Thursday, 2 May 2019

De La Salle Cannons

Ms TAYLOR (Southern Metropolitan) (10:42): It was a delight to attend the De La Salle Cannons’ first season launch, in particular because this group of very special over-35-year-old women grew up in an era—not unlike myself—when women were relegated to the sidelines and were not able to kick a footy other than perhaps, at best, at half time, maybe at the end of the game or perhaps with their dad in the backyard. And I can say that it was a very emotional game and there was a real sense of achievement, because they were out there and they were giving it their all. Even if they were red-faced and exhausted, they were going hard.

I should say this did not just happen. It took the collective will of each and every one of those women to band together and make this go. I am really proud of them. But it was also really nice that many male members of the club came up to me and said how wonderful it was, because it had actually changed the whole dynamic of the club and made it a lot more welcoming and inviting space for everyone.

They now have updated facilities there for female players courtesy of the Andrews Labor government and Stonnington council and the local clubs working together. It really is all coming together at the right time, and I wish them all the best for the future. I know they are going to play hard.