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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-09-19 Daily Xml
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Grievance Debate

Sporting Organisations

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:09): Over the past few weeks, I have been deeply honoured to attend a number of presentation nights for our state's sporting organisations, and their affiliated clubs, where some of our best South Australian athletes and emerging athletes and the countless volunteers, coaches and clubs who support them have been recognised. Our state's sporting organisations do so much to drive their sport, together with their affiliated clubs, participants and supporters.

Sport is such an important part of community life, and by keeping sporting codes strong we are able to keep our communities strong, connected and inclusive. Sport is a powerful tool for social change, and we on this side of the house understand that it needs to be appropriately funded and supported to ensure that it can thrive and keep bringing all people together in every corner of our state.

The Adelaide Thunderbirds awards night was wonderful. It was inspiring to see women at the top of their game supporting one another and encouraging one another. After a tough season, the night clearly demonstrated the positivity, determination, camaraderie and care that are at the heart of this club. It was absolutely brilliant to see how every player and official supported one another and to see extraordinary athlete and outstanding role model Kate Shimmin become Player of the Year.

It was also brilliant to see the Thunderlumni, who have grown and promoted netball over so many years, and the Southern Force recognised, and to hear an incredible speech from Dan Ryan about what success can look like and the importance of support and loyalty for one another on and off the court. Thank you to CEO, Ben Scales; president, Graham Gilbert; the Netball SA Board, who have equal gender representation in their numbers; Melody Cooper; and all at Netball SA for having me and for the fine work they are doing to support girls and women to play the sport they love and to follow their sporting dreams.

It was also an honour to be asked to present the Best and Fairest Women's Award at the Hockey SA awards night and to join our hockey community to celebrate this much-loved and long-played sport in South Australia. Congratulations to Leah Welstead and Andy Leat, both of the Port Adelaide Hockey Club, on winning the women's and men's Best and Fairest Award respectively, and congratulations to the many other award winners.

Thank you to Hockey SA for including me in your celebration and thank you for the outstanding and enduring positive culture and community you have created through your sport. Thank you also to Peter Churack, CEO of Hockey SA, for welcoming me and for being so incredibly focused on helping more people participate in hockey across our state. It is, of course, a great pity that under this new Liberal government no hockey clubs—no hockey clubs—will now be able to apply to improve facilities to cater for the many girls and women playing this sport, but this is a cut that, together with our community, we will continue to fight to have reversed.

The South Australian volleyball community is also a very strong and connected one. There was a fantastic energy at their awards night two Saturdays ago, as there is at every one of their events, and it was clear that everyone involved has a lot of respect for one another. Craig Watson, Volleyball SA's president, beautifully illustrated the inclusiveness of volleyball. It is the second most popular sport in the world by participation, and it is growing rapidly in Australia for many reasons, including the fact that it is of course fun to play, non-contact, child friendly and can be played in many different places.

In South Australia, we have 27 affiliations/clubs and 220 national federations play across the globe. Volleyball is also one of the sports most advanced in terms of including women, men, boys and girls. Australia does very well in volleyball at both the Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games. We now have a gold medal team and silver medal team as a result of the Commonwealth Games. Chris McHugh, who is South Australian, and partner, Damien Schumann, originally from Victoria, won the gold and Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy won the silver also in 2018.

Australian and South Australian volleyball is strong and growing, and I thank Volleyball SA general manager, Anne-Marie, and her team for their passion and enthusiasm. The awards night was great and it was wonderful to see so many people acknowledged, including Peter Bawhey for Referee of the Year and Stuart Scott for Volunteer of the Year. For any primary or secondary school students who want to give volleyball a go, a free clinic is happening at Glenelg beach on Saturday 13 October. No experience is required and you will be coached by some of our state's best volleyball coaches and players.

Congratulations to everyone recognised for their contribution to their sport, whether through playing, coaching, umpiring or volunteering. Your contribution is invaluable and you can be incredibly proud. Thank you to these and the many other state sporting organisations that have included me in their special celebrations.

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