Local Illawarra sporting identity Lee Murray is preparing for one of his most ambitious challenges yet ahead of this weekend’s 65,000 Reasons To Fight fundraiser in support of local mental health programs. The 36-hour event at his Titleshot Boxing and Fitness gym in Wollongong is in benefit of Talk2MeBro, a charity which aims to end suicide in Australia by delivering crucial mental health education and support. Alongside raising funds and awareness, Murray is also aiming to break the Guinness World Record of catching 500 three-minute rounds in the boxing ring, along with the added challenge of trying to catch 65,000 punches, one…
Author: Tallon Smith
The Corrimal Cougars have secured a place in the Illawarra Rugby League finals for the first time in 16 years after a 40-12 win over De La Salle Caringbah in Woolooware on Saturday. Led by doubles to Joe Duggan and Logen Dillon, the Cougars ran in a remarkable seven tries to two to secure a crucial victory that elevated them above Thirroul into fifth place and into their first postseason campaign since 2009. Corrimal Cougars President Grant Plecas said that it was a nervous day as the side looked to secure a win themselves whilst also relying on traditional rivals…
Creating pathways to university for Indigenous students has been a focus of many tertiary institutions over the past decade, but the success of initiatives has varied across the sector. The University of Wollongong has seen a consistent growth in Indigenous student numbers, engagement and success, according to key metrics. Over 3.6 per cent of the UOW student body identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, a number that has exceeded both internal targets and eclipsed the Accords 2035 targets, a decade in advance. UOW vice president (Indigenous Strategy and Engagement), Jaymee Beveridge said that the unprecedented numbers have come well…
Anticipation is building and preparations are underway after the launch of the inaugural Group 7 Rugby League Magic Round and Beer, Footy and Food Festival at Artie Smith Oval in Bomaderry on Thursday. Over 4000 rugby league players, spectators and officials are set to descend on the Shoalhaven for the event on May 31, which will see four back-to-back local first grade games played in conjunction with the first Good Time Beer Co’s event to be held south of Sydney, in a major boost to the local economy and tourism sector. Group 7 Senior Rugby League Operations Manager Ashton Sims…
Two AFL games over the weeked have marked major milestones for the GWS Giants and the game’s growth in Sydney. While the fixture clash between the two biggest sporting brands in the city, the AFL’s Swans, hosting their annual Marn Grook game, and the NRL’s Bulldogs. The Giants’ clash with Fremantle has also experienced a sense of occasion, as their 100th game at their home ground of Engie Stadium. Giants Head of Consumer Sales Ari Mansfield said that while there have been many challenges in establishing an Australian Rules club, the club has experienced some growth. “Before we played a…
Thousands of people from across the Illawarra’s Italian community are expected to converge on Fairy Meadow on Sunday for the annual Castagne Day festival at the Fraternity Club. The event, which has been running since 1952, features the traditional roasting of chestnuts, as well as market stalls, live entertainment, and rides and activities for kids. RadioU UOW · Thousands set to attend annual Castagne Day at Fraternity Club Fraternity Club Vice-President Connie Sacco said the club was expecting up to 5,000 people to pass through the gates on Sunday, with many of those travelling from near and far. “There’s a…
Past and present tertiary education students across Australia are eagerly awaiting the promised 20 per cent reduction to their HECS-HELP loans after the Albanese Labor Government was re-elected on Saturday. The anticipated changes come after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared the policy, first floated last year and criticised by the Coalition, was the first order of business for the newly-elected government, and for “[…] every Australian who works hard for the life-changing opportunity of higher education.” Wollongong Undergraduate Students Association President Hanzel-Jude Pador said the changes were a positive development for students at UOW and across the country. “Even if…
The NRL is poised to break a 10-year old attendance record this week as an undefeated Canterbury-Bankstown side host South Sydney, following three consecutive years of attendance growth for the competition. After a period of decline when fans were locked out during the COVID-19 Pandemic, attendances across the league have not only rebounded, but far surpassed pre-pandemic figures, with each of the past two seasons setting the all-time total attendance record. With the single-game record now beckoning, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs CEO Aaron Warburton said that if the crowd figure reaches the anticipated numbers, it would be a significant moment for the…
With the new Super Netball season starting this weekend, Australia’s best netballers are gearing up for another year of competition. After a difficult few seasons leading into last year, netball has been branded as anything from experiencing a ‘crisis’ to a ‘dying’ sport. The rise of female sister leagues to the traditionally male-dominated football codes of rugby league, Australian rules and soccer has seen netball face competition for talent, supporters and media attention in a way that it hasn’t before. However, in the face of a changing landscape that dismantled its largely unchallenged dominance of the women’s sports market in…
Female sport is the new frontier for Australia’s major codes and organisations with increased media coverage, professional salaries, and massive grassroots growth. Those at the helm of the leading competitions claim part of the rapid growth of women’s football across all Australia’s four major codes can be put down to the connection between the increasing visibility of the professional game and a growing grassroots base, with the junior talent pool, inspired by current athletes, filtering through to further strengthen elite level competition that they grew up watching. One traditionally male-dominated sport that has seen massive female participation growth at the…