Boondall Archives - Aspley News

Bullets Fight Back from the Brink, Only for Tasmania to Steal Overtime Victory

The Brisbane Bullets were 22 seconds away from completing a remarkable comeback at Boondall, having erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to snatch the lead against Tasmania. But a moment of brilliance from JackJumpers guard Taran Armstrong forced overtime, where the visitors pulled away for a 109–99 victory at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday, 3 October.

Brisbane had already surrendered a 14-point lead of their own earlier in the contest, and appeared headed for defeat when Tasmania led 89–80 late in the final quarter. What followed was a desperate 11–0 scoring run, capped by Tyrell Harrison’s close-range basket with 26.5 seconds remaining, that brought the home crowd to its feet.

Harrison’s score put Brisbane ahead 91–89, completing a comeback that had looked increasingly unlikely only minutes earlier. Tasmania had missed ten consecutive field-goal attempts as the Bullets clawed their way back, and the visitors needed something special to escape.

Armstrong supplied it.

Driving the play with 22 seconds remaining, he delivered a behind-the-back pass to Josh Bannan beneath the basket for the tying score. Brisbane had one final opportunity, but Max Mackinnon’s three-point attempt at the buzzer missed, sending the teams into overtime locked at 91–91.

A fourteen-point lead slips away

The Bullets had started the evening looking capable of maintaining their unbeaten home record, taking control early through Harrison’s work inside and a productive offensive performance from Mackinnon and Nate Hinton.

Brisbane led 23–17 after the opening quarter and stretched the advantage to 14 points during the second. Even after Tasmania began to respond, the Bullets went into half-time ahead 47–40, with their attack having found a productive balance between scoring in the paint and shooting from distance.

That balance deserted them after the main break.

Tasmania unleashed a 13–0 run in the third quarter, with Armstrong directing the offence and former Brisbane players Will Magnay and Bannan increasingly influential. The JackJumpers scored 34 points to Brisbane’s 18 in the period, completely reversing the contest to lead 74–65 with ten minutes remaining.

The change was substantial. Brisbane had gone from controlling the game to chasing it, and Tasmania’s physicality around the basket was making every possession more difficult.

Harrison leads the resistance

Harrison refused to let the contest drift away. The Brisbane centre finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards, while Hinton and Mackinnon contributed 21 points apiece.

Mackinnon’s outside shooting was particularly valuable, with five three-pointers from eight attempts keeping Brisbane in touch. Hinton added three steals and repeatedly found ways to attack Tasmania’s defence.

Arnas Velička had a more difficult night scoring, missing all 11 of his field-goal attempts during regulation. Yet the Lithuanian guard remained heavily involved in Brisbane’s offence, eventually finishing with 13 assists, five rebounds and six points.

Those contributions helped the Bullets mount their extraordinary late recovery, particularly when Tasmania’s shooting dried up. Harrison was central to the final push, converting an inside opportunity after Brisbane had gathered three offensive rebounds on the same possession, then putting the Bullets ahead during their 11-point unanswered run.

For all the excitement of that comeback, however, Brisbane could not find the defensive stop that would have preserved their advantage.

Armstrong has the final word

Velička briefly gave Brisbane renewed hope when he scored the opening basket of overtime, his first field goal of the evening after 11 misses in regulation.

The JackJumpers soon regained their composure. Armstrong continued to attack, Magnay and Bannan provided the inside presence, and Tasmania converted seven of nine field-goal attempts during the extra period.

With 44 seconds remaining, Armstrong completed a driving basket through contact and added the free throw, stretching Tasmania’s advantage to five points. Brisbane had little left to offer after spending so much energy fighting their way back into the contest, and the JackJumpers scored the final ten points of overtime to turn a tense struggle into a double-digit victory.

Armstrong finished with a game-high 29 points and four assists, while Magnay and Bannan scored 22 apiece. Bannan also collected 11 rebounds, with Magnay adding nine rebounds, six assists and four blocks. Dakota Mathias contributed 19 points.

For Brisbane, the defeat was especially difficult given the opportunities they had created at both ends of the game. Their early 14-point advantage had disappeared in a damaging third quarter, yet they still found enough determination to recover from 11 points down and take the lead in the final minute.

The Bullets were left with a 2–2 record after four matches, having followed two opening victories with consecutive defeats. Their next assignment was a trip north to face Cairns on Thursday, 8 October, with coach Will Weaver facing the challenge of turning encouraging passages of basketball into a complete four-quarter performance.

Brisbane had led by 14, trailed by 11 and fought back to within seconds of victory. After 45 minutes of basketball, all they had to show for it was a ten-point defeat.

Game Details

Competition: 2026–27 NBL Season, Round 3
Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
Venue: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall
Final Score: Tasmania JackJumpers 109 defeated Brisbane Bullets 99 (overtime)

Quarter-by-quarter scores:
First Quarter: Brisbane 23–17 Tasmania
Half-time: Brisbane 47–40 Tasmania
Three-quarter time: Tasmania 74–65 Brisbane
End of Regulation: Brisbane 91–91 Tasmania
Overtime: Tasmania outscored Brisbane 18–8

Leading Scorers:
Brisbane Bullets: Tyrell Harrison — 24 points, 12 rebounds; Nate Hinton — 21 points; Max Mackinnon — 21 points
Tasmania JackJumpers: Taran Armstrong — 29 points; Will Magnay — 22 points; Josh Bannan — 22 points

Brisbane’s Season Record: 2 wins, 2 losses
Next Match: Cairns Taipans v Brisbane Bullets — Thursday, 8 October 2026, Cairns Convention Centre.

Published 3-Oct-2026

Boondall ViP Elaine Celebrated for 22 Years Supporting Local Police and Community Safety

Photo Credit: QLD Police

While many residents may recognise the uniformed officers at Coffee with a Cop or local Neighbourhood Watch events, one of the most consistent contributors to community safety in Brisbane’s north has worked quietly in the background for more than two decades.

As part of National Volunteers Week, the Gateway Crime Prevention Unit in Boondall is recognising Elaine, a Volunteer in Police (VIP) member who has spent 22 years supporting the Queensland Police Service.

Elaine has become a familiar part of the unit’s community-facing work, assisting at public engagement events including Coffee with a Cop sessions and Neighbourhood Watch activities, while also providing behind-the-scenes support in the office.

National Volunteers Week, running from 18 to 24 May, is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering, recognising the millions of people who donate their time to strengthen local communities.

For policing teams like the Gateway Crime Prevention Unit, volunteers can play a significant role in helping officers stay connected with the communities they serve.

That local relevance is particularly clear in the Aspley district, where the Boondall-based unit regularly runs outreach programs aimed at crime prevention, road safety awareness and community engagement across Brisbane’s north.

While frontline officers are often the public face of those efforts, volunteers like Elaine help keep many of those initiatives running.

After 22 years of service, that contribution is now being formally recognised as part of the national celebration of volunteerism.

Published 23-May-2026

Road Safety Week Campaign Heads to Boondall and Geebung with Community Events

Photo Credit: QLD Police

A morning coffee stop in Boondall and a motorcycle-focused community gathering in Geebung will become part of a wider road safety push this week, as police take National Road Safety Week messaging directly into North Brisbane neighbourhoods.

Queensland Police, alongside the Department of Transport and Main Roads, are hosting a series of community events across the region as part of the annual campaign, which runs from 17 to 24 May and focuses on reducing road trauma while encouraging safer driving habits.

For Aspley district residents, two of the closest events will take place in Boondall and Geebung.

The first is a Coffee with a Cop session at Zarraffa’s Boondall on Thursday 21 May from 7am to 8.30am, giving commuters and locals a chance to speak with police about road safety concerns over a morning coffee.

Later in the week, attention shifts to two wheels, with police launching a motorcycle safety initiative at Bike Night at Café Elle in Geebung on Saturday 23 May from 5pm to 7.30pm.

While community engagement is the public face of the campaign, the message behind it is far more serious.

National Road Safety Week was established to raise awareness of the lasting impact of road trauma, honour those killed or seriously injured in crashes, and encourage Australians to make safer decisions behind the wheel.

Queensland Police say enforcement remains important, but changing behaviour before dangerous choices are made is just as critical.

That includes the habits authorities continue to link to serious crashes and fatalities: speeding, driving while distracted, fatigue, drink or drug driving, and failing to wear seatbelts.

Police will also be taking the campaign into other parts of North Brisbane, including a rural road safety-themed parkrun activation in Samford and a football round community event at Norths Devils in Nundah alongside ambulance and fire crews.

But for motorists in the Aspley catchment, the Boondall and Geebung events bring the campaign closer to home.

Rather than relying solely on patrol cars and roadside enforcement, the week is designed to start conversations in places where people already gather, whether that is a café before work or a community bike meet on a Saturday evening.

The underlying message is simple: road safety is not just a policing issue. It is a responsibility shared by everyone who gets behind the wheel or throws a leg over a bike.

Published 17-May-2026

Big Fight Energy Close to Home: Tszyu–Zerafa Set for Boondall Showdown

Photo Credit: BEC/Facebook

Aspley boxing fans won’t need to head far to catch one of the biggest Australian fight nights of the year, with a long-brewing rivalry set to reach breaking point at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall.

On Friday, January 16, the much-anticipated clash between undefeated rising talent Nikita Tszyu and seasoned contender Michael Zerafa will happen, a bout that has been years in the making and now lands on Brisbane’s northside.

Promoted by No Limit Boxing, the fight has generated national attention thanks to a long-running feud and genuine animosity between the two fighters. For Aspley locals, it brings elite Australian boxing within easy reach, without the need for interstate travel or city-centre crowds.

Fight Night Details

The event takes place on Friday, January 16, with the fight card scheduled to begin at 6pm AEST. With a full main card on offer, the headline bout is expected later in the evening, likely between 9pm and 10pm, depending on how the earlier fights progress.

The Brisbane Entertainment Centre, a familiar venue for major concerts and sporting events, is expected to be buzzing as fight fans from across Brisbane and the bayside arrive for the showdown.

What’s on the Line

The main event is set for 10 rounds at a catchweight between super welterweight and middleweight, ensuring neither fighter holds a clear physical advantage.

For Tszyu, 27, the fight represents the toughest test of his unbeaten professional career. Fighting out of a southpaw stance, he is known for constant pressure and a willingness to turn bouts into physical contests. Carrying one of the most recognisable surnames in Australian boxing, a win here would mark a major step forward at domestic level.

Zerafa, 33, brings far more ring experience. With more than 40 professional bouts behind him, he has faced former world champions and top-tier contenders both in Australia and overseas. While he has fallen short of a world title, his experience in high-pressure fights is widely seen as a key factor heading into this matchup.

Styles That Promise Fireworks

From a boxing standpoint, this is a classic clash of approaches. Tszyu’s aggressive, forward-driving style has produced knockouts, but it has also seen him tested when caught cleanly.

Zerafa, an orthodox fighter, tends to be more measured and tactical. He has shown the ability to weather pressure, stay composed and capitalise when opponents overcommit. Combined with the southpaw-orthodox matchup, it shapes as a contest unlikely to remain cautious for long.

A Full Night of Action

The night offers more than just the main event. One of the key undercard highlights is the professional boxing debut of former Melbourne Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona, adding crossover appeal for rugby league fans.

Heavyweight and domestic bouts round out the program, ensuring the crowd remains engaged from the opening bell rather than simply building toward the headline fight.

Local Excitement

For Aspley residents, major boxing events of this scale rarely take place so close to home. With the Brisbane Entertainment Centre only a short drive away, locals have a convenient chance to see a nationally significant bout live.

Whether the night ends with Tszyu extending his unbeaten run or Zerafa delivering a statement win, the atmosphere promises to be intense. Those unable to attend can watch live via Main Event on Kayo Sports, but for locals heading to Boondall, it’s an opportunity to witness a pivotal moment in Australian boxing in person.

Published 13-Jan-2026

Boondall Residents Urged to Watch Out for School Holiday Safety as Police Issue Seasonal Reminder

Boondall families are being urged to stay vigilant over the upcoming school holidays, with Brisbane North police highlighting a spike in property-related offences and urging residents to watch out for vulnerable local schools and playgrounds.

Police Warn of Seasonal Trends

As the end of the school term approaches, officers from the Brisbane North district have issued a reminder to the Boondall community and nearby suburbs about keeping an eye on schools, parks, and residential properties over the holidays. Police say opportunistic offenders often target unattended vehicles, unsecured houses and school grounds during this period of increased activity.

The message comes after recent reports across North Brisbane of vehicles being broken into and items stolen from properties where doors or windows were left unlocked. Police emphasised that most of these incidents could be prevented with simple precautions.

Simple Steps for Better Holiday Security

North Brisbane police are encouraging residents to take straightforward steps to protect themselves and the neighbourhood. These include locking vehicles and houses, removing valuables from sight, and ensuring garage and garden shed doors are secured.

Officers also suggest establishing an informal watch with neighbours and reporting suspicious behaviour to police immediately. They remind locals that even short periods of being away from home or the car can present opportunities for thieves.

Schools and Public Spaces in Focus

While the message is aimed at homes and vehicles, police specifically mention school grounds, playgrounds and recreation areas as locations that can attract unwanted attention when left unattended. As children finish the term and families head off on holidays or late afternoon outings, these spaces can become targets for vandalism or theft if not kept in view.

Parents and carers are asked to be mindful of where bicycles, scooters and sports equipment are stored during the holidays, and to teach young people to respect public and private property.

Community Can Help Prevent Crime

Police stress that local residents are the best eyes and ears in their own streets. Reporting odd activity to 000 if a crime is in progress, or to Policelink on 131 444 for non-urgent matters, can help police respond quickly and prevent further offences.

The seasonal message aligns with ongoing neighbourhood safety efforts and encourages Boondall and neighbouring communities to be proactive about holiday safety and property security.

Published 3-Dec-2025

Waiting for a Liver, Boondall Teen Gives Jersey Day New Meaning

Photo Credit: Kylie Larman

On the sports fields of Boondall, jerseys usually mean rugby line-outs and team spirit. For 17-year-old Matthew Larman, the familiar fabric now carries a different weight. As his classmates at Nudgee College pull on their favourite team colours for Jersey Day, Matthew waits quietly for a call that could change his life: the chance of a liver transplant.

The Diagnosis

Matthew was only a child when doctors told him he had primary sclerosing cholangitis, a rare disease that scars the bile ducts and slowly damages the liver.

Since then, his life has been marked by hospital stays, medical tests, broken bones, and surgeries. He has learned to balance study and sport with the uncertainty of a disease few people his age have ever heard of.

For years, Matthew kept his diagnosis to himself, not wanting to be defined by his illness. But as the wait for a transplant grew longer, he decided to speak up—not for sympathy, but to encourage others to have a simple, difficult conversation about organ and tissue donation.

He has told his friends that some children with the same condition cannot even leave their hospital beds. His message to his school community is that he still gets to live a mostly normal life, but others need the world to notice them.

A School that Listens

Nudgee College, set in the heart of Boondall, has embraced Matthew’s idea of joining Jersey Day for the first time. Instead of a fundraiser, the day asks people to wear a jersey and talk at home about registering as donors.

Principal Scott Thomson has described Matthew’s efforts as exactly what schools hope to foster—young people ready to make a positive difference. Classmates have also rallied around him, seeing in his story not only resilience but a reason to care about families waiting in hospital wards across Queensland.

Matthew’s push has reached further than the school gates. He shared his story on 4BC radio, telling listeners that organ donation is about trust and community. National organisers of Jersey Day have highlighted Nudgee’s efforts on their platforms, pointing out that one donor can save up to seven lives. For Matthew, the campaign is a chance to make his private struggle matter for someone else’s future.

Boondall’s Call to Action

In Boondall, where the school is a cornerstone of the suburb, Matthew’s campaign has given neighbours a reason to act. Residents are being urged to visit DonateLife and register, but more importantly, to talk with their families.

Statistics show that although one in three Australians say they are willing to donate, only a small percentage actually can, and families often face the hardest decisions without knowing their loved one’s wishes.

For Matthew, the wait continues. He cannot predict when a phone call will tell him a liver is available. But until that moment, he is determined to turn his story into something larger than himself.

Legendary Paul Kelly to Bring His Largest-Ever Headline Tour to Brisbane

Music legend Paul Kelly is set to take the stage at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Friday, 29 August 2025, as part of his biggest headline tour to date across Australia and New Zealand.

Read: Paul Kelly Brings ‘Fever Longing Still’ to Brisbane for 2025 Arena Tour

Presented by Frontier Touring and Triple M, the highly anticipated show will see Kelly joined by an impressive line-up of international and local talent.

The tour spans 10 arena dates, with stops in major cities including Perth, Sydney, Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne, Christchurch, Wellington, and Auckland. Accompanied by his long-time live band, Kelly promises a career-spanning performance that will celebrate decades of storytelling through song.

Paul Kelly’s Musical Career

Photo credit: CC BY 2.0/Bruce Baker/Wikimedia Commons

Few Australian artists have shaped the nation’s cultural soundtrack as profoundly as Paul Kelly. Over a career that stretches more than four decades, he has released a catalogue of timeless songs that weave together stories of place, people, and history. From beloved tracks such as To Her Door, Leaps and Bounds, How To Make Gravy, and From Little Things Big Things Grow (co-written with Kev Carmody), Kelly has continually explored the themes of love, loss, identity, and the Australian landscape.

Honoured with the Order of Australia in 2017, along with 17 ARIA Awards and five APRA Awards, Kelly’s influence remains unmatched. His ability to capture the soul of Australia – from everyday lives to national icons like Don Bradman and Ned Kelly – has cemented his place as one of the country’s most significant voices in music and literature.

A Stellar Line-Up of Guests

Adding to the excitement, Kelly will be joined by Lucinda Williams, one of America’s most celebrated songwriters. The three-time GRAMMY Award winner brings with her a catalogue of critically acclaimed work, known for its raw poetry and emotional depth. Williams, whose 2023 memoir was hailed by Rolling Stone and The Washington Post as one of the year’s best books, continues to be a defining figure in Americana and roots music.

Opening the Brisbane show will be Fanny Lumsden, two-time ARIA and nine-time CMAA Golden Guitar winner, known for her heartfelt and vibrant take on country music.

A Night to Remember

With Kelly fronting his band – Peter Luscombe (drums), Bill McDonald (bass), Dan Kelly (guitar), Cameron Bruce (keys), Jess Hitchcock (vocals), and Ash Naylor (guitar) – the Brisbane Entertainment Centre performance promises to be more than a concert; it will be a celebration of music, history, and storytelling on an arena scale.

Read: Hometown Crowds Await Keith Urban at Brisbane Entertainment Centre

For Brisbane fans, Friday, 29 August marks a chance to witness one of Australia’s most treasured artists deliver a show that looks set to be a defining moment in his already remarkable career.

Published 21-August-2025

Hometown Crowds Await Keith Urban at Brisbane Entertainment Centre

Photo Credit: Keith Urban/Facebook

Country music star Keith Urban will make Boondall the heart of his 2025 Australian tour, with three packed nights at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre set to draw fans from across Queensland and beyond. The internationally acclaimed artist, who grew up in the Sunshine State, is returning to the suburb where thousands have gathered over the decades to see some of music’s biggest names — and this time, it’s his turn to headline in front of a hometown crowd.

A Hometown Return

Urban, born in Whangarei, New Zealand, and raised in Queensland, has long been celebrated as one of Australia’s most successful music exports. While his career took flight in Nashville, his formative years in Caboolture shaped the sound and style that would make him a global name. Locals still recall him as the young guitarist who played community events for a modest fee before climbing international charts with albums like Golden Road and Be Here.

Boondall’s Brisbane Entertainment Centre will host Urban for three consecutive shows on 15, 16 and 17 August 2025 — the only city on the tour to score an extra date after two initial nights sold out.

These concerts mark his first local performances since December 2022 and are part of his High and Alive World Tour, named for his 2024 album High, which debuted at number three on the ARIA Albums Chart.

Celebrating Milestones

The tour arrives in a milestone year for Urban. In January, he was inducted into the Roll of Renown at the Golden Guitar Awards, where he also took home the Top Selling Australian Country Album of the Year for High. Event organisers praised his influence on country music both in Australia and abroad, citing his dedication to expanding the genre’s reach.

Urban’s career has been decorated with accolades including four Grammy Awards, 13 Country Music Association Awards, six ARIA Awards and 15 Golden Guitars. His live shows are known for their energy, featuring a mix of new material such as “Straight Line” and “Messed Up As Me” alongside chart-topping hits like “One Too Many” with P!nk and “The Fighter” with Carrie Underwood.

Boondall’s Connection

For Brisbane’s northside, Urban’s upcoming shows are more than a tour stop. The Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall has long been a gathering point for fans across the region, and for Queensland-born Urban, playing here is a symbolic nod to the community that helped shape his early career. In the past decade alone, he has sold more than half a million concert tickets in Australia, underscoring his enduring appeal.

Urban will be joined on stage by rising U.S. country singer Chase Matthew, who is opening all Australian tour dates. Tickets for the Brisbane shows are available through Ticketek, though availability is limited after high demand during presales.

Tickets and Tour Information

The High and Alive World Tour kicks off in Newcastle on 13 August 2025 before moving through Boondall, Wollongong, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Boondall shows are on 15, 16 and 17 August 2025.

For more details on venues, ticketing and tour updates, visit keithurban.com.

Boondall Ice Rink Launches Brisbane Dads on Curling Olympic Path

Photo Credit: The Curlews/Instagram

They call themselves The Curlews, named after the oddball bird with a call you can’t ignore — and this group of dads-turned-curling-athletes is making unexpected noise. Boyd Kildey, Andrew Swain, Matthew Waterhouse, Cormac te Kloot and Nick Stamatiou come from worlds as different as real estate, car sales, corporate farming, and sports commentating, but that hasn’t stopped them from chasing a bold shared dream: repping Australia at the 2030 Winter Olympics in France.

Starting Out at Boondall Iceworld

The Curlews, as the team is known, formed after a group of mates attended a “Come and Try Curling” session at Boondall Iceworld. The venue, used mainly for ice hockey and skating, provided their first opportunity to experience the sport. With no dedicated curling rink in Australia, Boondall Iceworld’s multi-use surface became their training base. Despite the limitations of the ice, the facility has remained vital for their ongoing development.

Team Background and Early Progress

The team is made up of Boyd Kildey, Andrew Swain, Matthew Waterhouse, Cormac te Kloot and Nick Stamatiou. They work in fields including commercial leasing, media, logistics, physiotherapy and automotive management. Despite limited experience on ice, they quickly took to curling and began competing locally.

The Curlews participated in the Queensland Curling Association’s President’s Cup, where they drew level in the grand final after trailing by six points, forcing a replay. Although they did not claim the state title, their performance earned them the chance to represent Queensland at the 2025 Australian National Curling Championships in Naseby, New Zealand. Their journey has highlighted the dedication required to compete at national and international levels.

curling Brisbane — Photo Credit: The Curlews/Instagram

Training Challenges and National Competition

Training on repurposed hockey ice presents difficulties. Unlike specialist curling ice, hockey rinks provide less consistent conditions. Their first experience of purpose-built curling ice came in Naseby, where the only dedicated curling facility in the Southern Hemisphere is located. Access to quality ice is seen as essential for improving their skills.

Olympic Ambitions

Supported by grassroots sponsorship, including proceeds from cattle sales by Maynard Cattle Co., the team remains committed to its long-term goal of Olympic qualification. Boondall Iceworld continues to play a key role in their journey as they look ahead to future competitions and Olympic trials.

Published 5-July-2025

Boondall Ice Rink Launchpad for Brisbane Curling Team’s Olympic Dream

Photo Credit: The Curlews/Instagram

A Brisbane curling team has pursued its Olympic ambition after first taking up the sport at Boondall Iceworld, where the group began training on hockey ice.

Initial Steps at Boondall

The Curlews, a curling team formed in Brisbane, began their journey at Boondall Iceworld following a “Come and Try Curling” event. The venue provided an accessible starting point for the group despite relying on hockey ice, which differs significantly from dedicated curling surfaces. Australia currently has no purpose-built curling rink.

Team Members and Shared Goals

The team is composed of Boyd Kildey, Andrew Swain, Matthew Waterhouse, Cormac te Kloot, and Nick Stamatiou. Most are fathers with full-time jobs and have come to curling from diverse personal and professional backgrounds. The team shares the long-term goal of qualifying for the Winter Olympics, although they acknowledge this would require advancing through the national championships and Olympic trials.

Boondall Iceworld — *Photo Credit: The Curlews/Instagram*

Progress from State to National Level

The Curlews made an early impact in the Queensland Curling Association’s President’s Cup, coming back from a six-point deficit to level the grand final at 8–8. With no clear winner on countback, a replay was scheduled.

While they fell short of winning the state title, their showing contributed to their selection to represent Queensland at the 2025 Australian National Curling Championships in Naseby, New Zealand. Notably, two members, Cormac te Kloot and Nick Stamatiou, only met after being selected to join the team.

Challenges of Training Conditions

With no dedicated curling rinks in Australia, teams like the Curlews train on repurposed hockey ice at venues such as Boondall. This setup offers limited preparation time and affects consistency. In contrast, the competition venue in Naseby features the only dedicated curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere, offering vastly improved ice quality for serious play.

Individual Stories Behind the Team

Nick Stamatiou, a physiotherapist, turned to curling after a career-ending football injury, determined to pursue elite-level sport in a new field.

Cormac te Kloot, who works in national produce logistics, recalls receiving a “Most Improved” rugby award in school, with his name misspelled on the trophy. Andrew Swain, a rugby commentator, joined the effort while balancing media commitments.

Boyd Kildey works in commercial leasing, and Matthew Waterhouse manages operations at a Brisbane car dealership while also coaching junior sport.

Local Support for International Goals

Their travel to New Zealand was supported by sponsorship from Maynard Cattle Co., which contributed three cattle to be sold to raise funds. Proceeds from their sale helped cover the team’s travel expenses. This support reflects strong grassroots backing for their campaign.

Outlook for the Curlews

Although the Curlews did not advance to the men’s final at the 2025 national event, they remain committed to the sport. Their efforts continue with an eye on the long-term possibility of Olympic qualification. Boondall Iceworld, where their journey began, remains a key facility for curling development in Queensland.

Published 20-May-2025