In a time when everyone is talking doom and gloom economy-wise, football on the Coast seems to be going from strength to strength.

I write enough about local league with both juniors and seniors going strongly and the Sea Eagles seem to be giving it their best shot both on and off the field.

But it would be remiss of me not to mention the vast improvement in rugby’s Sunshine Coast Stingrays this season, which is no surprise considering the pedigree of their coaching staff.

There is also plenty of talk about the local rugby comp and all should be commended on Wednesday’s huge night of rugby.

Then there is AFL, who keep throwing money at the Coast and seem to be reaping the benefits, with a prime example being eight under-12’s making the State team last week.

Soccer makes us proud

Soccer, the original football, made us all proud with Sunshine Coast Fire’s performance this year, but even more so with their win over the Roar.

Their interim coach, George Cowie, is hard enough to understand at the best of times and I could only imagine how excited he was when the ball went in the net for their victory.

Finally, with all those codes going well, why would we need a proper stadium?

Putting his best boots forward

What a great day the Sunshine Coast Eagles and the Kawana Dolphins put on last weekend.

It was an excellent day of footy with a real family atmosphere. Adding to the day was a Masters game in between the matches, which provided plenty of entertainment with some ex-NRL stars strutting their stuff with the local boys.

Not going unnoticed was Eagles CEO Brett Winkler who was sporting some very flash, white boots that looked like something Wendell Sailor would wear.

Although they didn’t have Dell’s step built in, more like Fred Flinstone’s.

Going on the purchase price I would say Brett is planning a few more of these games to get his money’s worth, which judging by the crowd reaction would be a good idea.

Drinks for a good cause

Former NRL star and Coast product Chris Flannery, who is playing in the English Super League, reads thedaily.com.au.

He emailed me the other day when he read about the Tony Proberts fundraiser at Mooloolaba Surf Club and asked me to organise some tickets so he could shout his dad and some of his mates.

The touching thing is that Chris didn’t know Probes, but after reading about the night and that he was doing it a bit tough, he wanted to help in some way.

Tickets are available from the club for $40 which includes drinks and nibbles and Tommy Raudonikis, so give Big Cameron Meninga a ring on 5444 1300.

Wanna marry a Pom

Remember Cal “Chalky” Sipthorp and his UK extended working holiday. Now usually young Chalky injures something quite regularly, either playing rugby league or just walking bout the joint.

Now I say extended working holiday because the British authorities have lost all his papers and his passport so he can’t leave the country to have a holiday or come home because he can’t get back in.

The latest is he is going to be deported in 12 days. Of course the solution is to marry a Pom.

If you are interested in helping out, give him a call on … just kidding.