Sugar Bowl famous defending champions Dallan and Kurtis Gavey have been training to top A Grade once again in their team, the Teabags, and 2023 B Grade champions, Ian Gould’s Golden Aces, competed to defend their title in the A2 Grade for 2024’s event. However, across all divisions, each team was out to take home the legendary Woods Team Spirit Award, named after David Woods, the inaugural captain of the Teaspoons.
Matches kicked off from 8am on Saturday and concluded around 2pm Monday afternoon and in anticipation of the competition, members had been busily tending to their facilities to ensure they’re in first class condition. Numerous working bees were scheduled to prepare the tennis courts across Giru, Home Hill, and Ayr months in advance with fresh coats of paint, and general repairs carried out by volunteers.
The weekend brought over 300 visitors to the region, and the 2024 Sugar Bowl saw a coffee stall stationed at the entrance of the Home Hill Tennis Courts as well as the annually celebrated array of delicious foods including home baked cakes and slices generously donated by members of the community.
After matches concluded on Sunday evening, the community was invited to come along to enjoy dinner and live music with the talents of Tammy Moxom on show from 5pm, and the Teaspoons’ preparations of roast pork rolls on sale along with other tasty treats.
Life members, event sponsors, past and present members, and the Burdekin community attended the competition over the weekend as well as the Monday afternoon presentations to conclude the spectacular weekend. Event organiser, Kate Caswell, believes the event holds a special place in the Burdekin community, with many players participating each year for both the social and competitive appeal.
“Some of the teams that started off as Home Hill teams often have only one or two people in the team who live in Home Hill today but are full of their mates that live all over Queensland,” expressed Kate.
“Some teams are full of siblings, cousins, second cousins and even father and sons or mothers and daughters, and this is what is special about the Sugar Bowl.
“One of my favourite memories was playing in A grade side with daughter Hannah when she was just 12 playing another mother and daughter team Joan Baillie and Lyn Campbell. That special moment has stayed with me for all these years. It was on Saturday afternoon on Court 6 in Ayr.”
The Ayr, Home Hill and Giru Tennis Associations would like to extend their gratitude and warm thanks to all its volunteers, sponsors, and donors for their generous contributions to the 2024 Sugar Bowl.
"The fact that this event has kept on going for 43 year tells me that we have the format right and what's most important is the camaraderie, friendship and sportsmanship," explained Kate.
100-year-old Life Member Karl Rummeny came down to say hi to his former team members and family the Bojack clan Scott, Alec, Byrin and Archie
James Casswell Shoeys and Joel Hanson Duece Bags had a competition within the Sugar Bowl for the Shoe Bags Cup with the Shoeys having a win this year.
Kate and Hannah Caswell with Michael Kern from Col's Crew
Sophie Rickards Ace Ace Babies
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