Cathy O'Toole (Herbert, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I stand here today, very proudly, to congratulate the JCU Townsville Fire on an outstanding win in the 2017-18 Women's National Basketball League championship. Once again, women are leading the way. As a season ticket holder, I had the pleasure of attending the final on Sunday, 21 January 2018 at Townsville RSL Stadium. Congratulations to the JCU Fire on three grand final wins in four years. That is a magnificent achievement.

Championship wins don't just happen; they are won by great teams. My sincere congratulations go to every player in the team led by six-time MVP Suzy Batkovic, coach Claudia Brassard and the coaching and support team. Great teams also need strong and competent management, and that is exactly what general manager Richard Goodbody and his team have provided the JCU Fire. The JCU Fire has put Townsville squarely on the map as a powerhouse for women's basketball, and that is great news for our city and our economy. The Fire are not just a great women's basketball championship team, they are excellent role models for young women in our community, as they are committed to the development of strong young women. They constantly give up their time to support local community groups, including our schools. The JCU Fire have been in five finals in seven years, and I think that is absolutely extraordinary for a female team.