Hallett Cove Football Club

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Minister for Environment and Water) (15:20): The importance of sport in our community cannot be underestimated. Sport is a great equaliser, creating opportunities for people to learn values, make friends, stay healthy and be part of something that is bigger than themselves. In the southern suburbs, where I am a local MP, sport is a huge part of many people's lives. Whether it is footy, soccer, surf lifesaving, cricket, netball, tennis or countless other sports, our clubs forge a sense of community and strengthen relationships. We need our sporting clubs to grow and we need our clubs to thrive, and all levels of government have a role in supporting this happening.

This brings me to the situation that has unfolded at the Hallett Cove football club in recent weeks. The matter is well documented but, in short, allegations of poor behaviour by a small minority have seen the club's lease terminated by Marion council. This means that the longstanding seniors team, the incredibly successful women's team and the popular juniors teams have all been kicked to the kerb, told to get out with little in the way of an explanation and initially no pathway to recovery.

While I do not condone bad behaviour and believe that allegations of a poor culture and individual indiscretions ought to be carefully examined and dealt with, it is equally important for us to get alongside sporting clubs when they are experiencing challenges and give them the opportunity to recover. If there are individual clubs within a broader sporting precinct that are in dispute, it is the council's role to get alongside that club and provide mediation.

If bad behaviour is identified, it should be the council's role to support and provide the leadership and resources to overcome such challenges. That is why I was so personally disappointed by the City of Marion's decision to terminate the Cobra's lease at their Oval Road clubrooms. This should have been an action of last resort, not a first resort reaction. It has, however, been fantastic to see the way that our community has rallied around the club and to see so many people support one another through this difficult time.

I want to particularly highlight the role of Tony Kernihan, the club president, who has worked hard to find a way forward in the face of these challenging times. I have been part of the Hallett Cove community since I was a teenager, freshly arrived from Scotland, and the strength of community in that part of Adelaide is strong and resilient. In many ways, the area, including Trott Park and Sheidow Park, is like a big country town with the values and attitudes that you would associate with rural life. In our clubs there are generations of the same family playing together or volunteering and the Cove footy club is no different.

Last Tuesday night, at a council meeting it was great to see deputations not only from Tony Kernihan but also from 13-year-old Skye Willcocks and 10-year-old (11 the next day) Tom Gill outlining what this club meant to them and their families. Despite the way that the situation has unfolded, I am hopeful that the council will reverse its decision, giving the club a lifeline, and also outline clear expectations required going forward.

While there have been difficult times at the club lately, I also want to take this opportunity to celebrate the recent achievement of the Hallett Cove football club's women's team, which on 15 September won the Southern Football League women's premiership. It was an incredible result, described as a Cinderella story by some members of the team, coming from the bottom of the ladder to topping the table.

I would like to acknowledge all in the premiership team, including Captain Dana O'Brien, Vice-Captain Renee Ullrich, Jaime Galley, Kate Galley, Lauren Griggs, Sam Franson, Lauren Kenny, Lauren Pattimore, Alesia LeDuff, Felicity Oliver, Breeana Stoldt, Emma Fitzpatrick, Emma Sandor, Alanah Lashmere, Indiana Harrison, Layla Dungey, Lissa Wilcocks, Josie Smith, Kellie Heitman, Sara Sheehan, Jarna Perry, Mikala Graham, Kathryn Wigzell, Poppy Fitzpatrick, Jenna McMahon, Cassie Glynn and, last but not least, Seraphina Moon. I also want to congratulate coach Brett Baldy on the work that he has done to drive the team forward in recent months.

This is a good club and one that must have a future in our community. It is a club that has brought much joy to its members. Tonight, the City of Marion gathers for a special meeting to consider the future of this club. I would ask the council to reflect on the need, its requirement, to provide this club with a future, with support and with the understanding and resources to overcome this short-term hurdle and move towards a vibrant, sustainable future. That is what I intend to do for the Cove Cobras.