Wednesday, 10 September 2025

Bass electorate community sport

Jordan CRUGNALE (Bass) (19:03): (1311) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Community Sport, and the action I seek is that the minister joins me in Bass to visit and meet with a number of our fabulous local clubs. Here we come together to celebrate participation, nurture the incredible talent amongst us and foster community spirit. This is where our kids play their first games with joy and courage, where volunteers generously give their time and energy – an inordinate number of hours – and where clubs create cultures built on values that inspire us all. We are inclusive, welcoming and respectful, proudly standing for those principles by encouraging positive behaviour and uplifting language, ensuring everyone feels truly that they belong. With equal courage, we call out behaviours that fall short of these values, because protecting respect and inclusivity is what makes our community stronger. We have and continue to invest heavily in community sports infrastructure programs and grants, for example, equipment, uniforms and clubs’ strategic visioning, which are foundations for stronger, healthier and more connected communities.

Across all three council areas of Bass we have a few runs on the board in terms of infrastructure investment. Here is a quick run-down of recently completed ones, with more underway in partnership with councils and clubs: Koo Wee Rup Bowls Club; new pavilions for Wonthaggi netball, croquet, soccer and tennis; Phillip Island croquet; Inverloch cricket and soccer clubs; Tooradin Dalmore football club; cricket nets at Catani, Phillip Island and Inverloch; lights at Dalyston, Inverloch and Cowes that you can see from the moon; and to the delight of the Koo Wee Rup Netball Club, our recent budget announcement of $275,000 towards new courts and lights means they are on the way to proper fit-for-purpose and up-to-standard playing facilities; and major upgrades at Pearcedale and Clyde rec reserves.

Speaking of Clyde, the Clyde Junior Football Club have just made history with their first ever premiership flag brought home by the under-13 boys team. They were loud and they were proud, undefeated all season, and are now the Navy 2025 premiers. Riley, Connor, Flynn, Abishaan, Jermaine, Kaizer, Kody, Jamie, Nathan, Luca, Kravitz, Jack, Brayden, Dallas, Jesse, Levi, Alex, Lennox, Hunter, Blake, Jaxson, Dev, Anthony, Flynn, Jai, Nate and Tyler – from the first bounce of the season to the final siren they have been outstanding. At every training, every contest, every tackle they gave it their all. To the incredible coaching team, Mick, Chris, Dale and Stuart, this premiership is a testament to your superb leadership, passion and belief. Congratulations to all the teams for a stellar season, with special mention to the fabulous under-14 girls, who got to the finals, showing roaring courage and teamwork. I cannot wait for next season. A big arm wrap around all the families who were up with the sparrows, cheering from the sidelines and supporting their kids at every turn. This club is all about community spirit. It is family, it is welcoming, it is inclusive and it is growing exponentially. I am proud to support them. Go Cougars.