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Mr McBRIDE (The Entrance) [5.16 p.m.]: On Saturday 7 April the new $360,000 clubhouse for the Wyong District Netball Association at Baker Park, Wyong, will be opened by the association founder, Carole Field, on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the association. This occasion is another triumph for Wyong District Netball Association, which for 40 years has provided quality sport and facilities for young girls and women in the shire. Wyong District Netball Association is one of the best run sporting associations on the Central Coast, if not in the whole of the State. Over the last 40 years the association has been responsible for the funding and construction of 21 all-weather courts and the old clubhouse. The association hopes to increase the number of courts to 30, so that it meets the requirements to bid for an all-age championship, with a final number of 32 courts. The association also has plans for a show court near the new clubhouse in the future.
Over the past 40 years the association has overcome fire, flood, vandalism, theft and slow-footed government bodies, in particular local government. The association has achieved, through its own fundraising, hard work, commitment and the dedication of its army of volunteers over the last 40 years a user-pays facility valued at more than $1.5 million. The association is operationally totally self-funding and has raised the funds for almost all capital works, with the exception of a contribution made by the Department of Sport and Recreation of $76,000 for the present club and some $15,000 in the past—that is, a contribution of about $90,000 for a facility that is worth $1.5 million.
More than 7,000 people, including more than 2,000 players, use these facilities every Saturday during the competition season, and the courts are in use every day of the week from February to September. The association is, and has always been, run entirely by volunteers. As I said, the establishment of the new clubhouse cost $360,000, of which $76,000 was funded by the Department of Sport and Recreation. Club members also go out to schools and into the wider community, running free clinics and providing facilities and equipment free of charge for schools, special schools, people with disabilities and other interested groups.
Wyong District Netball Association is a fabulous, successful example of the community spirit and sense of family that are a hallmark of the Central Coast. Saturday at Baker Park is like a village market day. Colourfully dressed players are everywhere, supported by coaches, umpires, family, guardians, carers, mums and dads, and many children. The games on Saturday are run like a Swiss clock. Players must meet dress code standards, the rules are both enforced and obeyed, and competition is fierce, but the game is always played in the best possible spirit. The year 1961 saw the introduction of netball competition in Wyong and the start of a rich history. Two rounds were held, then semifinals and finals. The inaugural premiers were the Emeralds.
Other teams were Magpies, Checkmates and Tanettes. The association's facilities have been developed from two grass courts and a kitchen table with a cowbell. Along with increasing membership, the players improved to such a high standard that from 1974 Wyong regularly provided members for State and Metropolitan North representative teams. The Murray sisters, Liane, Melinda and Michelle, are the association's most prolific representatives. Michelle, the association's only Australian player to date, will unveil the official plaque on Saturday. In 1988 the association won its first age championships with its under 12s representative team. The team was coached by Lana Turner, who is a former Wyong junior representative player. A further three State championships were won in 1999 and 2000, which is an enviable record for what is basically a small country association.
Those achievements have all been made possible by the generous support of the district's dedicated and hardworking volunteers in capacities such as committee members, coaches, umpires, players, supporters and sponsors. I congratulate all the officials, all the office-bearers, all volunteers and all the supporters who have contributed over the past 40 years to the success of the teams. I especially mention some of the families who have been involved over the years, including the Field family, the Harrisons, the Carrolls, the Earlys, the Beasleys, the Smiths, which is a large family within Wyong—in fact there are two large Smith families in Wyong—the Dobells, the Ungers, the Murrays and other famous families within the Wyong area.
In conclusion, I also especially mention the current secretary, Chris Miles, who has been an office-bearer for 23 years. Chris has an outstanding history in netball. She holds just about every licence, award or coaching certificate that is available. She has also coached representative teams and has acted as a representative co-ordinator. She also has assisted and encouraged young players over her 23 years as an administrator. She is an outstanding woman. She has made an enormous contribution to society. I congratulate her on behalf of all people who live in the Wyong area, and also on behalf of other women.