Mrs SALLY QUINNELL (Camden) (18:44): The dawn of spring brings about new beginnings. As the weather warms up, communities transition from cool weather activities to activities mainly done in the summertime. On that note, I use my time today to talk about sport in my electorate of Camden, more specifically the thrills and triumphs that the end of the winter sport season brings and, with that, looking ahead to warmer weather and summer sport in the local community. Camden is home to a range of sporting activities available to people of all ages, from those just starting out at the youngest age to those who want to keep active as they get older.

With a range of activities available come a range of sports on offer. We are so lucky to live in a country with such a variety of sports and facilities on offer to be able to participate in outdoor activities. Sport is integral to the lives of so many in the community. It is a great way to stay active and get outdoors, be social and, most importantly, have fun. Winter sport in Camden provides the community with all those benefits. The biggest winter sports in Camden at the grassroots level are soccer, netball and rugby league. They are played by all ages, from young children to seniors, but many people participate in other sports across the year throughout the local community.

In recent weeks, different sporting organisations whose winter seasons have now concluded held their finals series. In soccer, the local Macarthur Football Association has now concluded its finals. I congratulate all the participants in each of the grand finals. There were well over 50 different matches played, with all ages involved. I give an extra special congratulations to all of the winning teams, whose hard work and dedication has been rewarded with an end-of-season trophy. Well done. An enormous amount of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure the matches are able to take place, including referees, match officials and those who, in my day, brought oranges and set up the canteen.

I give a special shout-out to those involved in the administration for all the clubs involved and the broader football association. Many people who do those vital jobs are unpaid and use their own time to ensure that the matches go ahead. For the job they do, we cannot thank them enough. The same can be said for the local rugby league competition, which saw several teams winning their respective competitions at the conclusion of the recent season. The Macarthur division of rugby league has once again supported rugby league at all ages through the season. Organising matches and awards nights is no mean feat and deserves congratulations to all those involved in the recent season.

I also acknowledge the award winners for the season gone by. Awards are no small feat and they recognise outstanding achievement for an individual in their chosen sport who showed determination, courage and teamwork throughout the season and is recognised as the best in their team, category or competition. Once again, I congratulate the award winners participating in winter sports throughout the community. Whether somebody has played the most popular or least popular sport does not matter at all. Sport is about more than just the game; it is about teamwork, communication, friendship, determination and having fun throughout the season. It is a true gift for sport to be so widely available in our community. Whatever sport people participate in, they will learn the same principles and have a lot of fun in the process.

On the back of the fantastic winter season that has just finished or is finishing this weekend in Camden, we can now look forward to the summer and to summer sport getting underway. As a result, people will put away the football boots and get out the cricket bats, softball mitts, basketball hoops and tennis rackets, or go swimming. As we look back on the season gone by, we look back on the teams we have played in, the friends we have made and the fun we have had playing and being involved in sport in the previous winter season. We can now look forward to the summer. Once again, I thank all volunteers who make these sports happen. I have not spoken about all sports but, do not worry, I will get there.