Ben Small (Forrest, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to commend an outstanding group of athletes and celebrate their remarkable achievement in my electorate of Forrest. I speak of the Alcoa South West Football League women's team, who recently secured their sixth successive Nutrien Ag Country Championship. To understand the significance of this, we must appreciate the deep roots of this regional competition. The country football championship, now known as the Nutrien Ag Country Championship, holds a long and proud tradition in Western Australia. The core men's and Colts competition is a historic event which has been played for some 59 years as of this year. This history is re-enforced by a very long and enduring 51-year partnership with Nutrien Ag as sponsors, highlighting the powerful link between country footy and our regional businesses.

The growth of the women's game is a source of immense pride in our community. The women's championships are vital, although they are a much more recent addition, having been played for the first time in only 2019. This year, the competition was particularly noteworthy, as it was hosted outside of the Perth metropolitan area for the very first time, taking full advantage of the exceptional facilities at Hans Oval in Bunbury. Before a healthy crowd, the defending champions faced a formidable great northern side. The game was tight and a physical contest. Great Northern showed great intent in the early stages but our south-west team responded with grit and resolve as they had so many times before, with Tanisha Anderson and Rennie Meadmore securing goals in the first term. The great northern side continued to challenge, narrowing the margin to just four points in the third quarter. It took the consistent tenacity of our team, particularly Gemma Hill, who twice restored the advantage, to maintain the lead. The final term was controlled by the south-west team, who ultimately claimed their sixth consecutive championship.

I wish to formally commend the standout performance Ella Smith, who, I'm informed, was a strong performer throughout the entire carnival. She was deservedly named player of the championship and in the grand final itself. Congratulations also to Maddy Obal, who was awarded the prestigious Peter Beattie medal as the best player of the carnival for the south-west football league. I also commend the Nutrien Ag All-Star Team members from the SWFL: Beth Beckett, Rennie Meadmore, Ella Smith, Kloe Bassett, Daisy Rigby and Christie Daniels.

Finally, I also acknowledge the efforts of the team coach, Nathan Smith, for his leadership and the hard work of the organising committee from Country Football WA and the South West Football League, including the general manager, Jason Crowe, and his volunteer league executive, for their hard work in supporting the South West Football League women's team in their incredible achievements. It makes our community a stronger and more resilient place to live.