LAST Saturday was a sensational celebration of the 2026 season with the Tea Gardens Soccer Club grand finals played and the club’s presentation awards ceremony following the final whistle.
The jumping castles, face painters and balloon artists had a break while we took some time to present every registered player with their trophies and awards.
Congratulations to all of our players for their efforts all season and a special mention to:
Bodhi McGrath – Tiny Champion on the minis field award.
Hugo Barker – Midi Champion on the field award.
William Hood – Best and Fairest award.
Tobias Keeble – Junior all-rounder award.
Marley Allen – Lions Sportsmanship voucher.
Aria Jacobsen – Encouragement award.
The club’s social calendar continued, despite the end of the soccer season.
TGSC hosted its ‘Town of Origin community event and fund-raiser’ on 19 September.
This year the club’s support benefited Kayleigh Thompson, a talented young local swimmer who is striving to get to the School Sport Australia National Swimming Championships in Melbourne this November and has the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games in her sights.
Kayleigh along with her biggest fan and mum, Lauren, enjoyed the days’ festivities as did the couple of hundred attendees.
The day attracted players, families and spectators from as far afield as Karuah, Bulahdelah and Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest and included fun games for all ages, including adults and 50+ Walking Footballers.
The day’s score tallies were posted on a score board for everyone to keep an eye on which town won what game and, of course, the ongoing combined scoreline.
At the end of the day, Karuah and Bulahdelah placed equal first with Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest a very close second, meaning that the recently rediscovered original Perpetual Town of Origin Shield, first awarded in 1993, was awarded to the players from the two winning towns to share over the next 12 months.
Walking football’s Twilight Season will kick off at 5pm on Wednesday, 7 October.
By Shayne REYNOLDS
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