The Frankston Dolphins and Peninsula Waves Netball Club have raised almost $200 for Frankston charity 'City Life' during an exhibition beach volleyball game at the recent Victorian Beach Volleyball Championships, held at the Frankston Waterfront.

The money was raised thanks to support from Bolle and Core Health Club - and the crowd in attendance on the night.

Olympic beach volleyballer Tamsin Barnett teamed up with Waves players Holly Hood, Sarah Anderson and Brooke Lethbridge to take on Dolphins Toby Conroy, Trent Shinners & Paul Kennedy and Olympic volleyballer Luke Campbell, with the game an absolute thriller.

The Waves wiped the floor in December’s netball night between the two clubs and the Dolphins were keen to regain some pride on the sand. With a crowd of over 300 people watching, players from both sides had to take a very public crash course in volleyball skills!

The Dolphins shot out to an early lead, but the Waves responded with a run of five straight points to tie the score at 14-14 as the contest drew to a close. With the crowd firmly on the girls’ side they seemed poised to repeat their netball triumph, but fortunately for male pride the Dolphins snuck the next two points to claim a 16-14 victory!

Dolphin Paul Kennedy said: “That was great fun. There was a big crowd there and we were more nervous than before a football game! Luckily we got the win, because we would have heard about it all year from the Waves girls if they beat us at netball and volleyball!

“Thanks also to Core, Bolle and everyone who helped raise the money for City Life.”

City Life help severely disadvantage people in the region, and further donations can be made by phoning 9770 0660, or dropping into the City Life centre in Clyde Mall, Frankston.

The netball and beach volleyball charity events are part of the Dolphins community program – Out and About with the Dolphins – and anyone wishing to involve their organisation or community group should ring Tina on 9783 7888.

Frankston Football Club President John Barry and Shelley Haynes, Manager of the Peninsula Waves Netball Club, have presented Frankston Hospital with cheques totalling more than $1000.

The money was raised at a charity netball night between the two clubs at Jubilee Park on Saturday, 13 December 2008, and will be put towards a new portable ultrasound machine for the hospital’s Emergency Department. 

More than 200 people attended to see the light-hearted battle of the sexes, and the Waves girls showed their class, easily taking out the first three games, including the coaches’ game featuring former AFL legends Brett Lovett and Shannon Grant.

Thanks largely to a ferocious haka before the game, and some timely – and expensive - bribing of scoring officials, the Dolphins senior side managed to secure a 40-40 draw with the Waves VNL Championship team in the final contest of the night.

Shelley Haynes said it was a most entertaining night, and looks forward to it becoming an annual event. “Three-point goals, umpire bribing, shaking goal posts, a haka and mid-game champagne stops made sure the night was full of laughs,” she said. “I look forward to doing this, and other fundraising events, with the Dolphins next year.”

The Waves and Dolphins next get together to raise money for charity at the Frankston round of the Victorian Beach Volleyball Championships, which is being held at the Frankston Waterfront on 17-18 January. Details of the charity will be announced closer to the event.

Dolphins Operations Manager Bryan Mace, who injured his hip during the coaches’ game, is recovering well after surgery and is back at work around the club.

As part of the ‘Out and about with the Dolphins’ community program, four Dolphins players headed to Rowellyn Park Auskick on Saturday morning to join in the fun with the local youngsters. Rowellyn Park last year raised over $10,000 for Dylan Hartung, a nine year-old Carrum Downs boy who suffers from Neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer.

As treatment is not available in Australia, Dylan and his family have to travel to the USA, and rely on the generosity of others to cover expenses and keep Dylan alive. If you would like to help out, phone Steve Lloyd on 0414 396 345.

In the week beginning 14 July, the Dolphins players will be heading back to their local junior clubs and Auskicks to join in training. If your club or Auskick would like to be involved, phone Tina on 9783 7888.

As part of the Out and About with the Dolphins community program, the Dolphin boys were up well before the sun last Tuesday to help the City's Meals on Wheels service. The service prepares and delivers between 300-350 meals each day, relying mostly on the work of volunteers. During the colder months each year, volunteer ranks thin noticeably, and the service urgently requires new volunteers to ensure all meals are delivered each day.
 
If you can spare a few hours per week - or even more - to prepare or deliver meals, phone Rachel on 9768 1624. As an added incentive, the Dolphins are donating home-game memberships for new volunteers who commit for the winter period.

Photo's -: Dolphins Captain Shaun Pollard and player Luke Collins / Shaun Pollard "King of the Stir Fry"

As part of the Out and About with the Dolphins community program, the Dolphins boys took members of the “Stepping Out” program on a bowling night at Strike Bowling.

Stepping Out is a  recreation and respite program for adults with mild mental disabilities.

If you know someone who would like to take part in the program, or volunteer to help out, phone Jan on 9784 1625.

As part of the 'Out and about with the Dolphins' community program, the Dolphins boys hosted a clinic for newly arrived children from South Sudan, organised with the New Hope Migrant and Refugee Centre.

Byron Barry, Peder Whelan, Khalid Foggi, Mitch Bosward, Paul Kennedy and Dave Comben took the kids (and adults!) through a range of footy activities.

New Hope assists newly arrived refugee families in Frankston and surrounds, and desperately require pre-loved clothing for babies and children. Warm winter clothing is particularly needed as most families have never experienced winter before. They also have a shortage of brand new "socks and jocks" for newly arrived children. If you can help out in this area please phone Jana on 8781 5911.