ADELAIDE PLAINS SPORTING COMMUNITY

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:40): I rise today to highlight the sporting community of the Adelaide Plains, and particularly those who participate and administer the traditional winter codes. I would like to make a special reference to the centenary of the Adelaide Plains Football League, which was celebrated this season. That body first commenced in 1909 as the Adelaide Plains Football Association. While my involvement is significantly less than that, I did first play a game of football in that league in 1971 at Hoyleton Oval, which has long since gone from the football venues. However, I have continued an interest and an involvement with that league as a patron and trophy donor over a long period of time.

The Adelaide Plains Football League also has a very strong relationship with the Adelaide Plains Netball Association. Games are played at the same venues every week, and the clubs in those two organisations are Balaklava, Hamley Bridge, Hummocks Watchman Eagles, Mallala, United (which is based around Long Plains and surrounding communities), Two Wells and Virginia. These two organisations are significant examples of the strong role of sport in country communities and in the development of the leaders of those communities.

It was fitting that on 19 September the 2009 grand finals for both competitions were played at the Long Plains Recreation Ground. The significance of that ground is that probably in days gone by many ovals around Australia would have been situated out in the middle of nowhere on the junction of some unsealed roads, and Long Plains is just that—with a very small amount of bitumen in the little township, but all the roads leading to that oval are unsealed. It is a unique but very Australian venue.

More than 5,000 people attended that venue on the day, and there was an excellent atmosphere. Congratulations to Mallala for winning its second A Grade Premiership in three years and to the Two Wells A1 netballers for their third flag in succession. My congratulations to all other winning sides in both sports. A special booklet detailing the history of community sport on the Adelaide Plains—and winter sport, I should say—was distributed at the joint medal count function at Two Wells a week earlier.

I particularly want to congratulate all those people involved in both bodies, particularly Mr Brad Busch, the President, and Heather Curnow, the Secretary of the Adelaide Plains Football League, as well as Yolanda Cannizzaro, the President and Tanya Kent, the Secretary of the Adelaide Plains Netball Association. Certainly in regard to the football league they are backed up by the Vice-President, Mr Rocco Musolino, and the directors, Andy Seccafien, Des O'Halloran, Colin Jenner and Greg Tucker.

For the Adelaide Plains Netball Association, Josie McArdle, Jenni Hosking, Judi Frost, Kelly Buckby and Heather Curnow provide particular back-up to that organisation. The medal count this year to which I referred earlier was a great example of the professional way in which these organisations are run. As I say, it was a joint event. The two guest speakers on the night were Essendon coaching legend Kevin Sheedy and international netballer Jenny Borlase who, of course, has an Eyre Peninsula background and who spoke in great detail about her experiences coming from a country community to go on and represent her country.

Time expired.