Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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Gilroy Santa Maria College has retained the Marbelli Cup for a third consecutive year after defeating Ingham State High School 21-13 in a hard-fought 2026 decider.

Played in front of a strong crowd at Ingham State High School, the final was preceded by a fun warm-up match between the senior boys from both schools, which had the crowd cheering as Ingham claimed a 12-3 victory.

The Marbelli Cup decider then saw both teams battle through a tense opening before Gilroy found its rhythm and pulled away to secure the Cup.

GSMC coach Maddyn White said the team responded strongly after last week’s narrow defeat, using the extra preparation to settle their nerves and execute their game plan in the decider.

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“It was a really good competition this year, so it went into a decider for the first time in a few years,” she said.

“I just gave the girls one job, and that was to convert our centre passes and have fun, and they definitely did that. So I'm very proud of them.”

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White said the team’s defensive pressure had also been a major focus during training.

“We normally train before school in the mornings. We had our last run this morning,” she said.

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“We really focused on pestering, so constantly pestering and not giving them any room to move. Lots of pressure towards the end. That was really good.”

GSMC captain Louise Kaurila said the team had grown throughout the three-game series, with the final victory made even more rewarding after the nerves of the earlier matches.

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“The first game we were kind of finding our footing,” she said.

“Second game lost it a little bit, but third game we came back and had less nerves because of our training this morning. Miss White was really encouraging, which always helps.”

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Kaurila praised Ingham High’s performance, particularly its defensive strength.

“They were a very strong defensive side,” she said.

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“We definitely had to work in our training sessions how to manage getting from the defence end down to attack end because they know all the tactics. They’re very good at defensive gameplay and watching where we go.”

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Kaurila and fellow Year 12 student Ruby were sent off in style, with the Cup win capping a season that also saw GSMC finish runners-up at the statewide QISSN Carnival.

Kenzi of Gilroy Santa Maria College and Ella of Ingham State High School were named Players of the Series and MVP's after standout campaigns across all three matches. Both players were recognised for their consistent performances, sportsmanship and contribution to their teams throughout the Marbelli Cup series.

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Ingham High, despite the defeat, praised its players for their heart, determination and composure throughout the series, while thanking the GSMC team for a competitive series played in great spirit.

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The Marbelli Cup continues to honour the legacy of Mrs Marbelli and her contribution to netball in the Herbert River region.

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Photo credit: Gilroy Santa Maria College Confraternity awards: Joan Devietti “Spirit of Confro” and Rugby League Player of the Year - Connor with Steven Devietti, Peter Groundwater “Confro Player of the Carnival” - Kieren with Peter Groundwater

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Contributed with thanks by Gilroy Santa Maria College

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Gilroy Santa Maria College celebrated the 2026 Confraternity and QISSN Carnivals in style at the Herbert River RSL Sub Branch, at their annual presentation night. The evening was a fantastic opportunity to honour the efforts of the college community throughout both campaigns and thank their valued parents, staff and sponsors for their involvement in the GSMC rugby league and netball programs.

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With over 80 guests in attendance, the RSL provided a beautifully prepared meal, before the crowd heard from Sports Coordinator Annan Whittington, Confraternity Coach Matthew Spina and QISSN Coach Maddyn White, with highlight videos and awards announced.  

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GSMC wishes to thank their valued sponsors: VAC IT FNQ, Nutrien Harcourts, Tyrepower Ingham, Brothers Leagues Club, Devietti Motors, NQ Travel & Cruise, NQIB Insurance Brokers, Spina Welding & Mechanical, Herbert River RSL Sub Branch, and Hinchinbrook Bus Service. Your support enabled our regional students the opportunity to compete at the two biggest school Rugby League and Netball Carnivals in the country.

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Congratulations to the following award recipients for their excellence across the year:

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QISSN Netball

Best attack- Lara Biasi  

Best defence- Louise Kaurila  

Coach's award- Chloe Accornero  

QISSN MVP- Lara Biasi

Spirit of QISSN- Ruby MacPherson  

QISSN Player of the Carnival- Kenzi Murdoch

Netball Player of the Year- Maggie Pappin

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Confraternity Rugby League

Most improved forward- Joel Accornero  

Most improved back- TJ Duncan

Coach's award- Paddy Galletly  

Joan Devietti “Spirit of Confro” - Connor Matsen

Peter Groundwater “Confro Player of the Carnival” - Kieren Martin

Rugby League Player of the Year- Connor Matsen

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The evening was wrapped up with a special thank you from the 2026 Confraternity and QISSN Captains, Connor Matsen and Louise Kaurila, acknowledging the tireless work done by the coaching staff. Thank you, Miss Maddyn White, Mrs Michelle Biasi, Mr Matthew Spina, Mr Jaidyn Spina, Mr Jack Dixon, Mr Paul Dezolt and Mr Annan Whittington for the endless hours of coaching and mentoring and creating a positive, yet high performing environment for the GSMC students.

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Leon Wuttrich and his caught coral trout. Photo supplied: Cardwell Sportfishing Club

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On an overcast day Leon managed to hook this beauty of a coral trout. What a wonderful looking fish, did you keep it for the plate or kiss it and toss 'er back?

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Do you want to flex your fishing skills in the newspaper? Send your fishing photo along with your name and what you caught to victoria@lifepublishinggroup.com to be featured in Catch of The Week!

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Ingham juniors at the Kaylinda Chase JDS Tournament. Photo supplied: Geoff Caso of the Ingham Tennis Association

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Contributed with thanks by the Ingham Tennis Association

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It was a great day of tennis for local juniors at the Kaylinda Chase JDS Tournament, with several Ingham players heading along to enjoy a day on the court and picking up some wins along the way.

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Blue skies and beautiful weather provided ideal conditions for the juniors to get out and enjoy their tennis, while gaining valuable experience in a competitive but fun environment.

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JDS tournaments are a great way for junior players to get involved in tennis and provide opportunities for players of different abilities to take part in. Being a great sport for developing hand-eye coordination, movement, concentration and other skills.

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JDS tournaments are held in towns across the region, with Ingham hosting an event during the year and three clubs in Townsville also running tournaments throughout the year. Players can choose whether or not to enter tournaments, giving them plenty of flexibility in how they play and enjoy the game.

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For the juniors, tennis is proving to be a great sport to enjoy as other sports begin to wrap up, giving them a chance to stay active, socialise and keep developing their game.

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Photos sourced and used with permission from the Cardwell and Palm Creek Parkrun’s Facebook pages

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Palm Creek parkrun #141 – 28 participants
Fastest time: Julian Lee (23:42)
Final finisher: Janna Hyrapietian (1:20:43)
PBs: 2 | First timers: 4
Volunteers: Bridgette Duffy, V Velton, Simon Niam, Amanda Towner, Maria Bertocchi, Janna Hyrapietian

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Cardwell parkrun #402 – 23 participants
Fastest time: Jake Ball (19:26)
Final finisher: Michael Salu (54:49)
PBs: 5 | First timers: 2
Volunteers: Kellie Ball, Jake Ball, Jan Ferguson, Terry Curtin, Michael Salu, Dave Ball, Marcus Ritchie, Kerry

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By Victoria Velton

It was a big weekend for the Ingham Cutters, with local players featuring across several strong performances in the Townsville and District Rugby Union finals.

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The Cutters Reserve Grade men fought hard in their grand final against Brothers in Townsville, eventually going down 43-26 after trailing 36-12 at half-time.

Despite the result, the team can look back on a solid and rewarding season, with the players showing plenty of fight to battle their way back into the contest after a difficult opening half.

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There was plenty to celebrate elsewhere, with five young Hinchinbrook women helping the Combined Cutters-Western Suburbs Dragons U17 girls claim the Townsville and District U17 title.

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Megan Buckley, Trinity Cotter, Olivia Bishop, Georgia Minato and Ciannah Shannon were part of the Dragons side that defeated North Ward 31-21 to secure the championship.

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The result is a significant achievement for the young players, who have represented both their local clubs and the wider Hinchinbrook region on the Townsville rugby stage.

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The Cutters also had another standout performance in the U15 competition, with Riley Stokes named man of the match following the Dragons’ comprehensive victory over the Sandcrabs.

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For the Cutters, the weekend provided a mixture of disappointment and celebration, but plenty of reasons to be proud of the players representing the club.

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While the Reserve Grade side’s season ended one game short of the ultimate prize, the U17 girls brought home a championship and several young players continued to make their mark. The club definitely deserved their celebration on 'Silly Sunday'

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ISHS OPENS TEAM 2026 with their jerseys Photos supplied: Ingham State High School

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Contributed with thanks by Ingham State High School

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Ingham State High School recently celebrated a memorable season for its Open Rugby League team with a Presentation Dinner attended by players, coaches, staff, sponsors and parents and caregivers.

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The evening recognised the team’s commitment and achievements throughout the season, including their inaugural participation in the QLD State Schools Cup, a statewide rugby league tournament for Queensland state high school students.

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The school extended its sincere appreciation to Wilmar Sugar and Renewables, TDH Plumbing Solutions, SpinFX Electrical, Timrith Transport, Marb Constructions, Hinchinbrook Real Estate, Guido’s Panel and Paint, MENZ and the Rotary Club of Hinchinbrook for their generous support. Their contributions helped provide travel uniforms, playing kits, team bags, transport to and from Rockhampton, accommodation, meals and player awards during the competition.

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Coach Mark Cockburn acknowledged the invaluable support of parents and caregivers and spoke proudly of the players’ growth in confidence, pride, teamwork and school spirit throughout the season.

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Individual player achievements were also recognised, with awards presented to:

Coaches’ Player: Noah Jones

Team Spirit: Ashton Cottell-Handley

Overall Players’ Player: Jack Symonds

Players’ Player Match Awards: Carter Bates, Noah Jones, Jack Symonds and Nicholas Stokes

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Special thanks were also extended to the coaching and support team — Mark Cockburn (Coach), Jason Brown (Trainer/Manager) and Hunter Winkel (League Safe Trainer) — for their dedication and guidance throughout the season.

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The Open Rugby League team can be proud of the way they represented Ingham State High School both on and off the field. Their commitment, resilience and team spirit made it a season to remember.

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Congratulations to all players, coaches and supporters on a fantastic season.

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Firstly, it was great to see our new members out on the green and enjoying themselves. There is certainly some talent among them, so us seasoned players had better keep up our practice!

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Club Triples saw B. Eddleston, D. Tomba, G. Wright and J. Craven narrowly defeate J. Johnson, A. Foti, T. Rhodes and S. Ryan, 19–18.

Social Play saw M. Clancy, L. DiBella and J. Casanovas defeate D. Bull, M. Spano and J. Fenoglio, 21–8.

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Also in social play R. Horton, N. Mammerella and M. Moore defeated M. Grimmond, I. Byrns and E. Piotto, 24–12.

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Contributed with thanks by Sandy Ryan, Ingham Bowls Club

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Matai Talui has enjoyed an impressive year in sport, earning representative honours in both rugby league and touch football. Photo supplied by Marie Tauli

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By Chelsea Ravizza

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At just 12 years old, Cassowary Coast’s Matai Talui has already racked up a list of sporting achievements, earning him both local and statewide recognition.

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Over the past couple of years, Matai has secured positions on several representative rugby league and touch football teams, representing both the Cassowary Coast and Queensland on multiple occasions.  

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Just recently, Matai returned home from representing Queensland in the Under 12 rugby league team at the National School Sport Championships in Ballina and has once again been selected for the Queensland Under 12 touch football team, which will compete at the National School Sport Championships in Newcastle in October 2026.

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After previously competing with the Under 12 Queensland team at the national championships in Ballarat, the latest selection marks Matai’s second time representing Queensland in touch football; an achievement he is extremely proud of.

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“It makes me proud to know that I work hard for opportunities like this, and I am proud to represent my state,” Matai said.

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“Making Queensland the first time made me want to keep playing at that high level. It motivates me to keep improving my skills and working hard.

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“From my experience, everyone at that high level is fitter, faster and stronger, and they are the best in their position in the state, which allows me to focus on my position,” he said.

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“Playing against some of the best in the country makes me realise that I have to put in the work to keep competing at that high level.”

With one Queensland touch football campaign already under his belt, Matai said he will head into this year’s championships with greater confidence and hopes to take on more of a leadership role within the team.

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“When I made Queensland touch football last year I was excited, proud and nervous; this year I am still very excited and proud, but not as nervous,” he said.

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“I would like to show more leadership this year to all the new Queensland touch football players.”

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Matai’s latest Queensland selection caps off an impressive year across both codes, with the Year 7 student earning representative honours at school, district, regional and state level throughout 2026.

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“In my sporting future, I would like to keep making high-level teams for as long as I can.”

Champion Team of the Year Synergy Photos supplied: Sara Barbagallo, Herbert River Netball Association

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Contributed with thanks by the Herbert River Netball Association

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Herbert River Netball Association has wrapped up another successful season, with plenty of achievements to celebrate both on and off the court.

Synergy took out the B Division premiership, with Swifts finishing runners-up after a strong season. Synergy was also named Champion Team of the Year, with Madison Giorcelli awarded Player of the Final for her outstanding performance.

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Individual achievements were also recognised at the end-of-season awards, with Vanessa Wilson named Junior MVP of the Year, Emerson Hague Rep Player of the Year, and Annalise Downing receiving the Rep Encouragement Award.

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Jenna Guidicatti was presented with the Umpires Encouragement Award, while Aimee Seri was named Club Person of the Year in recognition of her valuable contribution to the association.

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HRNA's Junior and Senior representative teams also enjoyed a successful year, competing against some of the region's strongest associations. Both teams travelled to Mackay for the Country Carnival in May, gaining valuable experience and testing themselves against quality opposition. The Junior representative team then went on to compete at the Junior State Age Carnival on the Gold Coast in July, providing players with the opportunity to experience a high level of competition and further develop their skills.

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The association also continued its focus on player development through the annual River Cup in Tully in August, taking teams to compete, develop their skills and gain valuable game experience.

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The development of HRNA's umpires was another major highlight of 2026. At the Country Carnival in May, Lisa Giorcelli successfully achieved her C Badge after working towards the goal for several years. At the Junior State Age Carnival on the Gold Coast, Aimee Seri and Sarah Castles also earned their C Badges, with Sarah receiving the carnival's Umpiring Encouragement Award.

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In July, Sara Barbagallo successfully attained her C Badge at the McDonald's Junior Carnival in Townsville.

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Junior umpires Madison Giorcelli and Chloe Kopeshke also received valuable coaching and feedback at the carnival and are now closer to achieving their own C Badges.

HRNA now has five current C Badged umpires, the most the association has had in recent years, which is a fantastic achievement for a small regional association and a reflection of the commitment to developing umpires at all levels.

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The future of Herbert River netball is also looking bright, with a thriving NetSetGO and C Division programs introducing a new generation of young players to the sport. For many of HRNA's youngest members, NetSetGO provides their first taste of netball, helping them develop fundamental skills, build confidence and friendships, and discover a love of the game.

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As the 2026 season draws to a close, HRNA extends a huge thank you to all players, families, coaches, umpires and volunteers who have contributed to another wonderful year.

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With new facilities and an improved format of play coming in 2027, the association is looking forward to an exciting new chapter.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 award winners and to everyone who made the season such a success.

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It was a brilliant afternoon for playing bowls with summer just around the corner, we all enjoyed our afternoon out.

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Three rounds of consistency were played, and I was lucky enough to be marking a game between two champions. It was very close throughout, with M. Owen defeating E. Piotto 150-129.

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N. Mammerella def. G. Wright 154-116, and J. Casanovas def. D. Tomba 152-128.

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Social play saw R. Horton, M. Spano, M. Moore and J. Craven def. I. Byrns, A. Foti, K. Rotondo and L. DiBella at 29-11.

Contributed with thanks by Sandy Ryan

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Jenny Smith with a Red Emperor fish. Photo supplied: Jenny Smith

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Wow Jenny, that’s one big fish! This red emperor was caught at Lucinda and measured at 74cm. Now that’s some good eatin’.

Do you want to flex your fishing skills in the newspaper? Send your fishing photo along with your name and what you caught to victoria@lifepublishinggroup.com to be featured in Catch of The Week!

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Photos sourced with permission from Cardwell & Palm Creek Facebook pages

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Palm Creek parkrun #140 – 24 participants

Fastest time: Julian Lee (24:21)

Final finisher: Kira Turner (58:22)

PBs: 1 | First timers: 3

Volunteers: Sandra Coco, Donna Panzenbock, Bridgette Duffy, Maria Bertocchi, Kira Turner

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Cardwell parkrun #401 – 34 participants

Fastest time: John Gillett (19:52)

Final finisher: Judith Clarke (56:41)

PBs: 2 | First timers: 10

Volunteers: Kerry Snell, Ashlee Fitzgerald, John Gillett, Jan Ferguson, Terry Curtin, Judith Clarke, Jake Ball

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By Victoria Velton

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At just 14 years old, Cardwell runner Jake Ball has already added his name to the perpetual trophy at one of the region’s challenging running events.

Jake recently took out the Copperlode Cup, finishing first overall at the top of the 14-kilometre course from the first gate on Lake Morris Road to Copperlode Dam in Cairns.

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The course is predominantly uphill, with 40 participants registered for this year’s event, including just three juniors. Results are not separated by age, making Jake’s achievement even more impressive.

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Jake’s mum, Kellie, said the family first discovered running through Cardwell parkrun, after Jake’s dad, Dave, was looking for an activity the family could enjoy together.

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“Jake’s dad Dave was looking for an activity he could do with the kids. We saw some Facebook posts about Cardwell parkrun and thought we would check it out,” Kellie said.

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Eight years later, parkrun has become an integral part of the family’s week, with the family attending whether running or volunteering, usually for at least 45 weeks of the year.

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“The friendships made through parkrun and the community of parkrun are what keep us returning each week,” Kellie said.

For Jake, the weekly parkrun became and opportunity for him beyond running. Meeting people of different ages and backgrounds, while also providing role models who have encouraged him to push himself.

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“Jake has learnt to interact with people of all ages and different backgrounds through parkrun. He has found role models and now pushes himself to try and run as well as some of those role models,” Kellie said.

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Those connections have also introduced Jake to longer-distance running events, including the Townsville Running Festival, Cairns Marathon Festival and events run by Outer Limits and Adventure Sport NQ.

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Running now forms a significant part of Jake’s week. He averages four runs, including two sessions with running coach Joshua Chugg, Saturday parkrun and a long run on Sunday morning. He also attends the gym once or twice a week and incorporates swimming and athletics into his routine.

For now, running remains a hobby, although Jake already has his sights set further down the track, with an interest in taking on ultramarathons when he is older.

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The Copperlode Cup came about after the family heard about the event through another running family Jake also swims with. With a goal of beating a friend’s previous time, Jake instead went on to claim the fastest finish.

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He reached the top first, with the first female finisher just eight seconds behind him and the second-place male three minutes further back.

Jake’s name will now sit alongside previous male winners on the perpetual trophy, with the young runner also receiving a $50 gift card to The Good Run in Cairns.

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From a family activity discovered on Facebook to standing at the top of a 14-kilometre climb, Jake’s journey shows how a simple weekly run can grow into something much bigger and there may be plenty more peaks ahead for this young Cardwell runner.

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Ingham Lions Club at the Herbert River RSL for the awards. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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The breadth of sporting talent across the Hinchinbrook community was celebrated last week as the Ingham Lions Club hosted its 2026 Sports Star of the Year Awards.

From young athletes beginning their sporting journeys to experienced competitors and dedicated volunteers, the evening recognised the achievements of individuals and teams across a diverse range of sports.

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Community, Cultural and Sports Councillor Donna Marbelli, who joined Australian sprinter Jake Doran and Dean Payne on the judging panel, said the standard of nominations made the task particularly difficult.

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“We have an incredible amount of talent across our district, and from our juniors to the seniors, through our masters in teams,” Cr Marbelli said.

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Guest speaker Jake Doran, an Australian athletics sprinter, said the awards provided an important opportunity for regional athletes to receive recognition while showing that success in sport does not necessarily mean leaving home.

“How awesome is it to have organisations like the Lions Club to celebrate awesome athletes in our regional communities?” Doran said.

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“I think it’s an amazing opportunity to give them the recognition they deserve, but also show them that they can stay local to Ingham and do everything they want to do in their sport at the same time.”

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Doran said he was particularly impressed by the young athletes receiving encouragement awards, noting some were already showing remarkable potential.

“I expect to see some professional athletes out of this crop in the future,” he said.

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With Brisbane 2032 on the horizon, Doran also highlighted the variety of sports represented throughout the evening, including squash, bowls, gymnastics and equestrian events.

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“It’s so awesome to see such a broad spectrum of sports done at such a high level in a community like Hinchinbrook,” he said.

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Among the evening’s major awards, the Northern Regions Open Boys Squash Team was named Team of the Year. Joshua Gurnick-Stagnitta was named Junior Sportstar of the Year, Lucas Masters took out Senior Sportstar of the Year and Filipe Tabu was named Masters Sportstar of the Year. The Ingham Bowls Club Dunn Cup 4’s Team won Masters Team of the Year.

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The awards also acknowledged the volunteers who help keep local sport moving, with Joseph Panizzi receiving the Des Rooker Memorial Recognition for Service Award.

For Lions member Sharon Fighera, who helped organise the evening, the event was only possible because of the contribution of the wider community.

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“Without the volunteers like yourselves, our sporting clubs would not exist,” she said.

Fighera also thanked the event’s sponsors and volunteers, as well as the Lions Club committee, for helping bring the celebration together.

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The evening served as a reminder that sporting success in Hinchinbrook extends well beyond trophies and results. It is built through athletes, families, coaches, volunteers, clubs and supporters who continue to give their time and encouragement.

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As Cr Marbelli said, the district can be “incredibly proud of our local sporting community and the way our athletes represent the Hinchinbrook District."

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See more photos here: www.hinchinbrooklife.com/social-pics/ingham-lions-club-sportstar-of-the-year-awards-2026

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Award Recipients

Recognition of Service Award:

Winner: Joseph Pennisi

Runner Up: Kim Di Bella

Encouragement: Sarah Castles

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Team of the Year:

Winner: Northern Regions Open Boys Squash Team

2nd: GSMC QISSN Netball Team

Encouragement: Hitch N Ride Horse Sports

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Junior Sportstar of the Year

Winner: Joshua Gurnick-Stagnitta

Runner Up: Sienna Lyons

Encouragement Award: Emerson Hague, Riley Stokes

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Senior Sportstar of the Year

Winner: Lucas Masters

Runner Up: Molly-Rose Gaggiano

Encouragement Award: Summer Christopher, Carter Hague

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Masters Sportstar of the Year

Winner: Filipe Tabu

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Masters Team of the Year:

Winner: Ingham Bowls Club Dunn Cup 4’s Team

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