As we build up to the 2024 ACT election in October, Marisa Paterson MLA and Jeremy Hanson CSC, MLA will write a column each week covering different topics. This is the ninth instalment.

Jeremy Hanson

For one of the smaller cities in Australia, Canberra consistently punches above its weight when it comes to developing world-class sporting talent. Sport is a big part of my family’s life. I spend most weekdays and weekends driving kids around Canberra to the various sports they play. As a nation, we talk a lot about the online, isolated modern world we live in, and a strong antidote to that is grassroots sport. That is why ACT Labor is strongly committed to supporting our local sport. This term it has been my absolute pleasure to have worked closely with many of our local sporting organisations and groups. What is very clear to me is that local sports contribute significantly to promoting a sense of community, social inclusion, healthy lifestyles, and youth development.  

Growing the next generation of sporting stars requires strong investment in the junior levels. Since 2016, ACT Labor has been focusing on increasing female participation in sport. ACT Labor has been committed to female-friendly change rooms, toilets, and exterior lighting to make our pavilions more inclusive for female athletes. We have upgraded 38 of 56 pavilions to date and it is ACT Labor’s commitment to have the remaining 18 upgraded next term.

Under a re-elected ACT Labor Government, new sporting facilities will be built around the city including the Amaroo Tennis Centre, Taylor Playing Fields, Aquatic Centre in Commonwealth Park, and Stromlo Playing Fields. A feasibility study is underway on additional indoor sporting facilities in the Woden Town Centre. Existing infrastructure will also be upgraded such as the Tuggeranong Leisure Centre, an expansion of the Calwell Netball Courts, and improved lighting at Waramanga and Stirling. ACT Labor has also committed to making Canberra the ‘mountain bike capital of Australia’ with further works on the Stromlo Mountain Bike Trails.

ACT Labor is also committed to continue supporting elite sport in Canberra. I was very excited to see the ACT Labor support both a men’s and women’s Big Bash team for Canberra. It will make Canberra a destination for domestic and international cricket. Labor is also committed to building a new 30,000 seat stadium in Bruce and a new Convention Centre with capacity to host sports such as basketball and netball.

Promoting a sense of community through investment in our grassroots sport is something that ACT Labor is strongly committed to.

Marisa Paterson

For one of the smaller cities in Australia, Canberra consistently punches above its weight when it comes to developing world-class sporting talent. Sport is a big part of my family’s life. I spend most weekdays and weekends driving kids around Canberra to the various sports they play. As a nation, we talk a lot about the online, isolated modern world we live in, and a strong antidote to that is grassroots sport. That is why ACT Labor is strongly committed to supporting our local sport. This term, it has been my absolute pleasure to have worked closely with many of our local sporting organisations and groups. What is very clear to me is that local sports contribute significantly to promoting a sense of community, social inclusion, healthy lifestyles, and youth development.  

Growing the next generation of sporting stars requires strong investment in the junior levels. Since 2016, ACT Labor has been focusing on increasing female participation in sport. ACT Labor has been committed to female-friendly change rooms, toilets, and exterior lighting to make our pavilions more inclusive for female athletes. We have upgraded 38 of 56 pavilions to date and it is ACT Labor’s commitment to have the remaining 18 upgraded next term.

Under a re-elected ACT Labor Government, new sporting facilities will be built around the city including the Amaroo Tennis Centre, Taylor Playing Fields, Aquatic Centre in Commonwealth Park, and Stromlo Playing Fields. A feasibility study is underway on additional indoor sporting facilities in the Woden Town Centre. Existing infrastructure will also be upgraded such as the Tuggeranong Leisure Centre, an expansion of the Calwell Netball Courts, and improved lighting at Waramanga and Stirling. ACT Labor has also committed to making Canberra the ‘mountain bike capital of Australia’ with further works on the Stromlo Mountain Bike Trails.

ACT Labor is also committed to continue supporting elite sport in Canberra. I was very excited to see ACT Labor support both a men’s and women’s Big Bash team for Canberra. It will make Canberra a destination for domestic and international cricket. Labor is also committed to building a new 30,000 seat stadium in Bruce and a new Convention Centre with capacity to host sports such as basketball and netball.

Promoting a sense of community through investment in our grassroots sport is something that ACT Labor is strongly committed to.