HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT IND 189 February 2026 | Page 29

Hawkesbury PCYC is fun for everyone

with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
Hawkesbury PCYC has become a valued hub for sport, fitness and community activity since opening on 20 July 2020 at the Hawkesbury Indoor Sports Stadium, formerly operated by Hawkesbury Sports Council.
The stadium itself first opened in the early 2000s to meet growing demand for indoor sports such as basketball, volleyball, futsal( indoor soccer) and indoor netball. When PCYC NSW took over the facility in 2020, significant investment followed, transforming the venue into a modern, multi-purpose centre offering a wide range of sporting and fitness opportunities for the Hawkesbury region, which previously lacked a comparable
Indoor Netballers celebrating a win. Credit Hawkesbury PCYC.
indoor facility.
On 28 March 2024, Hawkesbury PCYC was officially relaunched after a major upgrade, unveiling a suite of impressive new features for the broader sporting community. These include six competition courts for a variety of indoor sports, a state-of-the-art 1,200sqm gymnastics facility catering for recreational through to competitive gymnasts, and 300sqm of multi-purpose activity spaces designed for programs, learning opportunities and community events.
The centre also boasts a well-equipped 200sqm gym and fitness centre, modern amenities, meeting rooms and a café, creating inclusive spaces for exercise, social connection and community engagement.
Hawkesbury PCYC continues to be home to the Hawkesbury Basketball Association, supporting local talent through junior and senior competitions, as well as representative pathways via the Hawkesbury Jets. Indoor netball is another strong performer, with several players recently representing NSW at national championships, while futsal remains highly popular, with local teams competing at a high level in NSW competitions.
Gymnastics is now a major drawcard, offering pathways for children and aspiring athletes, and the centre has also
introduced parkour— a fast-growing sport scheduled to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Newer activities such as pickleball and recreational archery further expand the range of options available.
For those focused on fitness, Hawkesbury PCYC offers strength training, cardio, cross-training, group classes and boxing, with experienced coaches supporting participants from beginners through to competitive pathways. A wide selection of martial arts is also available, including Aikido, Hapkido, Judo, Karate, Kickboxing, Kung Fu and Taekwondo. With a 20-year lease granted by Hawkesbury City Council, PCYC’ s longterm commitment to the community is clear. From grassroots sport to elite pathways and everyday fitness, Hawkesbury PCYC truly offers something for everyone.
At a glance: Hawkesbury PCYC Location: Hawkesbury Indoor Sports
Stadium, Stewart Street, South Windsor Opened under PCYC: July 2020 Relaunched after major upgrade:
March 2024
Facilities include:
• Six indoor competition courts
• 1,200sqm state-of-the-art gymnastics facility
• 200sqm gym and fitness centre
Bligh Park FC The Wolves futsal team. Credit Hawkesbury PCYC
• 300sqm multi-purpose activity spaces
• Boxing and martial arts training rooms
• Meeting rooms and café
• Home of Hawkesbury Basketball Association
Sports & activities on offer: Basketball, indoor netball, futsal, gymnastics, parkour, pickleball, boxing, martial arts( Aikido, Hapkido, Judo, Karate, Kickboxing, Kung Fu, Taekwondo), archery, gym and group fitness classes. Find out more: pcycnsw. org. au / hawkesbury( 02) 4587 5899

Nepean Ducks win three in a row in Gridiron NSW Colts competition

with Matt“ Duck Man” Austin
It’ s not often in sport that you get the chance to be part of a legacy team that is genuinely making history – but the Nepean Ducks Colts gridiron side has done exactly that.
In their third consecutive grand final appearance, the Ducks claimed their third straight premiership, taking out the Under 19s Kookaburra Bowl at 4 Pines Park( Brookvale Oval) as part of the Gridiron NSW Big Dance.
It was a big occasion and a big test, with the Ducks facing a red-hot
Nepean Duck Kookaburra Cup Champions 2025.
University of Wollongong Mustangs outfit in the season decider. More than 3,000 spectators packed the venue to enjoy a full day of grand final showdowns, including the Ducks also featuring in the inaugural Under 15s Mixed Flag Football grand final.
The Kookaburra Bowl had everything you could ask for – explosive big plays, bone-rattling hits, plenty of push and shove, and momentum swinging back and forth right up until the final whistle. Both sides left nothing in the tank, delivering a high-quality contest that was broadcast live on Gridiron NSW TV in perfect conditions.
Huge respect goes to the Wollongong Mustangs for an outstanding season and a championship performance that signals a very bright future heading into 2026.
But when the pressure was at its peak, the Ducks once again showed why they are the benchmark team in the Colts competition.
Ever-reliable quarterback Andrew Klemenic steered the ship with a Tom Bradyesque calmness, distributing quality ball and keeping the Ducks’ offence ticking. Running back Isaac Maraki was a constant threat, while wide receivers Isaac Leulu, Julius Wallace and Cooper Hancott all produced strong performances and caused ongoing problems for the Mustangs’ defence.
The Ducks’ success was also built in the trenches, with David Tolefafoa, Tom Sawtell, Ezekiah Solomona, Ezekiel Leuluai and Cyrus Toleafoa delivering big, physical efforts on both sides of the ball.
Head Coach Lachy Bignall, a former quarterback with nine years’ playing experience, continues to build something special at Nepean, having now guided the Colts to Kookaburra Bowl titles in 2023,
Nepean Ducks blitz Wollongong Mustangs.
2024 and 2025.
It has been a breakthrough year for the club overall, with the Ducks also recording their first senior men’ s wins in three years. With a wave of talented Colts players ready to step up, the future of Nepean gridiron looks extremely bright. For players, coaches, supporters and the wider community, this historic three-peat is a moment that will be remembered for many years to come – and a proud win for sport in Western Sydney.
THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 189 // FEBRUARY 2026 29