Page 64 - Tropic Magazine Issue 29

TROPIC • SPORT

Kicking goals Fight like a

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Geyl
Former Cairns publicist Rose Calvert has made the move south
to play and coach in the National Premier Leagues Women’s MARTIAL ARTS
(NPLW) competition in a bid to pick up new coaching skills and Turns out Far North
certifications ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Queensland is home to one

of Australia’s best female
Rose signed with The Gap Football Club Muay Thai fighters.
in Brisbane to play for the first grade side
and is assistant coach of the U16 NPLW.
“Playing at a higher level is something I’ve Jessie ‘The Real’ Geyl has recently
dreamt of doing but never really pursued, won the World Kickboxing
but with everything that went on last year, Federation (WKBF) Australian Title
I thought I’d take a leap of faith, quit my after dominating five
full-time job and go for it,” she said. epic rounds.
“It’s been a rewarding challenge adjusting She also took home the Junior
to the pace and the weekly strength and Middleweight Queensland title last
conditioning sessions, as well as learning November, making Jessie the only
from some amazing coaches. I couldn’t be female Muay Thai fighter in North
happier right now.” “There’s a distinct lack of women in Queensland with a belt.
Rose studied at California State University coaching and decision-making roles in Her achievements come on the
on a soccer scholarship and later co- the game presently, despite the success back of just three years’ training
coached Edge Hill United to a smashing of the women’s game in Australia, and I with Paul Hosking, Head Coach
success in the 2019 FNQ Premier want to be involved in helping turn that at Fusion Fight and Fitness in
League Grand Final. The midfielder around,” she said. Stratford. Jessie is also a sports and
was also recently appointed to Football The FIFA Women’s World Cup will be remedial masseuse, an artist, and
Queensland’s Women’s Working Group held in Australia and New Zealand for the mother of two boys.
which will be chaired by former Matilda first time ever in 2023 – a major coup for
Amy Chapman to grow, promote and the country’s future of women’s football.
develop women and girls’ football across Brisbane is in the running to be one the
Queensland at all levels. cup’s host cities.

Cycling spectacular
Who’s gearing up to cycle (or spectate) at the Gran Fondo Festival?
The three-day cycling event in Port Douglas, scheduled for September 10-12
this year, includes three cycling distances – 46km, 100km and 160km – as
well as a short circuit for families around the Crystalbrook Superyacht
Marina and a mountain bike event along the Wangetti Trail.
There’ll also be live music and a range of activities for the
3,500 travellers expected to stay in the region for the event.

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64 • Tropic • Issue 29