scorpions news

Scorpions AGM 22/05/10 Please be advised the Sydney Scorpions Annual General Meeting will take place on 24 June 2010 6.30pm, at Hawks on Second Avenue, Eastwood.  The order of business is attached.  All Directors are reminded their Annual Reports are due prior.

Scorpions Girls 18's Trials 16/06/10 To compete at the upcoming National Youth Titles at Caloundra, Queensland 15th-19th September 2010, the following players below are invited to trial for final selection.

Friday 18th June 6:30pm. Doyle Ground, Parramatta

Further information contacts below:
Rod Hetherington Coach 0402 268 375
Neal Ryanhart Assistant Coach 0403 160 092
Pam Hetherington Manager 0402 140 357

Jordan Clay           Manly Katie Harrison          Norths Kiera Baptiste          Parramatta Kim Kennedy             Parramatta Laura Peattie           Manly Lizzie Baxter           Manly Madeline Premble        Parramatta Melissa Peters          Parramatta Monique McHugh    Parramatta Morgan Randall      Manly Natalie Hummelsted      Parramatta Rebecca Cachia      Parramatta Sam Rogers              Manly Sara Jane Eltakchi      Parramatta Sarah Peattie           Manly Simone Pappas           Parramatta Tamara Cochrane         Manly Victoria Parker         Norths

Alana Lamerton   Parramatta Alana McCaffery  Parramatta Alex Jones            Norths Brittany Skewes   Manly Carla Webhe         Parramatta Charmayne Nathan        Manly Chloe Webhe         Parramatta Courtney Duigiod  Parramatta Dani Davis             Manly Eleanor Raper       Norths Emily Goodsir         Parramatta Emma Crerar         Manly Grace Ryanhart    Parramatta Jacquie Pashley    Manly Jenna Hitch           Manly Jess Shannahan    Manly Jillian Hunter          Norths

Scorpions 18’s Boys 2^nd & Final Trial 17/06/10  Players are invited to attend the Final trial for the 18’s Boys Scorpions team this coming Sunday 20th June @ 2:00 p.m at Nolans Reserve (Field 1), North Manly (just off Kentwell Road, North Manly).  Please meet in front of the Christian Bros. Rugby League Club House.  The selected team will compete at the upcoming National Youth Titles at Caloundra, Queensland 15th-19th September 2010.  If you have any questions, please contact Coach Mick Daley on 0421 654 440.  Any player who is unable to attend the trial is also asked to contact Mick Daley before Sunday.  In case of inclement weather and you are unsure whether trial is proceeding, please kindly contact Coach Mick Daley.

Sydney Scorpions NTL 2010 Champion Permit 21/03/10 The Sydney Scorpions have won their first Men’s Open title since 2000, beating the South Queensland Sharks by four touchdowns in the final of the 2010 X-Blades National Touch League. The Scorpions won the match 7-3, preventing the Sharks from winning their fifth title in six years. Congratulations to Coach Terry Cooper, Captain Jamie Stowe and all the team. Scorpions John Kennedy was awarded Player of the Final. A full match report can be found here. 

The Scorpions night continued to get better, being named the Champion Permit for the 2010 NTL.  A huge congratulations must go to both Brett Gillard (Sydney Scorpions Regional Director) & Tim Kitchingham  (Sydney Scorpions Assistant Regional Director) for their tireless work for the Sydney Scorpions permit.  This has no doubt assisted greatly in the Scorpions Permit taking out the coveted X-Blades Golden Boot Trophy.

NSWTA Regional Champs 14/16's - Sydney Scorpions Champion Permit 25/04/10  Fresh on the back of their recent NTL Opens & Senior Champion Permit win, the young Sydney Scorpions Boys & Girls 14's/16's did the permit proud with all four teams appearing in their respective Finals helping the Scorps take out the NSWTA 14/16's Regional Champion Permit. 



Excellent weather conditions at Orange allowed for superb touch to be played with the Boys & Girls 14's both narrowly losing their Finals in drops-offs.  The Boys 16's, under the guidance of Coach David Nolan took out the title 4-3 beating Northern Eagles.  Last but not least the Scorps Girls 16's won all of their 7 games over the weekend to completely dominate the division.  An impressive 6-1 semi final win over Rebels was followed up by another fantastic win in the game that mattered 5-1 over Hornets.  More reports later in the week including all the Scorpions Medal Best & Fairest Winners and NSWTA Merit Teams.  Further info can be found via the NSWTA website.  All the scores from the weekend can be found here.

You can read the Girls 16's weekend report on their webpage here now.



Sydney Scorpions Winners Girls 16's (click to enlarge)



Sydney Scorpions Winners Boys 16's (click to enlarge)

Trans Tasman Referees 25/04/10  Congratulations to the following Scorpions referees who have been selected to referee in the Masters Trans Tasman Series: Bernie O'Donohue, Bill Slade and Anthony Smith.

NSWTA Regional Champs 14/16's - Scorpions Team Awards 02/05/10 Congratulations to the following players for their individual awards.

Girls 14's - Runners up
Scorpions Medal - Courtney Milone
Game Ball - Stephanie Miaolo
Coaches Awards - Shelly Davis & Georgia Toovey
Boys 14's - Runners up
Scorpions Medal - Shane Wong
Coaches Awards - Matt Wilson & Jacob McLean
Girls 16's - Winners
Scorpions Medal - Charmayne Nathan
Coaches Awards - Alana Lamerton & Sam Rodgers
Boys 16's - Winners
Scorpions Medal - Lalakai Foketi
Game Ball - Jack Nicholls  

Masters Trans Tasman 12/02/10  Touch Football Australia (TFA) and Touch New Zealand (TNZ) are pleased to announce that the 2010 Masters Trans Tasman Test Series (MTTTS) will be in Townsville, Queensland. The series will be held in conjunction with the North Queensland Senior Championships at Queens Park, which will be held on Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 June 2010. The MTTTS will take place approximately 12 months out from the 2011 World Cup and both nations will use the tournament to kick off their respective campaigns. 

Scorpions Referee Upgrades 28/03/10 

There have been a number of Referee upgrades in recent months at the affiliate and state level, these are highlighted below:

Level 4 (which is State Referee level):
Steve Bell - Hornsby
Luke Heckendorf - Hornsby
Mark Montgomery - Hornsby
Nathan Smith - Hornsby
Paul Tesoriero - North's

Level 3
Malcolm Ward - North's

Level 2
Don Adams - Westmead
Marielle Biancardi - North's
Rachel Choi - North's
Caren Friend - Manly
Peter Lloyd - Hornsby
David Dal Santo - North's
Jessica George - Parramatta
Elle Griffin - Manly
Stephen Jack - North's
Maggie Laing - North's
Andre Mercer - Manly
James Murphy - Parramatta
Edith Nathan - Manly
Tony Nathan - Manly
Tom Neilson - North's
Dion Ryff - Hornsby
Luke Saldern - Manly
Martin Yeo - North's

Bill Slade - Scorpions Referees Director

Scorpions NTL 2010 Referees 20/03/10  A message of thanks and congratulations to the 10 Sydney Scorpions Referees who attended the recent 2010 NTL: Luke Heckendorf, Craig Hughes, Peter Jones, Steve Laing, Phil Lowe, Bernie O'Donohue, Matt Seldon, Bill Slade, Anthony Smith and Nathan Smith.

All referees performed extremely well and 4 referees were selected to officiate in Grand Finals which is an outstanding achievement.

Anthony Smith - Men's 30's Grand Final
Bernie O'Dononue - Mixed Open Grand Final
Bill Slade - Men's 40's Grand Final
Matt Seldon - Men's 50's Grand Final

Not to be outdone by their fellow referees, Phil Lowe, Peter Jones and Craig Hughes achieved upgrades to Level 5. Congratulations to all the referees and keep up the great work.

Sydney

The Sydney Scorpions have won their first Men’s Open title since 2000, beating the South Queensland Sharks by four touchdowns in the final of the 2010 X-Blades National Touch League. The Scorpions won the match 7-3, preventing the Sharks from winning their fifth title in six years. Congratulations to Coach Terry Cooper, Captain Jamie Stowe and all the team.  The Scorpions night continued to get better, being named the Champion Permit for the 2010 NTL.  Scorpions John Kennedy was awarded Player of the Final. A full match report can be found here. 

Other Sydney Scorpions Grand Final appearances included the Men's 30's. Runners up for nearly the past eight years, Ron Larcombe's team scored early in the match from a well executed decoy play that had the Scorpions running easily to the line. The Mets returned for a touchdown of their own a few minutes later with a long ball to winger Zane Burnard. The score didn’t stay 1-all for long with the Scorpions crossing on the wing after the ball was deemed to be thrown backwards out of the hands and floated forward to winger Paul MacPherson, putting the Scorpions back in front. Scorpions then extended their lead with a long ball plucked out of the air by link Joe Biskup hitting a great hole. Late in the first half saw the game get physical and as both teams wanted to be in control by half time. This saw both teams trade touchdowns before the half time siren. Scorpions scored through Jason Scharenquivel who caught a bullet from Shane Fredrickson and Lenny Ryan, scoring the last touchdown for the half on the wing. The Scorpions went to the half time break leading 5-3. The second half started out much like the first with the Scorpions scoring the first touchdown of the half, through David Roberts, to take the lead out to three touchdowns. The Scorpions continued their dominance from the first half running in the second, to Joe Biskup, and fourth (last) - to Adam Fahim - touchdowns of the half to secure the game with at least five minutes remaining on the clock. Biskup’s second for the match came after the Scorpions link stepped a fast shooting Mets winger, and finished off with a nice pass to Biskup. The Scorpions third for the half came from Fahim beating his link defender for speed. The Mets didn’t give up scoring one touchdown in the second half through Anthony Ziade who hit the link hole off a half runner. Congratulations to Sydney Scorpions who defeated the Sydney Mets 8-4.

In the Women’s 40’s Final it was a tightly contested first and second half with only three touchdowns scored in the whole match. Sydney Scorpions took the won the first half scoring the only touchdown, but North Queensland Cyclones didn’t want to disappoint their fans huddled under the administration building and leveled the game at 1-all in the second half. Scorpions then finished the game off with a dive over touchdown to win the match 2-1.

In the Senior Mixed division the South West Queensland Swans defeated the Sydney Scorpions with the score line of 5-4. Both teams were locked at two-a-piece at half time and in the second half it proved to be a very close matchup.  The condition of the mud-soaked field made both attacking and defending very difficult for both teams.  When the teams met on a dry Day 1 field the score was once again tight with a 7-7 draw.  Female Player of the Final was Scorpions Karina Haddin.  The Scorps got to the Final after a tense 3-on-3 Semi Final drop-off against the Brisbane City Cobra's with Scorpions speedster Craig Beacroft scoring the winner.

  Sydney Scorpions final Scorpion Day will take place at TG Millner from 9:00am on Sunday 7th March 2010.  Trial games will take place as a lead-up to the NTL.  There will be a compulsory Managers Meetings at 11am sharp near the entrance to the club. At this time all uniforms/gear will be distributed to all financial teams.  All Managers should confirm via email that their teams will compete on these dates. The draft draw structure and format for the 2010 X-Blades National Touch League can be found here now. 

NTL 2010 Player & Management Info

All info for the Scorps Senior Mixed NTL 2010 campaign can be found here.

NSWTA Junior State Cup Club Champions

Coaching Accreditation - Levels of Progression 28/12/09 In August 2009 the NSWTA reviewed its current policy on representative coaches and the minimum standard required at state events.  To improve the standard of coaching in the state, NSWTA has determined that the minimum coaching standard required at state events needs to once again be increased.  Open this document for the full details.

2010 National Youth Championships 18's - Coaching Applications 22/01/10 Touch Football Australia (TFA) is pleased to announce the dates for the 2010 National Youth Championships (NYC 18's) are Wednesday 15 until Saturday 18 September 2010 inclusive.  The event is to be held at Stockland Park, Kawana, near Caloundra. Further details are available in the attachment.  Appointments for the Sydney Scorpions Girls 18's & Boys 18's teams can be found below.  Coaches are expected to participate in TID at the upcoming NSWTA Junior State Cup.

Boys 18’s
Coach: Michael Daley
Assistant Coach: Dave Nolan

Girls 18’s
Coach: Roderick Hetherington
Assistant Coach: Neal Ryanhart
Manager: Pam Hetherington

Parramatta Touch Junior Gala Night 28/12/09  Parramatta Touch are having a Junior Gala Night of touch on Friday 5th February 2010. Please fill in the nomination form and email back to Monique by Friday 22nd January 2010, so the draw can be finalised and details made available.

NTL 2010 Ladies 40's 28/12/09  Scorpions Ladies 40 will train Sunday 3rd January 2010, 9.00am at Nolans Reserve, North Manly.  New players from all Scorpions affiliates are more than welcome to trial or express interest via email.

NTL 2010 Senior Mixed 29/10/09 Players interested in representing the Sydney Scorpions Senior Mixed (over 30's) at the upcoming NTL should email with their expression of interest.  An updated squad and further information will be published in the coming weeks.

NSWTA 2010 Regional Champs 19/10/09  The NSWTA Regional Championships will take place in April 2010 at Orange NSW. Coaching positions for the 14's/16's  teams are announced below.  Many thanks for all applications received.

Scorpions 14 Girls
Coach: Jamie Clifford (Ryde Eastwood)
Assistant Coach: David Duguide (Parramatta)
Scorpions 16 Girls
Coach: Kelvin Farrington (Manly)
Assistant Coach: Craig Beacroft (Scorpions)
Scorpions 14 Boys
Coach: Barry Gibson (Manly)
Scorpions 16 Boys:
Coach: Dave Nolan (Parramatta)

NTL Coaching Appointments 01/10/09  Scorpions would like to announce the following coaches that have been appointed for the upcoming 2010 NTL. 

Men's 20's: Dave Nolan
Men's Opens: Terry Cooper
Ladies Opens: Barry Gibson / Gary Croft
Mixed Opens: Graham Fleming
Men's 30's: Ron Larcombe
Ladies 40's: Graham Pickering
Men's 40's: Brett Gillard
Men's 45's: Cliff Lyons
Men's 50's: Les Saggus/ Phil Young

All Scorpions coaching positions can be found here.  Applications are being taken for the vacant positions of Ladies 27's, Ladies 35's and Senior Mixed.  Applicants for these vacant positions should be familiar with the positional requirements before submitting an application. 

09/10/09  National Touch League Under 18s:  Congratulations to the following players for being named as their teams Best & Fairest Scorpions Croft Medal winners from the recent National 18's Championships:

Boys 18's - Mark Roberts
Girls 18's - Laura Peattie
Girls 18's - Game Ball Winner Most Improved - Jill Van Leeuwan

Many thanks to Mark Mahoney & IMS Group who donated the 18's trophies.

07/09/09  Manly Warringah Touch Update: Please find the latest September newsletter from MWTAI.  Congratulations goes out to Manly and Scorpions Sam Brisby.  Celebrating his 17th Birthday on Wednesday 26th August, little did Sam Brisby know that he was going to receive an important phone call from Australian Open Men’s Coach Tony Trad. Sam received the phone call as he was about to start his Year 11 classes for the day at St. Augustine’s College, Brookvale. It was Tony Trad on the line who opened the conversation by wishing Sam a happy 17th Birthday. Surprised, Sam thanked Tony Trad for his wishes.

The conversation then went onto reveal that a position had opened up in the Australian Men’s Open Squad and Tony Trad wanted to offer Sam the position. Sam gratefully accepted. Sam is not new to wearing the “green and gold” Australian Representative colours. He represented Australia at the Youth Trans Tasman Series in New Zealand in January of this year playing in the Australian 18’s Mixed Team who won the Tournament. Sam received the award for “Player of the Final”. The MWTA Executive & Management Committee would like to congratulate Sam on his selection into the Australian Men’s Open Squad. We wish him all the best for team selection.

21/07/09  Sydney Scorpions Shine at NSWTA Blues Awards Night:

01/06/09  NTL 2010 Coaching Positions:

6/05/09  Referee Awards & Congratulations: The NSWTA held the 30th Anniversary Graded referees dinner which was held on Saturday 2 May 2009 at Bankstown Sports club and the following Scorpions referees received awards:

Phil Lowe - 5 years service award
Matt Seldon - 5 years service award
Kim Perry -10 years service award and
Kim Perry - Referee of the tournament at Vawdon Cup.

Congratulations to all the referees who received awards.

Bill Slade
Scorpions
Director of Referees

15/03/09 NTL09 Scorpions Wrap-up: The Sharks have defeated the Scorps in the Men's Opens grand final 10-8 at the 2009 X-Blades National Touch League in Port Macquarie. The Sharks were on the scoreboard after just 3 minutes, through Damian Moar, after the Scorpions dropped the ball 5 metres out from the Sharks line. Jonothan Palau leveled the score for the Scorpions in the fifth minute and an Adam Fahim touchdown, off a great Troy Malcolm long ball, giving them the lead for the first time in the game. Aaron Swan hit back for the Sharks, from another Dayberg-Muir pass, to level the score. Two more quick tries to the Sharks at the midway mark of the first half, to Kristopher McMurdy and Troy Skinner, gave the Sharks a 4-2 lead. In the 12th minute, Palau scored his second try for the Scorpions, which included some great acrobatics in the touchdown scoring process, to bring the Scorpions to within one touchdown of the Sharks. In the 13th minute, James Harrington scored next for the Sharks out on the wing, and Ryan Pollock crossed soon after, after another great pass from Dayberg-Muir.

The Scorpions had two disallowed tries in the last five minutes of the first half, which cost them dearly. Ryan Shibashaki scored, through some great team work, to take the lead out four touchdowns. Nathan Wong and Troy Malcolm both scored for the Scorpions in the last three minutes of the first half, to bring the score to 7-5 at half time. The Sharks started the second half of the match with some good defence, and they soon turned this hard work in points, with McMurdy scoring his second touchdown off a scoot from dummy half from Dayberg-Muir. Scorpions’ Drew Davies got sent to the sin bin in the 6th minute, and Leon Skinner from the Sharks capitalised on this, scoring in the next set of six. Scorpions then scored three consecutive tries, to Sam Brisby, Harry Berryman and Davies, to get within one touchdown of the Sharks. Pollock made sure that the Sharks would take out the title with his second touchdown in the 17th minute, set up yet again by Dayberg-Muir, to take the final 10-8.

What a fantastic achievement by Terry Cooper's young Scorpions who have done our permit proud in making the premier final of the tournament. Congratulations to Captain Jamie Stowie and all the players and management.
15/03/09 Scorpions Honors: Congratulations to the players of the finals and players of the series for the Seniors division at the 2009 X-Blades National Touch League.
Mixed Seniors: Players of the final: Amy Mitchell (Scorpions)
Men’s 40’s: Player of the final: Mark Leonard (Scorpions)
Men’s 40’s: Player of the series: Dave Cheung (Scorpions)

The Scorps Men's 40's, with undoubtedly the most star-studded NTL line-up, once again took the division that they have made their own with a comfortable 12-5 win over the NZ Sharks. Manly's Mark "Spud" Leonard was Player of the Final with the evergreen Dave Cheung Player of the Series.

Cliff Lyon's Men's 45's went down 6-5 in the final against the Sunshine Coast whilst the Senior Mixed had a great tournament only to go down to a youthful NZ Wellington side 12-8.

The perennial bridesmaids, the Men's 30's, once again went through the tournament undefeated only to fall at the last hurdle once again. In a classic come from behind performance in their semi final against their arch rivals Mets, down 5-2 they scored the next seven touchdowns to win 9-6. After beating NZ Canterbury in their first round game (11-8), a similar result was expected in the final, however they went down 8-7. Darren Swain and Phil Jarrett had stand-out performances in the final.