Sweet 16 just a start for dominant Northcliffe
FIFTEEN years ago Shane Warne rewrote Test cricket’s record books with his 500th wicket.
Port Adelaide ended the Brisbane Lions’ chance of winning four AFL premierships in a row and Maykbe Diva won the Melbourne Cup.
That year, 2004, also marked the start of North- cliffe’s incredible national title record.
This year the club will be gunning for a record 16th straight Aussie title and president David Shields said that his members are gearing up to extend their streak.
“We’ve been at the top of the tree for a long time so staying up there is our goal but it’s getting harder to do,” he said.
“It would mean a lot to win 16 straight though because no other club has done that.
“There a lot of clubs out there with great surf sports program so we wish all the competitors and clubs well.”
Shields, who believes Newport (Sydney), Currumbin, Kurrawa and Alexandra Heads will be among their main competitors, said that it was an honour to be at the top for so long. “We’ve had a lot of athletes come through our club during that time and it’s been a challenge to continue to provide opportunities at a high level for all of them,” he said.
“It’s energising for our young athletes coming through to train with athletes of such high calibre like Georgia Miller, Courtney Hancock and Shannon Eckstein.
“It’s Shannon’s last Aussies so it’ll be sad to see him go but someone will come in behind him and develop.”
After travelling to Perth for the Aussies last year, Shields said that his team of more than 150 athletes would relish staying at home.
“We’re very happy to have them here,” he said.
“Some of our members will be able to paddle down on the morning of which is a big change to Perth last year.”