Tuesday, 3 March 2020

Athena Babo and Peita Price

Ms BLANDTHORN (Pascoe Vale) (13:39): I would like to acknowledge two local sporting champions, two fabulous women in my community, Athena Babo and Peita Price.

Athena Babo, secretary of the Pascoe Vale Football Club, was announced the 2019 Victorian Sport Awards Volunteer of the Year last week. Athena is a great advocate for this club, working tirelessly in club operations, community engagement and in creating sporting opportunities for all members of our local sporting community. Athena drove the Save Hakeem campaign. Athena did not stop at this, advocating literally through the day and through the night, doing all she could to bring Hakeem home.

I would also like to recognise Peita Price who I have nominated for the Parliament’s International Women’s Day celebration, recognising women in community sport. Peita is a local mum who started volunteering at Auskick, then boldly stepped up to become the first female coach at West Coburg Football Club when the previous coach pulled out unexpectedly. She has also taken on playing Aussie Rules herself. Peita runs regular clinics for girls to try football, meet friends and discover the joys of AFL. Peita’s work represents all that This Girl Can and Change our Game stand for. She motivates local women and girls, proving to them that whatever their ability, whatever their age, they can be involved and achieve big things in sport, no matter their background or ability, both on and off the field.

I am extremely proud of both Athena and Peita. They are great champions for our local sporting community, and I know that they are going to continue to take the successes of their teams forward. I wish them all the very best for the year ahead.