Page 3543 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 12 October 1994
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media attention. Women's basketball, in particular, in this country is also achieving higher recognition and acceptance rates than it ever has. I find it surprising, with that increased supporter profile, that the Cannons' owner can afford to be seen to be dropping sponsorship of a major women's team in the national competition.
Madam Speaker, there are a number of other inaccuracies in the report this morning. Contrary to some of those reports, the Cannons have not backed the Capitals since 1986. The original backing was by ACT Basketball Inc. When the Cannons took over the Capitals in about 1990, the association, in return, took over responsibility for the Canberra Gunners, which is the Cannons' major development squad. Surely this arrangement imposes at least a moral obligation on the Cannons' management to continue their support for the Capitals. I believe that the owners and backers of major national league teams in any sport have a responsibility to support the other developmental aspects of that sport. This should be a major consideration from the start, and not just an option which can be dropped at any time. ACT Basketball will now be left with the difficult task of finding the wherewithal to fully support both teams - both the Capitals and the Gunners - or, in fact, dropping sponsorship of one or the other.
I have been advised that there are some concerns as to the financial viability of the Capitals, but I share the basketball association's belief that the Capitals are essential to the development of women's programs and participation in sport in this Territory. I have today directed officers of the Bureau of Sport, Recreation and Racing to meet with ACT Basketball to discuss this situation. However, I am confident that the Capitals will rise to the challenge and continue to be a force in the Women's National Basketball League in the future.
I wish to reiterate, Madam Speaker, that the owner of the Cannons and the Cannons themselves have received substantial community support over many years in this Territory. I believe that the owner of the Cannons and the Cannons organisation have an obligation to assist in the promotion and development of that sport in this Territory and that a great deal of their attention to this should be in the promotion and development of women's participation in basketball in the Territory. I am sorely disappointed at this decision, which appears to be taken for some short-term financial gain, as opposed to the long-term developmental interests of basketball in the Territory.
Madam Speaker, I request that further questions be placed on the notice paper.
PAPER
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, for your information, I present the Legislative Assembly Members Superannuation Board 1993-94 annual report, pursuant to section 22 of the Superannuation (Legislative Assembly Members) Act 1991.
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