CLUB legend Michael Squires will coach the Nelson Bay Gropers in next year’s Hunter Suburban Men’s Rugby first grade competition. The well-credentialled Squires takes over the reins from veteran Kiwi player-coach Zion Takarua, who has stepped down after one season at the helm. Squires, a Nelson Bay native who achieved coaching success with the Tamworth […]

MPs and surfers at the announcement. Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp and NSW Premier Chris Minns enjoy a surf in Newcastle. THE HUNTER is set to make waves on the world stage, with the NSW Government announcing that a World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series event will headline Newcastle Surfest in 2027. Newcastle Surfest, Australia’s […]

RAYMOND Terrace Athletics Centre is bubbling with junior talent in their track and field ranks. Twenty five of the club’s best young hopefuls demonstrated their athletic prowess at this year’s Port Hunter Zone Athletics Championships at Mallabula Sports Complex. A feature was the record-breaking feats of top prospects Scarlett Lodge, Asher MacDonald, Audrey Russell and […]

NELSON Bay’s top rugby juniors have described their Under 18s goodwill tour of Vanuatu as the best week of their sporting lives. Fourteen prospects from the Gropers’ powerful junior nursery have just returned from a seven day sojourn to the South Pacific island where they embraced the rich Melanesian culture and educated the locals on […]

SPORTING mums and retiring athletes are key targets of a $50 million funding package from the Australian Olympic Committee. It’s being hailed as the AOC’s most significant athlete-funding initiative since the buildup to the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Capitalising on a boost from its sizeable investment portfolio, the AOC will set up the $20 million Olympian […]

THEY don’t come more dedicated and loyal than Nelson Bay Football Club iron man Daniel McKenzie. After four decades of sterling service, the Salamander Bay native is one of the great survivors in the cauldron of the Newcastle Football Association community. There is no hint of retirement for the 46-year-old, who reached another career milestone […]

RAYMOND Terrace rugby league warrior Shanice Parker is ready to play a leader’s role with the Newcastle Knights in next year’s NRLW competition. Parker, a dual premiership-winning centre with the Knights, shapes as a key player in coach Ben Jeffries’ 2026 squad after strong performances this season in the domestic and representative arena. The loss […]

Awards all round for Medowie FC at Newcastle Football’s 35th Anniversary Awards Night at the Newcastle Exhibition and Convention Centre. Medowie FC’s U13/1 A Grade team with back to back Grand Final wins. Medowie FC’s outstanding U14/1 A Grade team celebrate after winning an historic Northern NSW Champions of Champions trophy in Coffs Harbour. Medowie […]

ACCOMPLISHED lawn bowler Andrew Henry has been crowned Soldiers Point Bowling Club’s men’s major singles champion for 2025. The talented Henry downed experienced campaigner Tony Hinton by 25 shots to 21 to claim the sought-after title in a much anticipated final. Both bowlers came into the title decider in top form with the wily Hinton […]

NELSON Bay Gropers excitement machine Khace Petera is this year’s recipient of Hunter Suburban Rugby’s Cyril Burke Medal. The classy young fly half capped a stellar 2025 season when judged the best and fairest player in the President’s Cup first grade competition by the Hunter Rugby Union referees. Petera turned in consistent performances for the […]