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    MEMORIES: Tri State Games team members and support staff at Cobram in 2022. Five Wimmera teams are preparing to take part in the games at Portland next week.

Tri State Games teams ready

Athletes with disabilities from across the Wimmera are preparing to travel to Portland next week to compete at the annual Tri State Games.

The games promote social sports for people with disabilities from Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, with five teams from the Wimmera region set to compete.

Taking part in the week-long games will be members of the Horsham Rockets, Just Better Care Jets, JR Crew, Wimmera Weapons and Horsham Heat.

An opening ceremony will be on Sunday, November 10, with the games running from Monday to Friday.



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Jeff Pekin, a volunteer organiser with the Horsham Rockets for more than a decade, said the team members were excited for this year’s games after missing most of last year.

“I know they’re all very keen for this year because last year in Cobram the whole team got knocked out with COVID-19,” he said.

“Our guys were thoroughly disappointed to miss more than half the games because we were all sick and they couldn’t compete or go to any of the night-time events.

“They were devastated with the outcome last year, so hopefully it’s a better year this year.”

Mr Pekin said the Rockets, like most of the teams at the games, were not supported by agencies or government funding, and relied on community donations to compete at the games.

“It is a really good time for these guys, because a lot of them do not have the ability to go to events like this often. They have financial constraints and they need support,” he said.

“The Horsham Rockets have been funded by the Horsham community for the past 10 years. It’s a credit to the Horsham people and organisations who get us there.

“I’ve had individuals come up to me in the street and offer cash for petrol to get us to Portland or to pay for accommodation.”

Among the organisations supporting the Rockets this year are WIM Resource, Rotary Club of Horsham East, Abbie Wilson Insurance, Horsham Rural City Council and the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly.

Wimmera participants at this year’s games are –

Horsham Rockets: Jason Perkins, Maureen Cameron, Sharon Creasey, Erin Kearns, Michael Clark, Julie Clark, Andrew Lang, Warrick Lang and Tom Leembruggen.

Just Better Care Jets: Matthew Schmidt, Adam Werner, Rachael Werner, Indya Baulch, Maree Crouch, Rachael Pring, Jacqui Trigg and Jack Werner.

Wimmera Weapons: Anthony Arts, Shantelle Morrison, Heather Pipkorn, Tori Phelan, Andrew Kent and Donna Leith.

Horsham Heat: Mark Sommerville, Carly Bird, Chelsea O’Connor, Holly Mee, Jess Sorrell, and Glenn Castleman.

JR Crew: Jaden Dumesny, Amy Benbow, Kim Graham, Renee Castleman-Brizzi, Abby Dumesny-Huf and Toni Niblett.

The entire October 30, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire October, 30, 2024 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!