community sport Archives - North Lakes Today

North Lakes Mates Swing Into National Indoor Golf Finals

Powered by high-tech simulators, three North Lakes golfers are swinging into Australasia’s largest indoor golf championship in Melbourne.

From Cricket Pitch to Golf Simulator

Three North Lakes friends have earned a place in Australasia’s largest indoor golf championship, representing South East Queensland at the national finals in Melbourne later this month.

Shane Myers, Paul Fraser and Jason Ash first met as cricket teammates before turning to X-Golf, a tech-powered indoor golf competition. Busy schedules, injuries and family commitments made cricket harder to continue, prompting the switch.

Within a year of joining their local X-League, they advanced through seasonal matches to reach the national final. The championship will bring together top teams from across Australia and New Zealand.

A Growing Sporting Trend

The X-League is run across 32 X-Golf venues in Australia and New Zealand, attracting more than 1,000 players annually. Each year features three 10-week seasons where teams compete in nine-hole, handicapped match-play rounds.

Winning teams advance from local venues to state contests before reaching the national championship. The 2025 event will be held at X-Golf Clyde North in Victoria on 30 and 31 August, with nine top teams from across Australasia.

More Than Just Golf

The friends said that while the technology and competition are exciting, it is the social aspect that keeps them coming back. X-League games are far from the quiet traditional golf setting, with friendly banter and laughs throughout the night.

According to X-Golf representatives, the format combines the camaraderie of local team sports with the pace and energy of esports, making golf more accessible to a wider audience.

Technology Meets Accessibility

X-Golf simulators use high-definition cameras, lasers, impact sensors and infrared tracking to capture every shot with accuracy. This blend of technology and sport has helped drive a nine per cent year-on-year increase in golf participation in Australia, according to industry data.

The national growth of X-League also reflects the wider popularity of hybrid sports experiences that merge physical skill with digital tools.

Published 13-August-2025

Petrie to Host Olympic Boxing as $205M Sports Centre Project Kicks Off

Photo Credit: Councillor Sandra Ruck/Facebook

A brand-new indoor sports centre in Petrie is set to host boxing for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, placing the fast-growing Moreton Bay suburb squarely on the international sporting stage.

Construction Timeline and Cost

A $205 million Indoor Sports Centre will be built at The Mill in Petrie, near the University of the Sunshine Coast. Site work begins by June 2025, with major construction completing by 2028 to ensure readiness for the Games.

*Photo Credit: Chris Whiting MP/Facebook*

The project is being funded jointly by the Queensland and federal governments through the $1.87 billion Minor Venues Program, which supports Olympic infrastructure in suburban and regional areas.

Facilities and Features

When finished, the indoor sports centre will feature 12 multi-use courts across two large halls. These will be suitable for basketball, netball, volleyball, futsal, badminton, pickleball and wheelchair rugby. It will also include player change rooms, a café, meeting rooms, and more than 300 car spaces.

During the 2032 Olympic Games, the venue will transform into a boxing arena with a seating capacity of up to 10,000. After the Games, the space will revert to a community facility for local sports, events, and other large-scale activities.

Local Impact and Community Focus

The centre is being developed with the surrounding population in mind. Nearly 700,000 people live within a 30-minute drive of Petrie, and demand for modern indoor sporting venues in the Moreton Bay region has been rising.

Games officials stress the facility is designed for both the Olympics and long-term community use, serving local schools, clubs, and events year-round. It will be fully accessible for people of all abilities.

Sustainability Goals and Broader Legacy

The indoor centre aims for a 6-Star Green Star rating, highlighting its strong focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental performance, making it one of Queensland’s most ambitious Olympic venues.

It forms part of a broader state plan to use the Brisbane 2032 Games as a springboard for long-term benefits, with facilities like the Petrie centre supporting lasting improvements alongside transport and tourism upgrades.

Published 11-May-2025