Despite it still being under construction, the Illawarra is beginning to see the positive economic and social impacts of the St George Illawarra Dragons’ new $65 million high performance facility, the Bruce Gordon Centre. The centre, scheduled for completion next year, has sparked job opportunities, tourism and excitement, especially for the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus, where the facility is situated. Upon completion, the centre will become the training base for the Dragons, with its amenities bringing the club into line with its Sydney rivals’ in having a state of the art facility. Thomas Panayiotou reports. https://youtu.be/IYxlVcBciQE
Author: Thomas Panayiotou
The Multicultural Communities Council Illawarra organises sports and recreational activities for all youth during the school holiday period. Youth worker of the Multicultural Communities Council Illawarra, Emily Duncan said the activities help youngsters keep fit and have fun. “We run a suite of fun programs and activities that are aimed basically to get young people outside, having fun and doing new things,” Miss Duncan said. Miss Duncan said it the events included an outdoor cinema, soccer and volleyball on the beach. “There are over 400 families that MCCI works with within the Illawarra and we are inviting as many people…
The University of Wollongong Tennis Club is giving members the chance to improve their skills on a social and competitive level. UOW Tennis Club player Ben Petrevski said the club has been playing a significant role in enhancing not only his skills but the social element of tennis. “Personally, tennis is a good way not only to burn a few calories but also to get outside and see my mates, so to me it is something very casual but still special to me,” Mr Petrevski said. “Through the club I’ve meet a new group of people who share similar thoughts…
Illawarra Junior Soccer is introducing a points-per-game system for the divisions that missed games due to weather washouts through the season calendar. Wollongong United FC, under 18s player, Patrick Vaughn has explained how the season changed with the introduction of the system in which teams progress through the ladder, instead of the normal three-point system from a win. “If you won one game you would go up like two positions on the table and if you lost you end up on the bottom of the table,” Vaughn said. Vaughn added that the main reason for the introduction of the new…
The 2024 WEMBO World Solo 24 Hour Mountain Bike event will give bike riders around Australia the opportunity to reach professional status. Mountain bike rider Micah Braddock said success at the championship, to be held in Canberra this weekend, could potentially lead to sponsor opportunities and draw the attention of biking teams. “If you compete at a large event like this, riders like me and others have the chance to draw exposure and lets us show off our skills at an international level,” Mr Braddock said. “If you do well or even win the championship you could have the opportunity…
Nareena Hills Tennis Court Coordinator has released details of the upcoming final series with a mix of teams competing in the final fixtures. Coordinator Linda Bailey has announced the club won’t be the host of the finals this year, instead Fairy Meadows and Corrimal Courts will jointly take part in hosting the event. “The semi-finals and finals are mainly been held this year at the Fairy Meadows tennis centre and the Corrimal courts because mainly they just have a few more courts available there,” Ms Bailey said. Nareena Hills teams will have five of the seven teams participating in the…
The UOW Run Club offers students an inclusive and supportive environment to exercise, socialise, improve their lifestyles, and escape temporarily from the university semester. UOW Run Club president Jonty Westbrook said the number of people in attendance at the run club events and sessions is growing, often surpassing over 30 participants. “The attendance on a Monday is good we are usually looking at around 50 to 60 people on a Monday especially if the weather is good people like to turn out for the runs,” Mr Westbrook said. “For Wednesday it goes to around 20 to 30 which is a bit…
The University of Wollongong welcomes international students to the campus with a program providing free sports throughout the semester. UOW pulse team member Gerard Jacobma says his passion for sports, particularly soccer, is the main reason he has got involved with the free sports program. “When I came to UOW, I was welcomed by the Pulse team to lead the soccer, and I think soccer is in my blood,” Mr Jacomba said. He also said it is important for all international students to feel connected to one another through the program. “Being an international student and seeing a lot of…
The Saint George Illawarra Dragons suffered a 10-38 defeat at the hands of the Cronulla Sharks on Saturday at WIN Stadium, putting in peril their hopes of making the NRL finals. Entering the final weeks of the season, the Dragons are separated from ninth place Brisbane Broncos by just two points. The loss on Saturday marks the club’s fifth defeat in their last nine games. A dedicated Dragon’s fan in attendance, Julian Ali lamented the result and his team’s inconsistency. “It was one-sided to be honest. The Sharks dominated, and it is a rivalry that has been going on since…