The week's Macedon Ranges Guardian Sport Star of the week is 11-year-old Miranda Jones of Kyneton. The grade five Kyneton Primary School student is making giant strides as one of the rising young guns in the sport of basketball. Miranda is an enthusiastic member of the Kyneton Basketball Association. She is an emerging young gun who possesses great speed, agility and a little bit of extra height to give her an edge over her opponents. She plays in a variety of positions and is a great offensive and defensive rebounder. She started playing basketball three years ago and loves any chance that she has to go out and shoot some hoops. She started playing thanks to her dad who played a lot of basketball while growing up and she naturally took the game on through his great love of the sport."She took to it straight away," proud dad Rob said, "she was around very enthusiastic people."Miranda started her basketball journey when her family lived in Northcote. She joined a development program in Collingwood and that gave her the skills to get her going in domestic competitions. Her family moved up to Kyneton two years ago and she slotted in comfortably in the exciting environment of the Kyneton Basketball Association. Last year she played in the Under 12s and Under 14s at domestic level. Basketballers were encouraged to get as much court time as possible to assist them with the confidence and team building to play representative matches. Miranda has had a stellar run in recent seasons. She won the Most Valuable Player award in the Under 12 Girls premiership team that competed in Ballarat over the Queen's Birthday weekend. She was a clear stand-out across the tournament and deserved her award in a very strong team that featured many outstanding stars. She was a valuable member of the team that won the premiership in Traralgon earlier this year. The team is coached by Alan Simmins and has worked wonders for Miranda and the team. The squad was on the receiving end of some heavy losses 12 months ago and they have since grown to be one of the most feared teams in the state. Alan has implemented a terrific defensive game plan that has made them very hard to score against. Miranda has learned lots of valuable tips from him as coach in order to be a better team player and sports person. "He has been a good influence on Miranda," Rob said.Outside her love of basketball, Miranda has played tennis in Kyneton for the last 12 months. She is coached by Marcus Wills who has been terrific in her development of skills as a tennis player. She loves being in the outdoors and has a great group of friends."She is pretty fun, has good character, lots of energy and looks out for people," Rob said.Miranda would love a career in sport but she also has a great love of animals and nature that might encourage her to follow a career path in nature.For being featured as our Macedon Ranges Guardian Sports Star of the week, Miranda wins a $40 gift voucher to Amped Skate n Surf in Kyneton and may call in to our Market Street in Kyneton to collect his prize. If you would like to nominate any youngster doing their best in their chosen sport, contact our sports desk by calling 5422 1488 or email - sport@elliottmidnews.com.auThe award seeks to recognise sporting achievements and is as much as for those just doing their best as it is for those who reach great heights.
WOODEND/HESKET FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB
The Hawks will host a special Ladies Day at the club starting from 11am. Lots of fun and excitement is promised with all proceeds going to the BCNA. The club will host a Ladies Night from 7.30pm at the social club rooms. The cost is $20 per person that includes a free cocktail on arrival, finger food and music. The dress code is cocktail. For more information, contact Jess King on 0423 010 647. Proceeds from the night will go to the BCNA.
KYNETON FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB
This Saturday is the club's annual Pink Day fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Council Australia. Tickets are $25, available at the Kyneton Social Rooms from 12pm. A complimentary drink and food is included, along with live music, raffles, door prizes and a silent auction. This day is about sharing each other's company while raising money for a disease that touches us all and the club would love to see everyone there.
GISBORNE FOOTBALL NETBALL CLUB
The Bulldogs will host their annual Pink Football Netball Day when they take on Kangaroo Flat tomorrow to raise support for BCNA. Local businesses will host stalls throughout the day, selling baby clothes, jewellery, sweets, cosmetics and more. Afternoon tea will be served upstairs in the social rooms from three-quarter-time where the ladies will receive a free glass of champagne punch on entry. All are encouraged to bring a plate to share. It will then be time to party the night away at the Ladies Night. You are most welcome to bring your partners. A major raffle prize is a fantastic toddler's car based on the 1950s Murray Comet Pedal Car. Tickets will be $2 or three for $5.
GISBORNE SOCCER CLUB
The club is hosting Pink Day at Dixon Field this Sunday. The club will join forces with Outfit Health and Fitness for the Mother's Day Classic Run Fun from 8am followed by girls and women's soccer matches starting from 11am. A flower stall will be at the ground on the day and canteen proceeds will go directly to Breast Cancer Network Australia. All donations are welcome on the day. Get down to the club and be part of all the colour and excitement as the club works with the community to raise funds for a great cause.
Craig Dudley
Tylden hit the road last Sunday to face Kilmore at the JJ Clancy Oval in Kilmore. Facing strong windy conditions, the scoring was limited to the north end of the oval with Tylden registering the first goal on the board. Kilmore had the scoring end in the second quarter and started to stretch their legs before Tylden could plug the hole. Tylden again had the scoring end in the third quarter, but despite some gallant efforts failed to convert all opportunities. Tylden's strong defence came in to play during the fourth quarter and limited Kilmore to one goal.
Despite going down by 30 points, Tylden's coach Grant Hills is happy his players are showing improvement all the time.
"It's getting harder to pick the top players of the team as all players are stepping up and showing us what the Tigers are made of," Hills said.
Jacqueline Hanson received the Subway best player award and the All Conditions Driving School Mars Bar awards went to Carlin Arumets-Smith, Lachie Jackson and Justin McKeone, who kicked Tylden's goals.
Tylden faces Rupertswood Gold in Sunbury this Sunday at 12.30pm. All the kids are hoping to give their mums a win as their Mother's Day present. The Tylden Tigers would like to wish all the Tiger mums a very Happy Mother's Day.
