Lucy Wicks (Robertson, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Central Coast community is passionate about sport, and in Gosford we have the home ground of a club that has so much to be proud of in its short history. The Central Coast Mariners are entering their 11th season in the A-League and boast a proud record, including a championship trophy. But, of course, the true heartbeat of the club is its supporters, the yellow army, with more than 6,000 members. This year the Mariners are asking: 'Are you in?' and I am proud to say that, yes, I am in for season 11. Good luck to CEO Shaun Mielekamp, coach Tony Walmsley, captain Nick Montgomery and outgoing skipper John Hutchinson, a Mariners legend who is now moving into a coaching role. I am in because it is all about standing up for the Central Coast and for our great community—because it is not just about the Central Coast Mariners but also about the 10 football clubs in my electorate, who you will see at parks and ovals across the coast every weekend. There are the Avoca Sharks, East Gosford Rams, Gosford City Dragons, Kariong United Cougars, Kincumber Roos, Mountain District Football Club, Southern and Ettalong United, Terrigal United, Umina United Eagles and the Woy Woy Roosters football club.

It is also great to see the Mariners engage with these young stars of the future by attending training sessions, by inviting them to play on the field at half time and by committing to play more games next season at Central Coast Stadium. I am supporting the Mariners and our 10 great football clubs in my electorate because I am passionate about our community—and I proudly wear my yellow and navy in parliament today.