Sally Sitou (Reid, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Earlier this year I received a handwritten letter from 10-year-old Marcus Zhang, and here is part of that letter:

I am writing to you for your help to build a soccer home ground for the Newington Community.

Our school soccer team won the PSSA Championship in 2023. However, we are facing a significant problem that is hindering our growth and enjoyment of this wonderful sport—the lack of a dedicated soccer field.

Currently, we have to play, practise and complete at other suburbs' home ground. This is a huge disappointment for all of us. It is a stress and pain for parents to drive to other suburbs for soccer training. The traffic is also terrible.

Having a soccer field is not only a want but a dire need.

I met with Marcus, along with his mum, Michelle, and his younger brother Flynn in my office, and I got to hear firsthand how much he loved playing soccer and how much he loved his club, the Newington Gunners. They invited me down to meet his team when the soccer season started, and I was very happy to take up that invitation.

Along with the state member for Parramatta, Donna Davis, I went down to watch Marcus's team play on a Saturday in May. We met with the president of the Newington Gunners, Ruben Gurie. He and other member of the club had been advocating for a new home ground since they lost their home ground almost five years ago. There were plans to upgrade Newington Reserve, but those plans had stalled. With Donna Davis and Councillor Patricia Prociv, I pushed the council to prioritise an upgrade to Newington Reserve. We are happy to announce that the council has approved the $17.5 million upgrade for Newington Reserve. This funding was provided by the City of Parramatta Council and the New South Wales state government. The upgrade will include a full-sized and mini soccer field, a sports pavilion building and spectator seating, barbecues and outdoor exercise equipment. Work on the reserve is expected to begin in March next year. So it may not be completed in time for the soccer season in 2026, but I'm hoping the Newington Gunners will be playing at their home ground for the 2027 season.

I want to thank Ruben Gurie and members of the Newington Gunners who have been advocating for a local home ground, but I want to particularly thank Marcus Zhang for writing to me to make me aware of this issue and for advocating for it. You've also shown other young people that they can achieve great results for the community if they speak up. Marcus, you are a remarkable young man and a soccer superstar.