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- 16 November 2006
Netball New South Wales Awards
Sydney Schoolgirls Breakfast with the Stars
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The Hon. CATHERINE CUSACK [8.10 p.m.]: It was a great honour and pleasure to be invited to attend the Netball New South Wales Awards held at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday 4 November. Netball is a game that virtually every Australian girl or woman plays. At an official level it is Australia's largest organised sport, with 300,000 registered players nationally and 110,000 registered players in New South Wales. Of course, hundreds of thousands more are playing netball at school and in social competitions. It is clear the future of netball is in very good stead, with positive and visionary leadership of National President Noeleen Dix, who is a Victorian with strong New South Wales credentials, New South Wales President Wendy Archer, and General Manager of Netball New South Wales Carolyn Campbell.
My colleague the member for Willoughby and I were made to feel very welcome at the event, and it was in every sense a gala celebration of a wonderful year as well as a tribute to all generations participating at all levels of the sport. I was thrilled to meet the former Captain of the Australian Netball team, the legendary Anne Sargent, who was at the peak of her playing career when I was playing for my school. Anne has of course been the face of Netball on ABC broadcasts. I had not appreciated how involved she continues to be in supporting netball, particularly as a role model for younger players, who referred to her with great affection and appreciation. The awards ceremonies featured the following:
Hall of Fame Inductees: Margaret Corbett and Terese Kennedy.
The Anne Clark Service Award: Cathy Aird, Baulkham Hills; Val Brunker, Kiama; Beverley Dew, Manly; Kay Smith, Lower Clarence; and Rhonda Swindale, Ulladulla.
Marilyn Melhuish CBT Player of the Year: Liz Ellis.
Judy Dunbar Media Award: Amanda Lulham, Daily Telegraph.
Neita Matthews Umpires Encouragement Award: Rachel Hughes, Bathurst.
Margaret Corbett State League Coach of the Year Award: Moira Gaha, St George.
Nance Kenny Medal-State League Player of the Year Award: Katie Walker, Manly; and Applee Kannengiesser, Penrith.
It has been a remarkable year for New South Wales Netball. In September the Sydney TAB Swifts Netball Team made history by winning the Commonwealth Bank Trophy Grand Final after finishing the season as undefeated minor premiers In October Australia defeated the world champions, the New Zealand Silver Ferns, on their home ground. Australia clinched the Fisher and Paykel Cup in a thrilling 40-46 third test decider. The Australian Team has our best wishes for what will be another epic campaign for the World Championships in Fiji next year. I have already mentioned Liz Ellis, the Australian and Sydney TAB Swifts captain, who was honoured at the New South Wales Netball dinner as "Player of the Year".
Last Monday Liz was awarded the National Commonwealth Bank Trophy Most Valued Player award, the highest honour that can be given to an Australian netball player. I congratulate and thank Netball New South Wales for all they do to develop outstanding young women and keep Australia at the forefront of the world in this important sport. I believe it is vital that the State Government provide assistance to Netball New South Wales to enable it to achieve its vision for a world class Sydney netball headquarters at Blacktown. We need to conquer the sponsorship issue and I believe a very good beginning can be made by following through the recommendations of the Senate Inquiry into Women's Sport.
On Friday 3 November I attended the annual Womensport Sydney Schoolgirls Breakfast with the Stars at Sydney Olympic Sports Centre. Over 800 elite schoolgirls attended and celebrated the achievements and future of women's sport. Included on the program was a display of rhythmic gymnastics by students of the Sydney Academy of Sport that was simply breathtaking. Other events included Salsa dancing and a panel discussion featuring Kerri Pottharst, our Sydney Olympic Volleyball Gold Medallist; the inspirational Louise Sauvage, who won two gold medals, a demonstration event gold medal and a silver medal at the Sydney Paralympics, and her fellow Paralympian Gold Medallist Amy Winters.
In total there were 43 women sports stars, including representatives from our world champion Opals Basketball team; netball, cycling, rowing and weightlifting—showing that all sports are for women. I congratulate the organisers of Womensport New South Wales, who, under the energetic leadership of President Imke Fischer, achieve an enormous amount by bringing together the different sports and actively promoting the opportunities and needs of women's sport at all levels. Imke and I had the opportunity to discuss the research that shows how powerful the effect of role models are in inspiring and motivating women to become involved in sport. With a virtual epidemic of eating disorders ranging from anorexia to obesity, we have simply got to do more to support those whose leadership will inspire younger generations to make sport a part of their lives.
I am concerned at the meagre resources with which so much is being achieved. Womensport as a peak leadership organisation for girls simply must be supported to a professional level that reflects its importance and standing. It is not good enough that it virtually exists on charity and the goodwill of volunteers. Indeed it is an embarrassment. I thank all those with the vision and wit to sponsor women's sport. The benefit to the individual is life-changing. The benefit to the nation is immense. This is a major area of focus for the Coalition and I look forward to working with Womensport New South Wales to the benefit of our girls and sport.
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