Ed Husic (Chifley, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the Mount Druitt Netball Association representative dinner, where we celebrated the achievements of the year. On the night, I also had the chance to catch up with Margaret Weir, Secretary of the Tregear Presbyterian Netball Club, who over the years has inspired a lot of sporting stars—and I say thank you to Margaret for her hard work.

One of the people Margaret is associated with and we'd be familiar with is her grandson, Mat Ryan. From Shalvey Primary School student to Socceroo shot stopper, Mat is the true definition of a Western Sydney champion. He started his soccer career at Plumpton-Oakhurst as a child, moving on to Blacktown City before making his way to the Central Coast Mariners. Starting with the Mariners in 2010, he spent three years with the club, winning the Joe Marston Medal and the PFA Harry Kewell Medal, and was twice named A-League Young Footballer of the Year. He was vital in the Mariners' 2013 grand final victory.

Continuing a fine tradition of Australian goalkeepers, Mat, just like legends Mark Bosnich and Mark Schwarzer, grew up in Western Sydney and has worn the Socceroos No. 1 jersey. He had his first 2014 World Cup experience under his belt at the age of just 22 and was Australia's first-choice goalkeeper for this year's World Cup in Russia. He's starring in the European league and played with a number of clubs. I want to say how proud we are of his achievements and we'll be watching, with great interest, where his career heads.