Athletes pay tribute to club stalwart

Early-morning athletes sweated it out to win the fifth annual Swampathalon in Broome last Sunday.

The local triathlon, consisting of a 1km run, 5km cycle and 100m swim, is the traditional season opener organised by the Broome Pearlers masters football team in honour of past member Holly “Mrs Swampy” Hinkley. Participants were tasked with jogging around Broome Prison, cycling out to Broome Speedway and plunging into the pool at Broome Caravan Park.

An added challenge was to avoid flour being thrown at cyclists by club member David Jones.

BPM secretary Duncan Thorn said it was good to see team members taking part in the community event.

“It is the traditional season opener for the Broome Pearlers Masters AFL team,” he said.

“(It was) named after Holly ‘Mrs Swampy’ Hinkley, who sadly passed away three years ago. Holly was the Pearlers’ first and probably only supporter.”

Christian Joder, wearing a leopard-print dress, and Darcy Thorn successfully made a break for the finish line during the race to take out first male over 35 years and first male under 35 years respectively while Anna Thorn was the first female under 35 years over the line.

“The Pearlers will have a training run at Gantheaume Point at 9am this Saturday, followed by a barbecue breakfast,” Duncan Thorn said. “It will involve some very gentle drills with footballs for a very short time — new players, families and friends are welcome to attend. “Training will be at Tuesdays 5pm at Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre. Our fixture is yet to be finalised.

“We will play in the Derby Prison versus the prisoners, at One Arm Point against Bardi Sharks, Karratha in the North West Carnival, hopefully at Bidyadanga and a couple of intra-club fixtures.”