New directions for Rainbow Beach Sports Club

The Rainbow Beach Sports Club has been under new management now for one year. There’s a new team, new initiatives – even a rodeo!  We talk to General Manager, Nathan Kropp (Kroppy) who tells us there are more exciting things to come.

It’s been 12 months since Kroppy has taken over from Rick Modin as General Manager, who  continues his support for the club whilst on long-service leave.

Angela McGrath is assistant manager, “Neilo” is still head chef, and they welcome Chef Madison Head, who worked for Kroppy at Woodgate. The restaurant has two apprentices and four chefs! The club employs almost 30 people in this town.

A committee guides the functioning of the club, Kroppy said, “Ronnie Mason has been sworn back in as president, Paul Arthur is vice president, Darryl Fitzgerald is the treasurer/secretary taking over after Leeroy Jones, who on retirement from the force has also stepped down from this role in the club, after 16 years of service!

“Howard Stokes has kindly taken on the patron role from Ruth Modin – her service to the club is endless!” Kroppy stated. “Then on the committee is Greg Pearce, Marnie Kropp, Graham Hull and Kosta Ladas.”

It’s ‘sink or swim’ with the gym and pool   

Bec Arthur has just been appointed as the new personal trainer at the Gym, and Damian Lunney joins BJ Parton at the Aquatic Centre.

“Our aim is to bring the two services together. If you are a member of the gym, you have access to the pool. Bec’s gym classes will soon integrate with BJ’s at the Aquatic Centre.”

Kroppy explained how Rainbow Beach operates differently to most public pools in the region, it is not Council run, and it is heated, so is open all year.

“It costs $300,000 plus to have the pool and the gym operating. People need to engage and start using it. It really is ‘sink or swim’!”  

Kroppy knows the potential is there for it be a hub for the community. They are working hard to reduce any barriers for locals – including direct access to the pool when it is opened, a range of  morning and evening classes, and the welcome addition of air conditioning, which they want installed by Christmas.

“From our side, we’ve got to give people the service. When we offered ten classes each week, the gym grew.

“Classes have now increased (see the timetable on the Club page) – with different times and options for everyone. You’ll be able to finish your session with a swim!

“The gym hours will be pool hours for casual visitors – Monday to Friday 6.30-11am, Monday to Thursday 3-6pm, and Saturdays 9am-2pm. Sundays are beach days for our team. The gym will still be operational for members 24/7.”

Friday afternoon mixed bowls

Col Mills is the new games co-ordinator, and has had long involvement with the club.

Col has lived in Rainbow Beach since 1976, when he remembers there was only a bowling green and toilet block. He thinks it is at least eight years since social bowls has been played, and he’s happy to see it back.

“We’ll try to get more members involved, and encourage people to come and play. Our new manager is going to persist in every way possible to the get the bowls up and running again,” said Col.

“We’ll start with once a week. Anyone is most welcome – visitors, women. No skill is needed. My grandson is playing here with his grandmother – it’s his first go.

“We can organise coaching, too. Older bowlers will come down and give a hand,” Col promised.

The Lawn Bowls Pairs Roll-up is on every Friday afternoon at 1pm, at $10 per person. This is not barefoot bowls, so not for kids. Contact Stevie Hebberd 0423 336 411 for more information.

Friday night entertainment

Did you know the Double Draw Rainbow Lotto is up to $2700 as we wrote this? Also worth coming to Friday nights at the Sports Club, is that entertainment is back. Kroppy is keen to keep the locals satisfied with a great line-up of artists, too.

Bull and Bronc Spectacular

“There’s myself, Shane Handy from the Rainbow Beach Surf Club and Andrew McCarthy from Rainbow Beach Horse Rides – we three parties got together to present the Bull and Bronc Spectacular on April 27,” said Kroppy.

There will be a full night of rodeo action – a part of the The National Rodeo Association and Xtreme Rodeo Events calendar series, he says thanks to Andrew and Zak McCarthy’s involvement in the sport.

Kroppy was so impressed how the two clubs worked together at the Country at the Beach, with surf club volunteers at the bar and the Surf Club benefitting.

“People are volunteering already – with toilet brushes ready! Andrew will organise the rodeo, Shane the bar and I will oversee the whole event.” (By that he means his partner Marnie, too!)

“All events will be in the centre block now – Council is being very supportive,” and no wonder – Kroppy has all events self funded, with all profits funnelled back into the community.

Tickets now available for the Rainbow Beach Bull and Bronc Spectacular held April 27, with gates open from 3pm. There’s live music, food stalls, bar and the action starts at 5pm.

You won’t want to miss the after party at the Rainbow Beach Sports Club – after blowing us away at the Country to Beach, Travis Collins is back with a ticketed event!

Hot Rod and Rockabilly Rumble

“The Rockabilly event is moving to the centre block – it’s growing,” smiled Kroppy. “We hope to double in size this year! And we’ve got an interesting chopper coming….”

The third annual event is on May 5, expect classic cars, motorbikes, hot rods, low-brow fashion and clothing, rockabilly pin up pageant, rock’n’roll dancers, bar and food stalls. Gates open from 10am with entry $5, 16 and under are free. Live music includes the Bowery Boys from 11am, B Daddy and the Double D’s from 7.30pm.

And more

Then there is the Fishing Classic with $100,000 in prizes, giveaways and promotions, to write in your calendar – July 19-27. They want to resurrect the club as a wedding venue and bring more corporate 1- or 3-day functions. Kroppy says if he adds more major events Marnie will strangle him!

Find out more about events at the Sports Club http://www.rainbowsportsclub.com.au/ or call 07 5486 3191.