Well-drilled team goes marching on
A GOLD Coast surf club is flying the flag for Australia’s iconic march past in an era where youth are drawn to high-action sports.
The Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park production line has rolled out another gold medal-winning team with the club’s Nippers claiming the Queensland Youth Championship at the weekend.
It was the club’s fifth successive state junior title and ninth since 2003.
While some clubs have trouble finding children disciplined enough to master the finer points of the march past, Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park doesn’t – to a point.
“We had a total of 23 marchers, with 12 in the team and 11 in the colour party,” head coach Nev Huth said of his club’s success at the state championships at Alexandra Headland on Sunday.
The 12 members of the march past team were girls, reflecting a trend in junior ranks.
“It has been a little challenging in recent years to get boys involved in march past,” Huth said.
“Four of our colour party were boys and we will attempt to also field an allboys team next season.
“We are encouraged by the commitment of our four boys and look to build upon this.”
The winning Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park team was Isabella Armson, Bridie Buckley, Annabelle Buckley, Katya Ewing, Sofia Gallagher, Yasmin Glifos, Genevieve Hogben, Ella Hogben, Tess McCabe, Josie McCabe, Hope Rees and Shae Williams.
The girls, aged from 12 to 15, lost just six points in the state championship and beat Maroochydore on a countback.
Miami finished third just one point behind, a reflection that other clubs are closing the gap on the champions.
Huth said Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park were carrying on the legacy of previous coach George Hill.
Club junior team manager Barb Jones said the squad trained at every Nippers session from the start of the season in September.
“Due to our continued success it is a little easier to get the kids to want to participate,” she said.
“Burleigh as a club highly respects the march past event and all members are proud to represent their club.”
DUE TO OUR CONTINUED SUCCESS IT IS A LITTLE EASIER TO GET THE KIDS TO WANT TO PARTICIPATE TEAM MANAGER BARB JONES