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The local cricket season came to an end last Saturday with two top quality grand finals.
The scores were a bit lop-sided (which can easily happen in cricket) but the standard of play was right up there.
Congratulations to Royals (A grade) and Bowling Club (B grade) in winning their respective premierships.
At the presentation ceremony afterwards, a few people were recognised for their contribution to local cricket.
I would also like to recognise them here.
Warwick Wheeldon, Trevor Chatman, Paul Dunford, Cameron Rosser, Greg Morrissey and last, but definitely not least, Peter Yelland all did an amazing job of making the 2014-15 cricket season a great success.
As is often the case in sport, the people behind the scenes get taken for granted until they pass the reins to others.
These people are integral to any sport’s continued success, especially in a town like ours which has so many good sports to offer would-be players.
The six people I named deserve a lot of credit and I hope they continue their work for cricket because they have it pointing in the right direction.
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The senior hockey season started last week with good success.
I noticed in one match two names that I am nearly certain we will see a lot of in the future.
B grade mens Magpies Academy players Kyle Thompson and Kobie Johnstone were Best and Fairest for their team and look to have a very bright future ahead of them.
I really don’t know where they got their hockey talent from because both their dads are hacks!
I have a lot of experience playing with and against Graeme Thompson and Glenn Johnstone.
They are two high quality players who always played hockey the right way.
Both men are still heavily involved in junior hockey and continue to pass on their vast experience to the stars of the future.
They have obviously done a pretty good job with their boys.
The strength of junior hockey in Parkes gives the sport a positive future.
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It looks like the Parramatta Eels could be in a bit of strife after the last round of NRL matches.
On three separate occasions during the Eels 29-16 loss to the Warriors in Auckland last Saturday night, their medical staff allowed players to return to the field after receiving heavy head knocks.
Eels coach Brad Arthur has said he followed team medical advice that the players had passed the NRL’s concussion test before allowing them back on the field.
The most major of the incidents, involving Eels hooker Nathan Peats, looked very dodgey.
Peats collided with the shoulder of Warriors forward Jacob Lillyman and looked to be in Disneyland afterwards.
However, Eels medicos told Arthur that Peats was able to return to the field despite still clearly looking dazed.
This, and the other two incidents which were less clear, could cost the Eels a fine in the six figure region and competition points if they are found guilty of ignoring the player safety guidelines.
The National Football League (NFL) in the US settled a lawsuit from ex-players for a reported $765 million (USD) over concussion-related brain injuries.
Approximately 4500 former players, some suffering from depression, Alzheimer's and dementia that they blamed on blows to the head, had sued the league, accusing it of concealing the dangers of concussions and rushing injured players back onto the field.
Clubs and the NRL would want to make sure they are doing all they can to avoid a similar issue here.
I find it hard to believe the NRL are not allocating independent doctors to matches to assess players who suffered head injuries and their suitability to return to the field.
Every member of a club wants their best players on the paddock, making it very difficult for a team doctor to make an unbiased assessment.
Even when the team doctors are making the correct calls, there will always be suspicion because of their club allegiance.
The NRL really needs to step up in this department.