Here is what made sporting headlines in March 2021.
‘Toughest swim done’ – Brenda Norman finally got her chance to tackle the Palm to Shelley swim in Sydney. Battling rough waters, 30km/h winds, 2m swells, sharks and bluebottles, she completed the 27km swim in 11 hours and 17 minutes. Later in the month, Norman completed the World Open Water Swimming Association Australian Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming by completing the 25km Port to Pub swim in Western Australia, with a time of eight hours and 21 minutes. She was the first woman to claim the triple crown.
‘Charlie in Riv. squad’ – Deniliquin North School student Charlie McCallum was selected in the initial 24-man Riverina Primary School Sports Association cricket squad.
‘One of the biggest Classics to date’ – One of the biggest fields in many years contested the Deniliquin Golf Club’s 2021 Autumn Classic. The 36 hole winners were Nick Metcalfe and Gary Bradford in the men’s with 89 points, and Jenny Swainger and Vicki Hutton in the ladies’ with 83.
‘Downed in decider’ – It was heartbreak for the Deni Rhinos in the Murray Valley Cricket Association A grade grand final. After going through the season undefeated, the Rhinos suffered a three wicket loss to Cobram.
‘World number 1’ – Deniliquin skiing sisters Erica and Lauren Hayes took the waterskiing world by storm. Erica claimed the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation world number one overall ranking in the under 14 women’s waterskiing division. Laura broke the under 12 girls’ national and state tricks records at the same tournament — the Mulwala Moomba Tournament.
‘Deni dominance’ – Six Deni Rhinos players were named in the Murray Valley Cricket Association’s Team of the Year at the 2020/2021 end of season awards ceremony — Dean Edge, Brad Todd, Boddie Arthur, Andrew Hogan, Mick Barnett and Brad Pocock.
‘Grand final medal named after Fleming’ – Long-time Deni Rovers and Picola & District Football Netball League board member Michael Fleming was honoured at the season launch, told that a Michael Fleming Medal would be presented to the best on ground in the league’s reserves grand final later in the year.
