Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The electorate of Forde is fortunate to have so many up-and-coming sporting champions, both young men and young women, across many codes. Indeed, some of the talent nurtured in my electorate has gone on to achieve international success—to name just a few: Rugby League's Cameron Smith and Corey Parker; Rugby Union's Peter Slattery and Israel Folau; swimmer Jodie Henry; sprinter Trae Williams; and boxer Alex Leapei. All are internationally recognised. But there are more stars being nurtured on the school ovals and gymnasiums and in the sporting clubs around the Forde community. Sport brings people together from many different backgrounds, and is the foundation for the strong community spirit we enjoy in Forde. Being part of a sporting team encourages students to build key life skills, including self-discipline, patience and persistence.

The coalition government plays a key role in supporting future sporting champions through our Local Sporting Champions grants. I recently had the honour of handing out seven of these grants to future sporting stars attending schools in Forde. I'd like to congratulate these seven students: Kaleb Nolan, Jacinta Ens, Dakota King, Monet Broughton-Ferris and Layton Reid from Park Ridge State High School, and Teapo Stoltman from Marsden State High School. The Forde electorate is proud of its sporting heritage, and we look forward to watching the champions of the future sign their names in national and international halls of fame.

See this speech in context