Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I follow in the footsteps of my colleagues who all had important sporting announcements. I would like to do a big shout out to the Australian parliamentary netball team. It was a terrific example of all levels of parliament coming together across the Tasman Sea at what was a tremendous and fiercely competitive weekend of sport between the New Zealand and Australian parliaments.

I would also like to acknowledge the mighty Carrington Pirates Rugby League Football Club on their tremendous success this last season too. As their patron and No. 1 ticket holder in Newcastle, I could not be more proud of the incredibly gutsy effort from the entire Pirates team this year, culminating in being crowned the 2016 minor and major premiers in the Newcastle-Hunter rugby league competition. They are the very essence of what a good Rugby League team should be. They are strong, community based and surrounded by a fantastic team of volunteers that enable that sport to happen every weekend.

There is nothing better than a Sunday afternoon at the footy, cheering the Carrington Pirates on from the sidelines of the Connolly oval in Carrington, catching up with friends, family and fans. It has been a terrific season and the grand final was just the icing on the cake. I am especially pleased to see the emergence of the Carrington Pirates Ladies League Tag Team and I look forward to cheering them on in 2017.