Having just ticked over the halfway mark in the calendar, it's time to reflect on some of the emerging junior talent in our ranks.
While we rightly laud the efforts of our youngsters in NSW and Australian junior squads, nothing ensures continued success like depth. Pressure on encumbents from rising talent will produce better and better results. And so it is with great delight that we can report some impressive performances of late.
Big Foot 11-year-old Ewan Shingler has eaten up very easy and easy courses - along with Space Racing - for several years now (he won M10A at Easter 2012) and it is terrific to see him having a crack at moderate courses in MetrO League division 4, where he has scored 15 points from three runs. At Lapstone, Tom Kennedy (GO, 12) and Sophie Jones (UR, 10) made their ML debuts and completed their courses. High five !
Speaking of MetrO League, six members of Garingal's Divison 5 "Legless" outfit are 15 or younger and the team is into the final in their first year on moderate courses.
Nick Wyche is equal first in the Division 5 individual points competition with 28 points from 3 runs. Jonathan Koruga, Terence Chiang, Kaj Bollerup, Lewis Redner (all from North Sydney Boys HS) have coped brilliantly in the transition to a bush environment, as has team-mate Joanna Hill, who is still in primary school.
Likewise Duncan Currie, 13, has stepped up to moderate courses this year and along with Hugh Gingell was this month named to make his debut in the NSW junior squad to compete at the national schools champs in October in the ACT.
At Sydney Junior League level it has been encouraging to see new junior faces. Another Jones family has entered the Uringa ranks at Gladesville, while we also welcomed the Brown family. (Don't forget that at Junior League events younger children and rookies can be shadowed around the course and still score points.)
And we must also mention the behind-the-scenes efforts that juniors are putting in. Duncan has set Sydney Summer Series courses, Toby Wilson set courses for a Garingal club event and recently was fastest finisher in ML division 1, and Lawrence Jones has just completed his first map at Maroubra.
All of the NSW junior squad help in the food tent at State League events and bring in controls. Aidan Dawson from GO selflessly abandoned his run at Macquarie Uni to go to the aid of Jim Merchant who slipped and cut his head on a pylon, requiring seven stitches.
In the Sydney Junior League this year we have had more than 90 children participate, which is very encouraging. We've even had someone from Newcastle come down for the day. Beginners may be shadowed by their parents and still earn points, so it's great way to learn the basics of our sport in a safe environment.
Don't forget that for our JL finale on Sep 15, all participants will get a free entry to Willoughby Leisure Centre.
Elsewhere, Space Racing is taking off in Dubbo and Orange; and our list of schools championships or gala days now covers eight of the 10 regions in NSW.
Speaking of schools champs, all children are invited to the NSW titles at Mittagong on August 25. There are A and B classes in each age group, so newcomers can choose a B course that suits their current level of competency. Experienced juniors are encouraged to try an A course which requires compass skills. For $40, you can book a return ticket on a bus ONSW has hired for the day. It will picvk up and drop off at Turramurra and Strathfield stations.
