Lisa Chesters (Bendigo, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Today I rise to let the House know that this weekend Bendigo, my home town, will host the Women's National Basket Ball League championships. The Bendigo Spirit team is one victory away from claiming back-to-back titles. For the second year straight, the Bendigo Spirit will meet the Townsville Fire in the WNBL grand final.

The Bendigo Spirit is a team of champions, but every team of champions needs an opposition—a team that will try and match their greatness. Whilst I am sure that the Townsville Fire will bring it this weekend, my money is on our home team—the team to win again. With four-time Olympian and Bendigo captain, Kristi Harrower, taking the lead, I am sure that the Bendigo Spirit will once again win the grand final.

The accolades keep coming for our famous and talented Bendigo Spirit basketball team. Last Friday at the 49th annual Bendigo Sports Star awards, the team was recognised again. The Spirit's victory in 2012-13 was acknowledged. The team was successful in winning the inaugural Faith Leech Achievement Award. Just like Faith did in 1956, last year the Bendigo Spirit played against the Townville Fire and they showed how athletes from regional centres can excel, whether it be in the pool or on the court. The Bendigo Spirit, I am sure, will rise again to be victors this weekend.

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