Boggabri hosts national ninja games qualifier

GALLERY HERE: National qualifier event in pictures

The Australian Ninja Games National Qualifier event for youth and adults was held at the Boggy Ninja Academy on Saturday, October 15.

Over a brief period, the Boggy Ninja Academy has built an amazing reputation of excellence to the level that national level qualifier events can be held right here in the Narrabri Shire in the ‘Little Town with a Big Heart’.

Prior to the competition opening, Cruze Morley aka the Boggy Ninja presented certificates of appreciation to sponsors.

Cruze said, “I am very appreciative of all the support that I have received. The sponsors have enabled me to take it to the next level and here we are hosting national qualifying events.”

Competitors came from far reaching places such as Sydney, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Victoria, Central Coast, Coonabarabran and Canberra.

Overseeing the proceedings was the referee, Sheri Thomson. Sheri is vice president of Australia Ninja Games and travelled from Sydney.

When asked about the Boggy Ninja Academy she said, “I like to see the locals involved. It’s great to see it spreading into the rural areas as there are not a lot of gyms like this one.”

She went on to say that it is challenging not knowing the course, however, the competitors are allowed three fails before having to exit the obstacle, and there is also a time limit for the whole of the course.

Forty-four competitors ranging in age from seven and under up to masters tackled the 12 obstacles standing in their way to qualify for the National Ninja Games in Brisbane in January 2023.

Seven-year-old Alex, aka Xander Keeffe attends Narrabri West Public School and travels to Boggabri to attend the Boggabri Ninja Academy.

Xander had already qualified prior to the Saturday to attend nationals so he practised his skills and supported his sister eight-year-old Ella in her quest to attend nationals.

When asked what the siblings like about ninja, they both said just having fun.

Mum showed us on Facebook and we wanted to have a go at the swings.

Other Narrabri representatives polishing their skills were brothers Luke and Riley Longworth.

Both lads had already qualified, however, they pitted their skills against two other amateur males with Luke, 16 years, winning first place and Riley who will be 18 soon, third in their category.

Luke says he loves meeting new people and making friends while pitting himself against the various obstacles. Riley prefers the fly wheels and floating shelf.

Narrabri will also be represented at nationals by 13-year-old Josh Rankin.

Josh has been training with Cruze for about six months. Josh had previously qualified but Saturday was the first time in competition that he made it up the warped wall.

Josh said, “I have made it to the top in training but there is more pressure, a time limit, and you are tired by the end of the course in competition and I haven’t made it to the top before.”

Lenny Jansz and his father Mark made the journey to Boggabri from Warrnambool, Victoria.

Lenny is a keen ninja. They were unable to get to the qualifying competition in Victoria so Mark made a massive effort to get Lenny to Boggabri.

They left home at 10am on Friday, had to detour around several flooded roads to arrive at Melbourne airport.

After a flight from Melbourne to Newcastle, renting a car and driving to Boggabri, they arrived at 10.30pm Friday night.

Much to the delight of Lenny and his dad, Lenny won his seven and under division with 11 points in 4.07.92 with Xander Keeffe 10 points, 3.59.94 in second place.

Immediately after the presentation, Lenny and Mark headed back to Newcastle to catch a 5.20pm flight back to Melbourne and then home to Warrnambool.

The next big trip for the pair will be Brisbane for nationals in January.

The male nine and under group was hotly contested with first and second place both scoring 11 points with Micah Hobbs slightly faster in 3.51.13 and Jesse Rigby in a time of 4.14.30. Third and fourth places also tied on six points with Thomas Eather fastest on 3.34.62 and Johno Wilson 3.45.67.

Obstacle Course Racing School from Gosford brought 12 competitors. Michael Gleeson was supportive of the course saying, “I thought it was a bit tough for the under sevens but the rest was good, a good challenge for everyone.”

Michael took out the male masters with 18 points in a time of 3.14.55.