Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

On Saturday night I had the great honour and privilege of attending the Tuggeranong United Football Club presentation night, which was also a celebration of its 40th anniversary. The Tuggeranong United Football Club has grown to such an extent that they have five presentation nights now, from the juniors right through to the seniors. The event on Saturday night was the event for the seniors. It was a terrific night attended by hundreds of Canberrans. It celebrated Tuggies serving 40 years of service to the Tuggeranong Valley, as well as introducing Canberrans and people in the Tuggeranong Valley to the love of football.

Forty years ago, this was a club that had very humble beginnings. But it has launched the careers of Socceroos, it has launched the careers of Matildas and it has launched the careers of FIFA referees. Over four decades, it has also given the opportunity to thousands and thousands of Canberrans to stay fit and active, to get engaged in team sport and, as I said, to learn the love of football.

The club runs from juniors through to seniors and masters. It has a very active program for young Canberrans. I want to take this opportunity to commend the club for pioneering girls' and women's football here in Canberra. There was a great deal of resistance early on, and in the 1980s they achieved that goal— (Time expired).

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