Get Involved - Parliament

North Shore Electorate Sporting Clubs and Teams

Published on: September 2023

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-134895

North Shore Electorate Sporting Clubs and Teams

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore) (16:13:56):

In my electorate of North Shore we have a strong sporting ethos and when we speak about our local sporting organisations, we are not just talking about teams and clubs; we are talking about vibrant communities that enrich our lives in countless ways. Whether it is netball, rugby, Aussie Rules, swimming, soccer, rugby league, basketball, rowing or sailing and so many other sports, our local community is always there and always involved. Unfortunately, I do not have enough time to talk about the achievements of every single sporting club and team across my electorate, but I will highlight a few of the outstanding sporting successes that have been achieved recently.

One of the most anticipated events in rugby union in Sydney is the annual Shute Shield. This year Norths battled against Randwick in the Shute Shield grand final at Leichhardt Oval. In true Norths style, the colours of black and red filled the oval. I particularly acknowledge the seasoned fans who filled a large section of the hill to witness the game. We were luckily enough to be able to watch the boys live at Leichhardt Oval and the atmosphere was simply electric. While the boys played a thrilling game, they were unfortunately unable to come home with the win, handing Randwick the shield for the first time in 20 years with the scoreboard finished at 17-15. I must say it was an admirable rally in the second half when Norths dominated.

I acknowledge Mosman Rugby Club, which many would know is a Mosman institution. Each year they host a Ladies Day at Rawson Oval to raise funds for the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation. This year was just as spectacular as it has been in past years. With an Amalfi Coast theme and a Chargrill Charlie van onsite, which is always my highlight, it kept us well fed. It was a great day raising those much‑needed funds for the Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation. Well done, boys, and to the Mosman Rugby Club for all your efforts in hosting another fantastic Ladies Day. Although I did not do as well on the field this year, I look forward to joining you all again next year.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the Sydney Swans Australian Football League Women's [AFLW] team, who claimed their first ever victory over the GWS Giants in a thrilling match for the season opener here in Sydney at North Sydney Oval, winning 51-46. In a massive show of support, my local community turned out in droves to cheers the Swannies on. The entire hill was covered in red and white and there were lots of cheers of support, particularly as they won the day. It was an incredibly exciting day to be part of. I acknowledge two of my former colleagues who joined me there on the day: Gabrielle Upton, the former member for Vaucluse and a former minister for Sport, and Stuart Ayres, the former member for Penrith and a former minister for Sport. We had a great time—Stuart a little less so when the Giants lost, but Gabrielle and I particularly enjoyed it.

On the back of the incredible Matildas results in the recent FIFA Women's World Cup, the Sydney Swans AFLW are also inspiring our young women and girls and it is truly great to see. I look forward to cementing North Sydney Oval as the home of women's sport here in Sydney, and I hope that the Sydney Swans will look at making it a permanent home ground for the AFLW. I heard some whispers that even the GWS Giants are looking at making it part of their home ground as well. With netball being a game that is close to my heart, I recognise the Mosman Netball Club and all of our fantastic girls and young women who have taken the courts across Sydney by storm. In particular, I acknowledge and congratulate Steph Maxwell. Steph was awarded the Pat Clarke Service Award at the end of season celebrations at Northern Suburbs Netball Association. That award was incredibly well deserved. I know how much the Mosman Netball Club values Steph as part of the team.

While our seasonal winter sports have come to an end, it will not be long before our summer entertainers are out in force playing cricket—I know that members of the Mosman Cricket Club are picking up their kits this weekend—or down at Balmoral Nippers where we will be taking on water safety and looking at caring for people on the beach—which the member for Wyong will be excited to hear about in the light of his recent speech; my daughter is now in her second year of nippers—or people who are taking on the waters of Sydney Harbour in our local sailing clubs. Our local sporting clubs and organisations are not just places where games are played. They are places where memories are made, friendships are forged, and dreams take flight.

I acknowledge and congratulate all our local sporting clubs and teams. I hope that you all know that our community stands behind you. We are cheering you on with unwavering support and boundless enthusiasm. It is so good to see that after a number of years of our seasons being truncated and participation being limited, we are back bigger and better than ever. Best of luck to our summer teams for the season ahead and may our winter teams have a great rest before they come back next year. Good luck, bring home victory, play well, and most importantly, enjoy yourselves.