It was another successful year for Collie and its athletes out on their respective tracks, fields and courts.
JANUARY
Gemma Buckle (gold) and An-ne Pelser (silver) both claimed medals at the Gosnells little athletics multi-event to start the year.
The team of Tom Edwards, Ross White, Ron White and Wayne Stocks took out the Collie Bowling Club’s marquee event, the Bendigo Community Bank Collie Classic.
The Collie Power women’s team got a coaching masterclass from the best female soccer player in the world, Matildas and Perth Glory star Sam Kerr.
Seventeen Collie little athletes competed at the Bunbury Country Championships, winning 18 medals between them. An-ne Pelser also set a championship record in the discus.
The cricket team Collie sent to the annual Country Week tournament made it to the final of the week-long competition, but fell to Upper Great Western in the final.
Hayley Digney, Shae Digney and Maggie Biffin represented WA at the Underwater Hockey National Championships, where they claimed bronze medals.
FEBRUARY
Gary Keep became the first country bowler to win the over 60s state singles bowls championship.
The team of Jamie North, Hayley Digney and Ashley Shepherd from Collie, Bailey Annear of Busselton and James Iredale of Margaret River took out the Shane Digney Memorial Collie Cup in underwater hockey.
The Collie Eagles senior and junior clubs amalgamated into the one club, providing a clearer future for the clubs and its players.
The Matthew Scott-trained Lisdelight claimed the Bendigo Bank King Coal Cup, giving Scott his fifth win in the prestigious race in a row.
Dale Jackson, John Wilson, Brian Wilson and Peter Robb were awarded life membership by the Collie Harness Racing Club for their dedication to the sport.
The Collie Bowling Club’s fourth division team took out the Tuesday Pennants competition.
Collie cricketer Steve Fraser lived out his dream as he represented the Australian over 50 cricket team on its tour of New Zealand. Unfortunately Fraser suffered a knee injury in the tour’s first game.
MARCH
An-ne Pelser backed up her previous form in the discus when she claimed a gold medal at the little athletics state championships. She also claimed bronze medals in shot put and high jump.
Jac Hollins and Chrischelle David took out the Collie Lawn Tennis Club’s single seniors championships.
Michael Golinski took top honours in the Collie Golf Club’s Riverside Open, finishing four shots better than previous winner and older brother Greg.
The Year 8 cricket team took out the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association premiership with a stunning five wicket win over Grammar in the grand final.
Shaun Pianta became WA’s first Winter Paralympian when represented Australia at the games in Pyeongchang, South Korea just two months after tearing his ACL in training. Shaun ultimately finished 14th in the giant slalom event and recorded a DNF in the slalom.
Lisdelight continued its fine harness racing season by backing up its King Coal Cup win with a victory in the Collie Cup.
APRIL
The Collie Eagles women’s team played its first competitive game in an 11-point loss to Eaton, while the league team started with two straight wins to claim top spot on the ladder.
Alan Kent took out the Collie Golf Club’s Diggers Day trophy for its annual ANZAC Day tournament.
The Collie Mongrels Rugby Club kicked off the 2018 South West Rugby season with the annual King of the Hill scratch match against the Bunbury Bulls. Unfortunately the Mongrels weren’t able to pick up the win.
MAY
Albany cyclist Craig Wiggins took out the 76th running of the Tom Lowry Memorial Cycle Race.
Bev Moyses claimed the win in the Collie Golf Club’s womens-only Pink Day event.
The Collie Eagles signed former Docker Ryan Crowley as an injury replacement player. He managed just two games before breaking his collarbone.
Collie Senior High School was crowned the B-division Champion School at the South West Interschool Athletics Carnival.
Golfers Kyle Hulls, Regan Old and Clayton Flynn took out the Stoney Creek 3Ball Classic.
The Collie Eagles women got off the mark with their first and only win of the season against South Bunbury.
Collie bowler Maud Taylor represented Western Australia at the Multi-Bowl National Championships, Disability Sport Australia’s premier lawn bowls event, in Perth.
JUNE
Belle Ramshaw and Grace Sheppard were selected for the under 16 state school girls hockey team.
Collie trainer Trent Wheeler claimed leading reinsperson award at the Wagin Trotting Club for the second year in a row after another successful season.
The Collie Eagles league team finally hit the winners list after seven straight losses with a 21-point victory over Augusta-Margaret River.
Collie soccer stars Campbell Watt and Jack Costa’s under 14 South West Phoenix team was elevated to division one of the NPL after a strong first half of the season.