Wednesday, 31 May 2023

Narre Warren North electorate sports clubs

Belinda WILSON (Narre Warren North) (09:59): I have visited many incredible sports clubs in my electorate of Narre Warren North this year, but I especially want to highlight a few clubs that I have recently visited that have really stood out, particularly because of their connection to multicultural communities and the service they provide in bringing the community together.

Last week I met with David and Jeff at the Endeavour Hills Rugby Union Football Club at Frog Hollow Reserve. I was amazed at the successful program the club runs, with huge turnouts at training. Recently I met with Leafi Talataina in Parliament during a visit with Jimmy Orange and the Academy Movement. Leafi was a student at Fountain Gate Secondary College and has now gone on to play for the Melbourne Rebels and the Wallabies junior squad while still keeping his strong connection to Endeavour Hills Rugby Union Football Club. Rugby is such an important tool for building multicultural connectivity, especially in the Pasifika community, and the club is an excellent example of this.

I also had the pleasure of visiting the annual Timor-Leste independence day celebration held by the Endeavour United Soccer Club alongside the Melbourne Timorese Club. Once again I was blown away by the sense of identity, unity and culture displayed at this event, all tied together with a love of sport. I have so many incredible sports clubs in my electorate, and I thank them all for their hand in strengthening community connections.