25 August 2023
If anyone had any doubt about Australia's love of sport, the recent groundswell of support for the Matilda's football team during the FIFA Women's World Cup surely puts such uncertainty to rest.
There's something so special about Australia's green and gold colours; they Instil such pride in us all, and the country was united behind 'Matilda's mania".
As well as the wonderful unifying aspect of their cup journey, the success of the Matilda's has inspired so many, particularly young girls. who after watching their female heroes, now dare to dream that they too could reach the same dizzying heights. And it's not just the Matilda's who are blazing a trail for women and girls - the Australian Diamonds are the current Netball World Cup champions and the Aussie women's cricket team recently won the Ashes to name just two.
This level of success will only continue if we nurture the talent that is coming through at a grassroots level. Case in point, two members of the Matilda's side - Ellie Carpenter and Clare Hunt - both honed their skills on soccer fields in my Cootamundra electorate, while two rising track superstars, Grace Krause and Indie Cooper, shone on the world stage at the recent Commonwealth Youth Games after perfecting their skills locally.
During this parliamentary sitting week, I have asked the Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty directly, about what exactly her plans are for growing and nurturing sporting opportunities for women and girls in regional NSW and just how the government plans on accommodating what will surely be a massive increase in demand for sporting programs and resources.
The previous Liberal/Nationals Coalition Government has big runs on the board when it came to supporting females in sport in regional NSW, particularly through the highly successful Stronger Country Communities Fund (SCCF).
Pardon the sporting puns but we kicked some very big goals across our Cootamundra electorate, delivering significant investments in sporting grounds and amenities, aimed at encouraging engagement, improving safety and accessibility and fostering emerging talent, for women and girls.
There are many kinds of projects in our region, and throughout the state, that the NSW Labor Government now needs to focus on, if they are serious about nurturing our sportswomen of the future.
It is not enough to simply light up the Opera House in greed and gold, and host live viewing sites in Sydney. The NSW Labor Government must demonstrate they are serious about encouraging female participation in sport, and nurturing talent at a grassroots level, by investing in projects that make a real difference to the lives of women and girls in our regions.
The ball is firmly in their court.
Published: The Daily Telegraph - Pg 30 - OPINION - Friday 25 August 2023
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