Country Sport

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright) (15:02): My question is to the Minister for Recreation and Sport. Minister, can you update the house about the state government's support of the netball Country Championships taking place this long weekend?

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL (Mawson—Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Recreation and Sport, Minister for Racing) (15:02): I thank the member for Wright for the question. Of course, the June long weekend is a very important time of year for sport in South Australia, particularly country sport. The netball Country Championships have been going on for 74 years now. They are now at Priceline Stadium down at Mile End, where the government has put in $650,000 to resurface 26 netball courts. We will be officially opening them as we start the Country Championships on Saturday, and they will go over the whole weekend.

We have 92 teams from 26 associations around South Australia and, as I said, this has been a long-held tradition and one that I have been involved with as a journalist. Back at the ABC, we used to make sure that we went out and covered it each year so that country viewers could actually see their players in action in the Country Championships. I know it is a really important part of the year for netball players from around the state, and we should remember all those wonderful netballers who have been produced in country areas and have come through to play for their state, to play for the Thunderbirds and indeed to play for their country.

Of course, there are lots of footy carnivals on this weekend as well. I will be heading down to Naracoorte for the Mid South Eastern versus Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara interleague game. That should be brilliant. Over at Port Lincoln, they are playing for the Mortlock Shield. Also, the junior competition over there has the Port Adelaide Cup for the underage teams. We wish all those footballers around the state, whichever competition they are in, all the very best for a safe weekend, and one where you join forces with those who are often your rivals from competing clubs within your league.

The Robyn Chaplin Australian fencing titles are on as well, which is another big sporting event on the June long weekend each year. The Frostbite Regatta down at the Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club is on over the long weekend, and there is an orienteering carnival up at Burra, which will have three different events all within 50 kilometres of Burra happening over the—

Mr Pengilly: Don't forget the Mortlock Shield.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: I mentioned the Mortlock Shield a little earlier—

Mr Pengilly: I didn't hear you.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: —you were probably moving around—and the Riverland Paddling Marathon, conducted by the Marathon Canoe Club of South Australia—

Ms Sanderson interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Adelaide is called to order.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: —three-day event runs from Berri to Morgan over the Queen's Birthday long weekend every year in June. As I mentioned, it is very important that we have these competitions going on around our state, and also the fact that there are a lot of people who are not playing means that they can get away and enjoy a long weekend, this one that comes right in the middle of the year.

The Hockey South Australia State Junior Championships are on, where the under 13s, the under 15s and under 18s will all be playing. The grand finals will be held at the State Hockey Centre on Monday. For anyone who is heading out over the long weekend and wants to get out and see some really top-level sport, I suggest you check out online where these events are taking place, and if you are in—

Mr Knoll interjecting:

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Sorry?

Mr Knoll: Just checking online the list of things going on.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Yes, there is no media release. I should think the people of Schubert expect their local member to come in here and ask questions about things that are important to them—things about wine, that's very important to the Barossa Valley, things about tourism.

The SPEAKER: The minister will answer the question.

The Hon. L.W.K. BIGNELL: Thank you very much, sir. As I said, I am a big fan of country sport—and this is great sport going up against the member for Schubert.