Northern beaches sports news and views: Inside Back column

The NBVA argues the increasing popularity of the sport requires extra court space, while those using the beach for other activities say eight is enough.

The last time additional courts were added - a few years after the Sydney 2000 Olympics - the old Manly Council did so on the proviso there would be no further increases. The amalgamated Northern Beaches Council overlooked that agreement by further increasing beach volleyball's footprint in recent years, taking up more beach space.

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To be fair, the main gripe seems not to be with the NBVA, which always conducts itself in a professional and co-operative manner, but the number of impromptu "courts" being set-up near the official area.

Council has received more than 500 submissions from locals for or against the proposal to add two permanent courts.

A final decision is expected later this year.

Sunday marks the 100th anniversary of one of the saddest but uplifting stories in Sydney's sporting history - and it unfolded on our very own Manly Oval.

Sydney University front-rower Robert Shute, 23, was accidentally killed when his head hit the ground in a tackle during a representative rugby trial game against Western Suburbs at the Village Green on June 5, 1922.

Unbelievably, the man who made the fatal tackle on Shute shared the same surname but was no relation. Jack Shute, a speedy winger for Western Suburbs, finished the game unaware his namesake was fighting for life in hospital. Days later he was devastated to find out Robert had passed away due to a cerebral haemorrhage. The following year - 1923 - a shield was struck in Shute's honour and awarded to Sydney's premier club rugby side every season since.

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Touchingly, Robert's mother Amy penned a letter to Jack, absolving him of any blame.

She wrote: "My Dear Boy - In the midst of our own sorrow we have so often thought of you, and I just feel I would like to write and tell you that you must not grieve too much over what happened to our darling, it was just an unfortunate accident, and no one was to blame in anyway, and we feel very sorry so much has been said about it for your sake, as everyone says what a good clean player you are, and like our own Bob a true sport. Thanking you very much for your kind sympathy. Believe me. Yours sincerely, Amy Shute."

Jack was not lost to rugby, later becoming Eastwood's first club president.

Members from a number of northern beaches golf clubs are hoping for some relief when it comes to forking out their annual fees following continuous wet weather closures.

Some courses have been closed more than they've been open due to the incessant rain. And when they are open for business, demand for tee times is so great many golfers are missing out on a hit. While the bad weather is unavoidable, players are asking whether there will be some sort of membership discount or refund offered as compensation for lost play.

Australia's breakthrough win over New Zealand at the World Rugby 7s Series in London last weekend had a distinct northern beaches feel to it. Warringah Rats star Ben Marr threw the last pass for the match-winning extra-time try after former Marlins utility back Josh Turner had tapped the ball back from the kick-off. It was Australia's first win over the Kiwis in a 7s final for 20 years and our first tournament win since 2018.

Turner and Marr will be part of the Australian team shooting for the country's first world series title at the season-ending Los Angeles tournament in late August.

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