Colton Electorate Community Sport

Mr COWDREY (Colton) (15:41): I wish to provide an update on community sport in the electorate. As everyone is now well aware, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions brought some seasons to a halt and prohibited others from starting at all. Just prior to the implementation of restrictions, I had the pleasure of viewing the first women's and men’s double-header for the Fulham United Football Club (the round ball version that is) at the West Beach Parks Football Centre. Both teams took on West Adelaide that night and, despite the westerly blowing in across the ground, it drew arguably one of the biggest crowds Fulham had played in front of at that venue. Unfortunately, it may likely be the last time that may happen this season.

In the midst of the first range of restrictions, the Adelaide Football League was postponed. Unfortunately, it also coincided with and meant that the new facilities at the Lockleys Oval, the new home of the Lockleys Football Club (with the oval ball edition, of course) the West Beach Soccer Club and the West Torrens Baseball Club would be delayed indefinitely.

However, as a proud supporter of the Lockleys Football Club I am happy to report that I attended the Demons first game of 2020. You may like to know, sir, that Lockleys fairly handily disposed of Eastern Park that day in one of the highest scoring affairs I have seen in local football—certainly not a score seen in the AFL, but that is a discussion for another day. It was 23 goals 14 (152) to 8 goals 10 (58), a significant victory on that day.

It was fantastic to see the club utilising the new complex and change rooms. There are still a few management details the council needs to work through with the clubs involved, but nonetheless it is a considerable improvement on the old red brick—and I must say much beloved—former change rooms. It is also worthwhile to note that, as we speak, the Demons sit atop the D5 ladder unbeaten.

Likewise, I am also a proud supporter of the Henley Football Club. I visited the opening home game of the Sharks' season at Shark Park, or Henley Memorial for those of that persuasion, and it was great to see so many familiar faces back at the ground supporting their local club. It is those sorts of interactions that I think many in our community have missed during the course of the pandemic. No matter the quality of the football or the inaccuracy of the goal kicking as it was on that day, seeing community clubs like the Sharks back up and running is something we are all happy to see.

In the same vein, I had the privilege of helping out at the Henley Surf Club recently. The club put the call out for some assistance in tidying up to get ready for the reopening of the surf club restaurant when the relevant restrictions were lifted. The turnout was fantastic. We were all diligent and put to work straight away on that morning. I put my many years of experience on the back of a high-pressure water cleaner to good use—a staple piece of equipment for pool cleaning.

It is this sort of resilience and desire to help out that makes our community sports clubs special, to see so many of the Henley Surf Club members down there helping out, being put to work for the betterment of their local community club. It is these sorts of things and times like this that really help us to appreciate what they deliver for our community. So, if you can, if you are in the position to go and have a meal at the West Beach or the Henley Beach surf clubs or get along to a local sports game, let's do our very best to support our local clubs.

Winter is one of the toughest times our local businesses face in the coastal areas. Whether it is the eateries at Henley Square, the strip shops at West Beach, Glenelg North or at Henley South, the shopping centre at Fulham Gardens or the local shops or takeaways at Kidman Park, Fulham or Lockleys, traditionally the winter period is a hard slog. This year has been tough economically right across our state, but the timing of the easing of restrictions has come at a difficult time for small businesses on the coast. So I encourage our whole community to where you can eat, shop and support our local small businesses so that they can emerge stronger than before.