Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I am really pleased to rise in support of this motion moved by the member for Forde because sport, of course, is a great way of life on the Central Coast. I am pleased to report that the Turnbull government is actively contributing to ensuring not only that we play sport in our community but also that we have access to fantastic sporting infrastructure. For example, we have invested $3½ million in a major redevelopment of Woy Woy Oval, which is also being funded by the New South Wales government, Clubs New South Wales grants and Gosford City Council. The government is also working with council by investing more than $300,000 in a vital upgrade to McEvoy Oval at Umina Beach, and we have also delivered on two other projects that were part of our positive Growth Plan for the Central Coast. Brendan Franklin Oval at Terrigal now has improved drainage and lighting thanks to $100,000 in funding from the federal government, and a $40,000 commitment to better lighting at Kariong Oval has also been delivered.

These upgrades are not much good at all without the people who use them all the time. At this time of year we are preparing to start and end seasons in sports like football, cricket, rugby league, rugby union, athletics, netball, baseball, basketball and many more—including even gridiron, with news last month that the National Gridiron League has added the Central Coast Cyclones to the upcoming competition. The Central Coast Academy of Sport, led by a passionate, experienced mentor, Ian Robilliard, is one of the leading organisations in this area.

But today we are focusing particularly on football, especially the positives that this sport delivers to families in our community. As the member for Forde has noted, the round ball game is played by more than 1.18 million people in Australia and is the most popular sport among children of both genders. Much of this is driven at a grassroots level by the local football clubs that are the backbone of our communities, including 10 clubs in my electorate. In fact, I will make a disclosure: my son, Oscar, has signed up for the first time to play in the under-7s for the East Gosford Rams in the upcoming season.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Yes, I finally get to be a soccer mum! May I extend my best wishes to everyone at East Gosford Rams and to all clubs in my electorate, including the Avoca Sharks, Terrigal United, Gosford City Dragons, Kariong United Cougars, the Kincumber Roos, Mountain District Football Club, Southern and Ettalong United, Umina United Eagles and the Woy Woy Roosters Football Club.

Many of our clubs also link up with local schools where there are a series of programs such as the Sporting Schools initiative, with an objective to reach children who may not normally choose to play sport and to get them involved. Fourteen schools in my electorate run this program, including in suburbs such as Peats Ridge, Kincumber, Empire Bay and Gosford. I have no doubt that the success of these programs, and many others, is in many ways enhanced by the community focus and leadership of the mighty Central Coast Mariners, and of course of the A-League.

Our Mariners have a proud reputation and record. As a dedicated member of this great club, I can say it is a truly unique feeling being part of the crowd at Central Coast Stadium. It is not just the on-field action; every game, thousands of people seem to leave the ground with great memories; our palm trees, the beautiful Brisbane water in the backdrop, the trumpets of the Yellow Army, and singing with some of the best bands in the league. May I place on record my appreciation to the CEO, Shaun Mielekamp, to Coach Tony Walmsley, to Captain Nick Montgomery, and to the entire playing squad and their staff. Also to Lawrie McKinna, now Mayor of Gosford City Council, whose legacy as coach will never be forgotten. I met with Shaun Mielekamp last week, and he spoke about the club's values and vision. The signing of Spanish legend Luis Garcia has also shown the ambition that this club has. I am confident that there are many great successes to come.

I would like to end with a call to action for clubs in my electorate. Many will know about the death of Mickey Dean. He recently died of a heart attack while playing football, which is a game that he really loved. He was only 47. I have spoken in this place before about Mickey, who was taken all too suddenly from his family and his community. Since then, working with his family and with the clubs—Southern and Ettalong United—we have developed a petition in support of seeing defibrillators installed in clubs on the Central Coast. While a defibrillator may not have helped in Mickey's case, it dramatically increases the chances of survival after a sudden cardiac arrest, if applied quickly. Central Coast Football and Men of Football on the Central Coast have already pledged their support to this important cause, and I am pleased to report that more than 100 locals have signed this petition in clubs around the electorate. This coming football season, I encourage others to get behind this very important cause and add their voices to those who have already signed our petition, to demonstrate the strength of support for this important piece of vital life-saving equipment for our clubs in our sports-loving community on the Central Coast.

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