Chance For New Breed To Stand Up

Newcastle Herald

Thursday June 4, 1998

Sean Melehan

NEWCASTLE'S next generation of young ironmen and ironwomen have the chance to win a place in Australia's premier surf event after details of the annual Uncle Tobys and Meadow Lee trials were issued this week.

The trial will be held at Mooloolaba in Queensland on Sunday, September 6, and will incorporate a new format to cater for the huge number of competitors.

The top 10 placegetters from each trial race earn the right to challenge reigning champions Guy Andrews and Karla Gilbert in this year's national series.

At Mooloolaba there will be up to three men's heats and two women's heats, containing a maximum of 35 competitors per race and no more than 30 in the final.

The trial will be the only way for aspiring athletes to gain entry. The competitors' committee and event organisers have decided to drop the wild-card system.

* Australian cricket legends Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee will be guest speakers at sportsman's luncheons at the Swansea-Belmont Surf Club on June 19 and 20.

The Swansea-Belmont Junior Surf Lifesaving Club in conjunction with the Belmont North Junior Rugby League Football Club will present `Caught Marsh Bowled Lillee'.

Sports memorabilia auctions will include a 1971 South Sydney grand-final jumper and a cricket bat signed by Sir Don Bradman. ? Sean Melehan

© 1998 Newcastle Herald

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