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News -- October 2006
Smith inducted into Golf Hall of Fame (31 October)
 LPGA Founder Marilynn Smith is one five being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on the World Golf Hall of Fame lawn at the World Golf Village in St Augustine, Florida.
Smith turned professional in 1949 and was one of 13 women with the vision to found a professional golf organization for women: the LPGA. She was elected president of the Tour from 1957-1960 and during her tenure founded the teaching division—now known as LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals (T&CP)—with Shirley Spork, Betty Hicks and Barbara Rotvig. Smith won just four tournaments between 1954 and 1960, but between 1962 and 1972, would go on to win 17 events, including back-to-back Titleholders Championship in 1963-64—an LPGA major at the time.
Source: LGPA
American appointed to international bike body (31 October)
American Motorcyclist Association staff member Sue Mason has been elected vice president of the Women and Motorcycling Committee of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the international governing body for motorcycle sport and touring.
The purpose of the CFM, which held its first official meeting in Brazil, is "To create equal opportunities and treatment for all women involved in all aspects of activities related to motorcycling." The commission is led by Beaulah Schoeman, managing director of Motorsports South Africa and president of the African Motorcycle Union, one of six FIM continental unions.
Full release at the AMA
Porter takes basketball award (30 October)
From the WNBL: Sydney Uni Flames star Nat Porter has been awarded the Nivea Player of the Week for Round 4, the second time this season, after leading the Flames to a 2-0 Victorian road trip.
Porter, who won the Nivea Player of the Week in Round 1, scored 35 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 blocked shots and a steal in Sydney Uni’s victories over the Bulleen Boomers and the Dandenong Rangers.
In 194 WNBL games, Porter had never experienced such a successful trip south.
“It is the first time I have ever been a part of that (2-0) in my career and it’s been a while since the Flames have done this,” Porter said.
Full story at WNBL
Kite-surfing event takes off (28 October)
 The first-ever Cindy Mosey Island Odyssey recently came to a close after what we’re told was an incredible week of kitesurfing, friendship and cultural exchange on the remote and beautiful islands of Kadavu, Fiji.
There were 10 professional riders on hand to give advice and encouragement tp people with wide-ranging skill levels, as well as to compete in an exciting freestyle division won by current world champion Kristen Boese of Germany.
“I really believe you get one chance at life and you have to make the most of it, so do what makes you happy,” event organizer Cindy Mosey told the participants at an emotional farewell and prizegiving on Kenia Resort, Kadavu.
Sponsors North Kiteboarding overwhelmed the group when each recreational rider was presented with either a brand new North kite or board. The Fiji Visitors Bureau is already preparing to provide infrastructure for an event next year and sponsors Sun Air and Air Pacific safely transported huge amounts of kiting gear at no extra charge.
A big thank you went to the event’s main sponsor Balance Vector, whose film crew captured every moment and will be distributing footage around the world. (Pic: IanTrafford.com)
See this event link
High hopes for tomorrow’s triathlon (28 October)
From the Courier-Mail newspaper: world champion Emma Snowsill is keen to continue Australia's recent dominance over trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in tomorrow's Noosa Triathlon, which has drawn the strongest women's field in several years. See this link
Sharapnova in Linz quarterfinals (26 October)
From the WTA: Faced with a stiff first set challenge from Eleni Daniilidou on Thursday afternoon, Maria Sharapova hung tough then pounced at her first opportunity, storming into the Generali Ladies Linz quarterfinals in straight sets. Patty Schnyder also won her opener, keeping herself in the running for a berth in the Sony Ericsson Championships.
Sharapova, the top seed, and Daniilidou, a qualifier, hung on tightly to their serves throughout the first 10 games, but it was the Russian who cracked open the match with a break, going up 6-5. She blasted three aces in serving out the set and then cruised through the second after her opponent called for a medical time-out for dizziness, losing only three points in the last four games of the match and improving to 4-0 lifetime against the former Top 15 player from Greece. Full story.
Australia defeats White Ferns (26 October)
New Zealand’s White Ferns cricket team went down zero matches to four against the Australian Southern Stars team in Brisbane yesterday, despite New Zealander Maria Fahey scoring her second 50 in a row.
The Kiwis were chasing 253 from the Stars but were dismissed for 167 in the final game.
Southern Stars; White Ferns
Australian wins NZ motocross championship (26 October)
Up and coming Aussie rider Kristie Gillespie has taken out the 2006 New Zealand Women’s Motocross Championship at the final round held at Waimate near Timaru, on the South Island.
Riding the 2007 model KTM 250 SX-F for VIC motorcycle dealership Wodonga KTM, Kristie Gillespie headed across the Tasman on a mission to claim the NZ title after just missing out on the Australian Championship to Kiwi rider Emma Davis.
In her last ride as a privateer before joining Motorex KTM Factory Racing, Kristie Gillespie raced three 15 minute motos across picturesque open terrain set amongst massive boulders on New Zealand’s rugged landscape.
Commenting on her win Kristie Gillespie said, “In moto one, Emma Davis held the lead for the start of the race but I gained on her towards the end and won the race by 3.6 seconds.
“My second moto didn’t start off too strong with Mary Perkins leading for several laps but I reeled her in and won that race by six seconds.
“Finally in my third moto, I took the hole shot and held the lead until I got caught up with some lapped riders. This gave Nicky Scott a chance to put the pressure on me but I ended up claiming the win by three seconds to secure the New Zealand Women’s Motocross Championship.
“I was really disappointed on missing out on the Australian Women’s Motocross Championship to NZ rider Emma Davis, so to claim the NZ title and beat Emma was rewarding.
“Emma and I joked after the racing that we’re now even claiming Championship titles in each others countries.
“From next month I will be riding under factory colours, with Motorex KTM signing me as their first women rider on an Australian/New Zealand factory team. I’m really excited about my future in racing with Motorex KTM, as I will have all the bike and part assistance I need.
“I will still continue to be associated with my long time dealership supporter Wodonga KTM, because I work there in sales and spare parts. The assistance provided by Dealer Principal, John Hill and all the team at Wodonga KTM has been awesome over the years, to help me reach so many podiums. I know they’re all stoked I now have a factory ride and I hope to be on more podiums and next year claim back the Australian Women’s Motocross Championship.”
Kristie Gillespie will next race at Appin in December for the NSW Supercross Championship, where she will be going for her second consecutive state title. Updates on Kristie’s racing results will be posted at www.ktm.com.au. (Source: KTM)
Kydd for NZ? (25 October)
Netball goaler Cynna Kydd, who has played on the Australian team, may be heading to New Zealand just a year after she moved from the Kestrels to the Melbourne Phoenix, according to a report by The Age newspaper.
There has been considerable debate and ill-feeling recently because Australian players are poorly paid when compared to their NZ counterparts.
Plus… Former Netball Vic CEO Kate Palmer will head the national team. “Kate is an excellent leader and has the ability and experience to lead our sport in this exciting new phase of development,” Netball Australia President, Noeleen Dix said.
“A strategic and innovative thinker, Kate inspired her large staff at Netball Victoria to strive to be market leaders and they have set benchmarks in many areas of development."
One of her roles will be to develop the trans-Tasman league, which is expected to start from late 2008.
Legge wipes out at Indy Gold Coast (23 October)
 British-born driver Katherine Legge had a tough weekend, competing in the Indy 300 on the Gold Coast. She ended up starting from last on the grid after an unusually troubled qualifying session, which included engine problems on Friday and a couple of spins on Saturday.
Sunday – race day – was filled with dramas, including losing time after avaoiding another stricken car and, eventually, a crash.
"Obviously it has been a very difficult weekend for the Bell Micro PKV Racing team," said Legge, who now drops to 16th in the points table, "We had the engine problem on Friday that limited the amount of track time I got then, today, it was one thing after another on the track.”
Pic by the Katherine Legge website
Llewellyn crowned bodyboard champ (23 October)
Kira Llewellyn posted a sensational victory in the Women's Bodyboard division of the Lost Energy Drink ISA World Surfing Games to help Team Australia to overall victory. Click here for the Surfing Oz report on the world surfing games
Sharapova scores fourth title for 2006 (22 October)
One of the grittiest competitors was let loose at the Zürich Open on Sunday, and although Daniela Hantuchova was able to squeeze out the middle set it was to no avail, as Maria Sharapova regrouped in the third to complete a hard-fought 61 46 63 victory for her fourth title of the year.
Just like she had done in her first three rounds, as well as throughout her career in general, Sharapova battled for each and every point in the near-two-hour final. After a lopsided first set, the drama picked up in the second; Hantuchova broke in the opening game, held onto the break throughout the set, and finally evened the match at a set apiece after a tight 10th game, where she saved five break points, all with winners, closing it out on her third set point. It was the first time in their last five meetings she was able to claim a set.
Source: WTA Tour website
Oz netballers win tough third trans-Tasman match (17 October)
 A spirited Australian Netball Team has thrown down the gauntlet to World Champions, New Zealand ahead of next year’s World Championships, winning the third Test in Christchurch, 46-40 to clinch the Fisher & Paykel series.
Australia has now defeated the Silver Ferns three times in their last four contests.
“To get two wins in this series against them is just the best,” Australian coach, Norma Plummer said courtside after the victory.
“They threw it all at us, but we fought and fought. The self-belief in the team was great.”
In a testing physical and mental battle in front of a parochial 7,000 strong crowd, Australia’s starting seven - unchanged during the series - answered every challenge thrown at them by the Silver Ferns.
Full report at Netball Australia (pictured)
Silver Ferns win second test by 6 (14 October)
From Netball Australia: A revitalised New Zealand Silver Ferns hit back, winning the second Test against Australia in Auckland on October 14 by six goals, 43-37, to level the Fisher & Paykel series.
The series decider on Monday night, 16 October in Christchurch will now be broadcast LIVE across Australia from 4.30pm AEST in a tremendous show of support for netball by ABC TV.
Australia’s poor shooting percentage – 67 percent at half time to New Zealand’s 82 percent – proved costly, with crucial opportunities squandered. Sharelle McMahon, playing at goal shooter for three quarters and goal attack in the tense last quarter, was Australia’s lone steady hand in attack, scoring 19 goals at 83 percent. Susan Pratley, at goal attack, struggled to convert all night, scoring 13 goals from 20 attempts at 65 percent, and Cath Cox was benched after the first quarter.
New Zealand’s trademark zone defence stifled Australia’s attacking momentum after half time breaking open the contest in the third quarter, with the Silver Ferns outscoring Australia 14-7 in the term to seize a six goal lead at the last change, 33-27.
From the opening quarter, the match-ups across the court were enthralling duels: Liz Ellis (GK) against the towering Irene van Dyk (GS), Sharelle McMahon (GS) enduring the physical attention of Viliamainu Davu (GK) and the close-checking of the talented midcourts - Selina Gilsenan (WD) against Adine Wilson (WA) and the lightning fast centres, Natalie von Bertouch head-to-head with Temepara George.
Click here for the full story at Netball Australia
Australia stuns NZ in netball (12 October)
Australia scored a surprise 51-47 win over New Zealand in the first of three trans-Tasman test matches today.
Netball Australia link
Oz wildcard takes world round (11 October)
 Wildcard surfer Stephanie Gilmore (Aus) wowed the world when she became the youngest-ever winner of an ASP Women’s World Tour event in 2005. She’s stamped herself in the history books with her win at the $US100,000 Havaianas Beachley Classic today.
Nineteen-year-old Gilmore is the only individual in surfing history to win two ASP World Championship Tour events as a wildcard.
Surfing from the trials to take out the richest event in women’s surfing history, the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) No. 2 led the entire 35-minute final to post an emphatic victory at Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia, this morning.
“This whole event has happened in just three days and now it’s all over!” Gilmore said. “I took it heat by heat and everything’s fallen into place. It’s unbelievable. Layne’s a six-time world champ and one of the best competitors in the world; she’s really smart in a heat and I have learnt a lot watching her. It’s been great just being out in the water with her, so to come out on top, I just can’t even explain it.”
Despite not yet being a full-fledged fixture on the ASP Women’s World Tour, Gilmore, who is already one of the highest paid female surfers in the world, earned US$20,000 for her win today. That figure is double what the average women’s world tour event doles out.
Gilmore didn’t paddle out expecting to earn the cash easily. Beachley’s Semifinal win over Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) had the Manly local looking the girl to beat.
“I was watching Layne and Chelsea’s Semi and Layne got a 9.0 and a 7.5 and I thought, ‘OK, this is going to be really hard,’ but I had a little plan and things changed around and time went a lot quicker than I thought. I was sitting out there in the lead, but not by much and I was like, 'Go, get a wave girl, go!’ and then I got that last one at the end which sealed it. My heart was pounding like crazy, I can’t believe it!”
More at the ASP World Tour site (Pic: ASP)
Oz vs UnZud -- preview (10 October)
Netball Australia says its rebuilding phase is over and they have their eyes firmly set on claiming victory in the three-test series against arch-rivals New Zealand, starting Thursday October 12.
“We are playing to win,” declared national coach Norma Plummer as the team arrived in Wellington to prepare for the opening test.
“We need to keep the foot down now, we are here to win.
“There are no injuries in the squad – how beautiful is that!”
With the 2007 World Championships looming in just under nine months time, these two gallant netball combatants are looking for any edge to take into the next world title showdown.
Australia has not won on New Zealand soil since 2001, but Plummer believes victory will come if her team concentrates on its own strengths.
“Our match-ups are better all over the court now. We are not worried about New Zealand, we need to get out there and play our own game,” she said.
“We have had limited preparation but the team is focussed and ready to challenge."
Australia has made two changes for this series - recalling utility midcourter Natasha Chokljat and selecting rookie defender, Julie Prendergast to replace injured Jess Shynn and Susan Fuhrmann.
“Natasha is an experienced player who brings a lot of versatility to the team,” Plummer said.
“She adds an extra component. We can use her right across the centre line from wing defence to centre or wing attack. If we need to change it up we are confident Natasha will cover.”
Nineteen-year-old Prendergast, the current Australian 21/U captain, replaces Susan Furhmann, who is sidelined with a stress fracture to the foot.
“Julie is a marvellous athlete who brings youth and ability to our team,” Plummer said. “She is so versatile and can play at keeper or goal defence and she’ll learn a lot from this tour.”
Note: New Zealand will be playing without defender Casey Williams, who has been ruled out by a knee injury.
Australian Netball Team
Liz Ellis – Captain, Sydney TAB Swifts
Sharelle McMahon – Vice Captain, Melbourne First National Phoenix
Bianca Chatfield, Melbourne First National Phoenix
Natasha Chokljat, Melbourne First National Phoenix
Catherine Cox, Sydney TAB Swifts
Mo’onia Gerrard, Sydney TAB Swifts
Selina Gilsenan, Sydney TAB Swifts
Kristen Heinrich, Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds
Susan Pratley, Sydney TAB Swifts
Julie Prendergast, Melbourne First National Phoenix
Laura von Bertouch, Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds
Natalie von Bertouch, Medibank Adelaide Thunderbirds
(Source: Netball Australia) More reporting – see this NZ Herald story
Silver for Hockeyroos (9 October)
 From Hockey Australia:
The Hockeyroos have finished second at the Samsung Hockey World Cup after going down 3-1 to world number one the Netherlands in Madrid overnight.
In a scrappy, hard fought game the Netherlands proved too strong, with the Hockeyroos unable to create any rhythm going into attack, worn down by the strong Dutch defence.
While at the other end, the Dutch continued to bombard the Hockeyroos backline, gaining momentum in the second half and overpowering the Australians for the 3-1 win.
Hockey Australia report; Samsung World Cup Homepage
Hockeyroos through to final (7 October)
From Hockey Australia: The Hockeyroos are through to their third World Cup final from the last four World Cups after defeating home team Spain in a bizarre semi-final.
In the last minute of the match Spain earnt a penalty corner for a chance to break the deadlock and go into their first ever final, however, the ground was plunged into darkness as someone apparently deliberately turned out the lights. Play was stopped for fifteen minutes while the lights returned, when it did resume Spain couldn't convert from two attempts and the game went into extra-time.
Hockey Australia report
Big pay boost for netball (4 October)
 From Netball Australia: In a major boost for the Australian Netball Team on the eve of their three-test series against New Zealand, Netball Australia has announced it has agreed to increase payments to the players in recognition of their outstanding contribution to the sport.
Netball Australia will substantially increase payments for Australian team and squad players whilst on tour and during their attendance at national selection and preparation camps.
The sport’s governing body reached agreement with the Australian Netball Players Association (ANPA) today on a range of issues, including increasing player payments.
“It is a just reward for these dedicated players who juggle work and study demands with competing at the highest level of our sport,” Netball Australia Executive President, Noeleen Dix said.
“The increased payments will assist players who need to take time off to attend national camps or go on tour with the Australian team.
“Our agreement with the ANPA is a positive step forward for the players, and Netball Australia will continue to target potential revenue sources to further develop the professionalism of the sport.”
The 2006/07 Australian Squad will attend a selection camp in Canberra this week, from Thursday, September 28 to Monday, October 2, under the direction of national coach, Norma Plummer to prepare for next month’s Fisher & Paykel Test Series against the Silver Ferns in New Zealand.
The Australian team to tour New Zealand will be announced next week following the camp.
The opening test in Wellington on October 12 has sold out with fans eager to see the last showdown between the World’s top two netball nations ahead of the 2007 World Netball Championships in Fiji.
ABC TV will broadcast all three matches, including live coverage of the second test from 4.30pm AEST on Saturday, October 14. The final test in Christchurch is on October 16.
Ed's note: The players aren't likely to get rich. Their daily allowance has been raised from $100 per day to $200.
Netball Australia; See this link for the team selection story
Hockeyroos draw for a place in the semi-finals (3 October)
The Hockeyroos missed a golden opportunity to all but seal top spot in Pool B of the Samsung Hockey World Cup with a nil-all draw against Japan overnight, however, the result has ensured they have still qualified for Friday's semi-finals.
It will now come down to the final match of the pool rounds for the Hockeyroos when they face Argentina on Wednesday in a battle for top spot. It will be a crucial match for placings as the result will decide who plays who in the cross-over semi-finals.
With the Netherands on top of Pool A, Germany and Spain are three points behind with two matches left for all three teams. Germany and the Netherlands will play one of those matches, with England being the other match for the Germans and China for the Dutch. Spain are a strong chance to qualify with their last two games very winnable, against England and India.
For the Hockeyroos though, they won't care who they face in the finals, for them it will be about taking care of their own destiny, and to do that they have a lot of work to do in attack - as evidenced in last night's game.
The Hockeyroos struggled against an overly defensive Japanese outfit, with their strikers continually turning the ball over when driving forward.
With 48 circle penetrations and 11 shots on goal, for no result, national coach, Frank Murray was justifiably unhappy.
"It was a disappointing performance by our forwards against a tight and congested defence," he said.
While they struggled in attack, defensively the Hockeyroos dominated, as they've done all tournament.
"Halliday, McGurk and Imison again showed their standing in world hockey with some brilliant defensive work," said Murray.
Source: Hockey Australia
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