What about the Andrew Johns saga and the Gus “Ray Martin” Gould interview last night?

There will be plenty written about the drug scandal so I won’t bore you with my opinion on should he or shouldn’t he have bared all for what looked like a ratings grab of enormous proportion.

I guess this episode, along with the problems of late in the AFL, has brought home to me that recreational drug use is a huge problem in society and, I would reckon, in all codes of footy and probably sport in general.

Maybe it has changed my opinion of the role model thing, not because league always seems to come out of these things the worst, but more because if we expect professional sports people to be drug tested, why all of us shouldn’t be tested for recreational drugs at work.

Their sport is their job so, if it fits for them, it probably should fit for us.

If parents are looking for role models, maybe we should be looking closer to home?

Island Charity Swim

If you are looking for role models, turn up at Mooloolaba Spit today about 9am and see participants and volunteers in the Island Charity Swim doing their bit for Currimundi and Nambour special schools.

There will be few heroes there – mine, anyway – like Jack Carmine, who has been a great supporter of those two fine schools.

Snipe in a spin

The NRL Snipe seems to be reeling about the equine flu drama if his latest email is any indication.

“Last Saturday was a disaster for punters, with no horse racing on anywhere in the country.

“I had nothing to do, but hang around the house and play with the kids; it was like Christmas Day without the presents!”

And “Not all former league players are out drinking and behaving badly. Former Bulldogs, Broncos and Crushers forward Dallas Donnelly is in Nepal at the moment climbing in the Himalayas.

“Dallas wasn’t the most energetic trainer when he played footy so he probably has got his poor guide carrying his backpack, and there will be plenty in it as he likes a feed.”

Presentation night

In local rugby league, the Maroochy RSL Cup presentation night last night was a chance for officials, sponsors, volunteers and players to catch up before the finals over the next few weeks.

A couple of observations:

Firstly, there was a worthy winner of the Player of the Year in Caloundra Shark Damien Gripske, who is a talented player who has performed consistently in the local competition over a number of years.

The irony of the award was that it is calculated on referee votes and the young fellow has had his moments with the local whistle blowers, although I think most agree that one of his team-mates, who is a little older and a little wiser (so he thinks), uses the young bloke as a conduit for his own opinion about some of the ref’s decisions.

Secondly, the thing that struck me about last night is how lucky the league is to have Billy Moore as the chief executive.

His enthusiasm for the game of rugby league certainly rubs off on those around him and the local league is certainly a better place for him being there.

Impressive young talent

There certainly are some high achievers living on the Coast.

I received an email the other day about a young indoor cricket star, Nathan Shearer.

He has an impressive record in his sport including selection in an honorary under-16 Australian team two years ago and playing in a 3-0 series win for Australia in a Trans-Tasman series.

This year, Nathan has again represented Queensland at the national titles in Sydney in June, gaining back the under-18 title after two years as runners-up.

In addition, Nathan was again selected to represent Australia, this time in the under-19 touring side that will contest the Junior World Cup in Bristol, UK, later this month.

That is all good but the part about Nathan that really impresses me was that he was quoted as saying, if given the opportunity, he would like to thank Caloundra City Council, where he works as a trainee, for supporting him and giving him the time off to pursue his sporting career and Advance Sport for their enormous help and encouragement.

The kid will get on.