 1)
After four years of talks, a funding crisis has been averted in Australian golf with the Australian Golf Union (AGU) and Women's Golf Australia (WGA) deciding to combine to form a new body named Golf Australia to oversee the amateur game.
The historic merger was agreed to at a joint meeting of representatives from the AGU and WGA yesterday and the draft constitution is set to be ratified at the annual general meetings of both organizations next month.
Continual haggling over the merger between the two bodies has caused government funding of almost $2.5 million for the game to be withdrawn by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
Just last month the AGU at their Special General Meeting voted against the amalgamation of the mens and womens national peak bodies.
The sticking point had been the refusal of the Victorian and New South Wales state bodies to agree to an independent board.
The VGA and NSW Golf Association, which hold 13 votes on the AGU council, had insisted on retaining their seats on any new board.
However the WGA was adamant an independent board be established to administer gold across the country.
New South Wales and Victoria finally agreed to the merger when it became clear that the alternative was a fee hike for all registered golfers to compensate for the loss of federal government money.
The dispute had threatened the development of elite young golfers at the Australian Institute of Sport and threatened the future of our national teams competing overseas.
By Lauren Hilbert
Womens Golf Australia
Australian Golf Union
Australian Institute of Sport -- golf

Opals On Route to Brazil (September 1)
Australia's own Price Attack Opals have qualified for the 2006 World Championships held in Brazil by making a clean sweep against the New Zealand Tall Ferns during a three day series for the 2005 Oceania Women's Basketball Championships.
The Opals have maintained their unbeatable record against the Kiwis by scoring 77-51 the first day, 75-67 and 67-38 in the subsequent games. The Opals were lead by top scorers Jenny Whittle, Jacinta Hamilton and Hollie Grima.
With good defensive tactics from the Opals, the Tall Ferns were unable to make a run for the basket, only able to shoot for 27 per cent in the third series.
With Melbourne's 2006 Commonwealth Games in March approaching, the Opals and the Tall Ferns will meet again to see who will take home the coveted gold medals from the inaugural basketball competition.
By Nataskia van Dam
Basketball Australia
International Federation -- Oceania

Return to top

Click to return to our archives

We cover...
Athletics
Basketball
Cricket
Football
Golf
Motorsport
Netball
Swim
Tennis
& much more!
See Sports index

AllWomenSport.com
Australian sports news & lifestyle

* Home * What's new * Sports index * Features * My story * Employment * New products * Archives & downloads * Coming events *Links * The trade * Fitness & health * Editorial * About us * Letters * Return to main Guidomedia index