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Jan 14, 2025 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
Close to 30 years ago, a proposal was put forward to build an indoor velodrome on the Lyneham sports footprint, which includes the netball, hockey and tennis centres. My memory of it is vague and there is little in the way of archival evidence, but I remember reporting on it at the time. With the outdoor Narrabundah Velodrome built in 1972 considered outdated and dangerous, the Lyneham option at one stage had momentum, but it disappeared into the ether.
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Jan 10, 2025 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
The Matildas’ incredible run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2023 generated interest in a sport that we have rarely witnessed in this country. It resulted in more young girls and boys than ever wanting to play football. A similar sports tsunami could be heading our way in the wake of the phenomenal interest in the Australia-India test series and huge support for the Big Bash.
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Jan 9, 2025 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
Leo Thompson isn’t the first and probably won’t be the last big-name player to come close to signing with the Raiders only to balk at the 11th hour. Thompson elected to sign with the Bulldogs over the Raiders after informing Newcastle that he was heading elsewhere after the 2025 season. The Raiders had identified Thompson as a replacement for Josh Papali’i in 2026.
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Jan 7, 2025 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
In 2021, the Brumbies went down to the Queensland Reds 19-16 in the Super Rugby AU final at Lang Park. It was an aberration, and regular service was resumed in 2022, 2023 and 2024, with the Brumbies returning as the leading Australian team. That dominance will be under serious threat in 2025 with Rugby Australia controlling the Brumbies and the Waratahs as the governing body of both.
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Jan 4, 2025 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
Canberra’s sports landscape has the potential to change dramatically in the next 12 months. The bid for an A-Leagues licence in Canberra is yet to get over the line despite much talk that it was close to happening. Unfortunately, it has been that way for the past 18 months. Every couple of months, it would seem there is a burst of renewed enthusiasm for the bid, followed by momentum dropping off as quickly as it was gained.
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Jan 2, 2025 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
If the Raiders were looking for inspiration in 2025, they need only look at the final three games played in 2024. With victories over the premiers, the Panthers, along with the Roosters and the Dragons, the Raiders came excruciatingly close to making the finals. In the end, the Raiders’ terrible for-and-against crushed their chances as they finished on the same points at the eighth-placed Newcastle. But there was a silver lining – an indication of their potential.
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Dec 29, 2024 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
When Ainslie Primary School was looking for help to support two scholarships for its violin program 12 years ago, The Tradies club at Dickson was the first group approached. CEO, the late Rob Docker, had no hesitation in providing funding assistance for two young students who would otherwise not have been able to join the program. It was the same when Dickson Swimming Club, Majura Football Club, and any other community sporting or cultural organisation for that matter, came calling.
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Dec 17, 2024 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
With the Raiders, Brumbies and GWS all playing in Canberra on the Anzac weekend next year, it is being viewed as a litmus test: which code is the most popular in the ACT? The Giants take on the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, 26 April, at 7:35 pm. At the same time, the Brumbies face the Hurricanes across town at GIO. The following day at Canberra Stadium, the Raiders take on the Dolphins.
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Dec 12, 2024 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
In 2011, Brendan Jones reached what at the time appeared to be his golfing zenith, reaching a career-high world ranking of 52. His most recent tour victory, coming in 2023, was a win in the New Zealand Open. With 19 professional tour titles to his name, including 15 on the Japanese circuit, Brendan is now on the verge of a golfing renaissance, a second life as a professional golfer. To do this, he needed nerves of steel.
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Dec 10, 2024 | 
the-riotact.com | Tim Gavel
If you ever need evidence of the sudden emergence of pickleball in Canberra, head down to the Pickledome in Fadden. The facility, formerly known as the Empowerdome, has been transformed into 11 permanent pickleball courts operating alongside fellow venue hirers, futsal. The 11 courts operate nearly non-stop to cater for the growth of the sport. In Canberra alone, the growth rate has been 55 per cent in the past year.
