TONIC | CLUB DEVELOPMENT NOTICE
HI ALL
By Dave Lammin
I WRITE THIS ARTICLE ON THE EVE OF EASTER REFLECTING ON THE
PAST THREE MONTHS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. IN SUCH
A SHORT SPACE OF TIME, IT OFTEN AMAZES ME HOW MUCH GOES ON
IN OUR LIVES AND HOW THINGS CAN CHANGE AT THE DROP OF A
HAT. RECENTLY ONE OF OUR OWN, MARK MCNAMARA PASSED AWAY
SUDDENLY. ‘MACCA’, AS WE ALL KNEW HIM, WAS A ‘MASTER CRAFTSMAN’
IN THE OCEAN AND WAS ALWAYS MORE THAN WILLING TO GIVE BACK
TO THE SPORT, WHICH HE LOVED. FOR THOSE THAT WERE CLOSE TO
MACCA, CAN CERTAINLY ATTEST TO HIS LOVE OF THE OCEAN AND
PASSION FOR SURFING. MARK’S MEMORIAL SERVICE ON THE GOLD
COAST, WAS RECENTLY ATTENDED BY SO MANY WHO PAYED THEIR
RESPECT TO A MAN WHO HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO SURFING. I AM SURE
THAT MACCA’S LEGACY WILL LIVE ON FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
I have found myself lately flipping through our local Queensland papers,
regularly reading articles about surfing, which recently have been heavily
focussed on the success of our junior athletes across all disciplines of
surfing. ‘Surfing’, which encompasses shortboard, longboard, Stand-Up
Paddle and Bodyboarding, is fast becoming one of the most viewed, talked
about, reported on and participated in, sports in this country and across
the globe. More and more opportunities are starting to open up, not only for
our gifted athletes, but also in other areas that have helped bolster the sport,
including Athlete Management, Professional Coaching and Judging, Event
Management. Media & Communications, Creative, Journalism, Marketing
& Sponsorship, Retail, Finance, Sports Administration, Sports Management,
just to name a few. I am pleased to say that our sport is in healthy shape and
getting stronger!
The developmental pathways that have been established here in this country
are at the forefront of the industry. Our affiliated Surf Schools, Boardriders
Clubs have formed the backbone of ‘grass roots’ surfing in Australia for many
years. Moreover they are considered by many, as the platform from which
our young athletes and administrators launch their future careers. Surfing
Queensland and Surfing Australia acknowledge the importance and efforts of
our affiliated Surf Schools and Boardriders Club and encourages and supports
their continued growth and development.
On behalf of the Surfing Queensland team, I hope you all had a great Easter
and I wish you all the best over the coming months. Take care and I look
forward to our next edition of Tonic!
Cheers
Dave Lammin
Sport Development Manager
Surfing Queensland
18 – AUTUMN ISSUE SURFINGQUEENSLAND.COM.AU