Pooraka Football Club

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:09): Today, I would like to put a few remarks on the record about the Pooraka Football Club. Pooraka began life as the Abattoirs Football Club, and as they had their centenary in 2015 I presume that means they started in 1915. The original clubrooms and oval were located on grazing land west of Main North Road, and over time the surrounding farmland has developed into the suburbs of Pooraka, Montague Farm and, more recently, Mawson Lakes.

In 1968, the club moved to its current location, purchasing a block of land adjacent to the then cow paddock now known as Lindblom Park, home of the Mighty Bulls. The change of name to Pooraka Football Club soon followed. When the SAFA was formed in 1978, Pooraka became an inaugural member and soon became one of the strongest metropolitan football clubs in both senior and junior football. It completely dominated the SAFA in the latter years of that association, winning six division 1 premierships between 1984 and 1994 as well as many successes in junior football.

Pooraka was the envy of other clubs as a result of its success in junior development, where a number of juniors went on to play VFL/AFL football while many others played in the senior division 1 premiership teams in the decade mentioned above. When SAFA folded in 1996, the club joined the SAAFL and, like many grassroots clubs, has since found it tough going, with limited success since the inception of the AFL and the competition from other sports and recreations that are available to young people and older people today.

It was my pleasure to visit the Pooraka under 12s presentation day not long ago, and I would like to thank Ian for organising Malcolm, Olivia and Jade to welcome me in his absence. After finishing bottom last season, this year they won 14 out of their 15 games to become the 2017 Under 12 Premiers. It was a great occasion and many family and friends came along to watch the ceremony. Samuel Ellis was Best on Ground the day they beat Gaza by less than a goal. Samuel and many other players shared in the special glory of a premiership so early in their playing days, which they no doubt earned by hard work, dedication and training throughout the year.

The Florey Community Service Award was presented to Shaun O'Leary that day, and I am told he is a wonderful coach. His rapport with his young charges was obvious throughout the presentation. He was nominated by other parents involved in running the club, and I am told he is held in high regard and esteemed by all. A big part of Shaun's successful approach has been to ensure that every player is given an opportunity and that his or her efforts are recognised. He often plays players out of their normal position to broaden their experience and hopefully their enjoyment of the game, and as a method of developing their skills and understanding.

This is also a very good way of extending their feeling and sense of inclusion across the team, and for the players and parents as well. Shaun has been very ably supported this year by his assistant coach, Shannon Paulson, and team manager Adam Ellis, as well as the club's coaching and team manager coordinators. The parent group from this team are also very supportive. I would like to quote further from the club's homepage to inform the house of the mission of the Pooraka Junior Football Club which:

…is to again be the club of choice in the local area and to be the envy of all other clubs with its professionalism and commitment to providing junior players and their families the opportunity to be involved in Australian Football in a safe, fun, family orientated and respectful environment.

Our vision is to provide a junior development program based on respect, discipline, fun, skill, fitness, sportsmanship, teamwork and a strong sense of multicultural community spirit both on and off the field.

As they say:

Enjoyment comes from being part of a team and skilful environment and the opportunity to socialise, develop friendships and to feel a sense of belonging.

Lindblom Park is home to many AFL teams and other sports, including cricket and netball, and I would like to put on record some of the other results for 2017. In the Senior A grade, unfortunately they lost their grand final to Glenunga, but as a result of making the grand final they will be prompted to division 4 in 2018. B-grade, also playing in the SAAFL Nine News division 5 reserves, won their grand final against Lockleys, and they will be promoted to division 4 reserves. C grade played in the Schweppes C5 division and finished seventh. In juniors, the under 13s finished sixth, the under 12s (as we mentioned) finished minor premiers before going on to win the grand final, and the under 11s finished sixth.

Senior A-grade cricket is also big on the agenda. Last year, we had some good results. A grade played in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association A1 division and won their grand final against Grange. B grade played in the Adelaide Turf Cricket Association A3 division and won their grand final against Flinders Park, C grade played and won their grand final against Modbury—that is going to prove difficult for me in future, isn't it? D-grade and E-grade are hoping to improve this season.

In the Juniors, Under 13 Red won their grand final against Walkerville, Under 13 Blue won their grand final against Golden Grove, Under-13 Saturdays finished fifth, and the Under-11s finished 11^th in their division. I really look forward to many visits and getting to know people at the Pooraka football and cricket clubs, and wish the cricket and netball players all the very best for their upcoming summer seasons.