Kicking the cold

A Fd Bty, dark blue and green, mounts an attack against the 3RAR Bs, yellow. The Gunners sustained their strong, attack winning the contest 26-5. Photo by Bill Cunneen, Army newpaper

By Cpl Belinda Mepham

SYDNEY members are bouncing and kicking balls all over the area to keep warm at this years Liverpool Military Area (LMA) Winter Sports Carnival.

Held every off-pay Thursday, the LMA gathers together six basketball, six rugby union and four soccer teams to play-off toward the semi-finals looming in August.

3RAR, 4RAR, IRR, DPTC, 145 Sig Sqn, a combined engineers group and other minor units making up composite teams play at Holsworthy and Steele Barracks.

Because of the high readiness and tempo of 5 Bde, it has been five years since a similar competition has been played in the area.

The enthusiasm of the teams competing in this recently instituted carnival is high, promising some strong matches at grandfinal time in early September.

Rugby and soccer are the only football codes competing due to a shortage of venues not affected by the NSW water restrictions.

The basketball is played in the area gym and SME gym.

Members passing though or posted in the area are encouraged to attend the matches and lend support.

After games all teams meet at the Maxwell Club at Holsworthy Barracks where a man-of-the-match award, sponsored by Frontline, is given to each game of the day.

The basketball competition has the Sydney Razorbacks backing them also.

The competition is so popular that next year, pending brigade commitments, an invitation will be extended to the RAN and RAAF to participate.

Unit reps are:

Soccer Capt John Lawler, IRR, (02) 9600 2439 Rugby Union Lt Rory O’Shea, 3RAR, (02) 9600 2478 Basketball Cpl Brent Kerehona, 21Mp Coy, (02) 9600 1281 Any queries on sponsorship or contact Maj Al Smith, HQ 5 Bde, on (02) 9600 2602