Gai Brodtmann (Canberra, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Once again, a Canberra sporting team has made history and shown the rest of Australia that we can beat the best that other capital cities have to offer. I was reminded this week that it all began in 1977, when the Monaro Rugby League side playing in the Canberra competition beat the touring Great Britain side, with Larry Corowa scoring five tries. Ever since then we have seen a host of national champions: the Canberra Cannons won the National Men's Basketball Championships in 1983, 1984 and 1988; the Canberra Capitals won the WNBL grand final a record number of times; the Canberra Raiders were NRL Premiers in 1989, 1990 and 1994; the ACT Brumbies have been in five rugby finals, winning twice; and now we can add the Canberra Cavalry, who last weekend defeated the Perth Heat to win the Australian Baseball League championship series. For the first time, the Claxton Shield is now living in the national capital, where it rightly belongs. On behalf of the people of Canberra, I congratulate the Canberra Cavalry members, head coach Michael Collins and his coaching staff, support staff and all of the fans that support the Cavalry—and a special mention to young Aaron Sloan, who was awarded Most Valuable Player.