Ms SONIA HORNERY (Wallsend—Parliamentary Secretary) [6.20 p.m.]: May I speak about one of New South Wales' true sporting success stories—a story of humble beginnings, talented and interesting characters, hard work and amazing success, with more to come? It has been an extraordinary journey of 125 years for Northern New South Wales Football. Did you know that Northern New South Wales Football is Australia's third largest football association, with over 50,000 registered players, 240 clubs and over 3,300 teams? It was originally called the Northern District British Football Association and South Maitland British Football Association.

Formed in 1884, the Minmi Rangers honour us as the first official club in the area, followed closely by Hamilton Athletic, which in 1885 became Lambton Thistles. Over 2,000 people witnessed Newcastle's defeat by two goals to one at the first representative match between Newcastle and Sydney on the Queen's Birthday 1886. It had gate takings of 51 pounds, which was a very tidy sum in the 1880s. Northern New South Wales Football boasted two representatives in 1922 in the first Australian national team to tour New Zealand. They were locals: Peter Doyle from the Adamstown Rose Buds Club and William 'Podge' Maunder from West Wallsend. Although Australia was defeated 3 to 1, Maunder went down in the history books as the scorer of Australia's first international goal. Now that is something for the history books!

In the second of the three-match series in Brisbane the following year, Cessnock's Perce Lennard scored the first international goal for the country on Australian soil. It is an amazing record, I am sure members would agree, because players from Northern New South Wales scored the first goals, home and away, for Australia. Through this period Northern New South Wales players continued to provide strong representation for the national team, reaching a crescendo in 1927 in a one-all draw against China at Hobart Park, New Lambton. Cheryl Salisbury, a talented protégé of local soccer, who I have paid tribute to before in this House, holds the record for most internationals, male or female, representing her country 151 times.

To date Northern has produced 98 Socceroos and 27 Matildas. The entry of women to football has reinvigorated our interest in this special sport. The talent of female footballers was highlighted in the W-League Jets matches I enjoyed attending at Wanderer's oval at Broadmeadow last season, and I look forward to viewing their success this season. I had a lot of fun recently watching a very well-organised and highly popular small-sided gala hosted by Jesmond Football Club. Innovations such as the safe, healthy and fair small-sided games encourage younger players.

I acknowledge Northern New South Wales historians Sid Grant, Harry Hetherington and Bill Walker. Sid collated their history from 1925, Harry took over in 1968 and Bill is the current custodian. Without their efforts, a valuable part of our sporting history would be lost. I congratulate the chairman of Northern New South Wales Football, Jeff Green, and his team on the wonderful job they are doing in supporting, promoting and expanding "the beautiful game" under their jurisdiction. Happy 125th anniversary, Northern New South Wales Football.