House debates

Monday, 26 February 2024

Statements by Members

Spence Electorate: Liverpool Football Club Academy

4:31 pm

Photo of Matt BurnellMatt Burnell (Spence, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

As a long-time supporter of Chelsea Football Club, it gives me no pleasure to announce this news to the House, especially after hearing the result of the Carabao Cup final, which took place in the early hours of the morning, our time. However, as a proud local member, it gives me a great deal of pride to announce the recent partnership between Xavier College and Liverpool Football Club. Xavier College has two of its three campuses in my electorate of Spence, in Gawler Belt and in Evanston. Their third campus, in Two Wells, is just over the border in the electorate of Grey.

The establishment of a Liverpool Football Club International Academy at Xavier has additional benefits by way of further partnership with the Australian College of Physical Education, making Xavier a destination for those looking to pursue PE or football at an elite level.

Xavier have highlighted, from the get-go, the benefits this partnership can have, not just for the school but for the local community. These benefits include access to high-performance training facilities, access for children and young adults in the community to a national network of academies, and also an international connection to Anfield.

While seeing Liverpool at the top of the table after losing out on the EFL cup just hours ago does hurt a little, at least there are more kids in Spence being instilled with the creed 'You'll never walk alone.' I thank the House.