Page 4599 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 31 October 2018
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But it is not just on the field where the Jets have been successful. The club is growing its social culture as well. The trivia night marked the first time netball organised a whole-of-club event, symbolising the growing culture of one club, one family. Earlier in the year the Jets held a women in sports event that discussed the challenges women face in organised sports. The Jets have long been a leader in women’s sports, and initiatives like these only serve to improve their standing in the future.
The Jets are a Gungahlin institution and can only be so because of the hard work and dedication of its volunteers, committees and board. It is because of the commitment of its volunteers that the Jets can offer sports to so many people across the region.
I want to take the chance to congratulate the Jets board, including Matt Porter, who stepped down as chair in September. I also want to say a huge thankyou to the Hambletons on behalf of everyone at the club. The contribution of Louise, Tony and their sons to the club has been and is extraordinary. I hope they are all enjoying a well-earned break before training starts up again.
The club does a great deal for our community. It provides the opportunity for over 400 junior footballers to get involved in local sport. It has taken long strides in opening the football and netball to women and girls. And this year, it has worked with the AFL to offer the opportunity for a vision-impaired child to play footy. This move on its own has empowered not just Callan Veal, but also his family and teammates.
Earlier this year the Jets obtained a Chief Minister’s grant to install new benches at the front of their clubrooms at Amaroo. This initiative will benefit not only the club but anyone using the playing fields. I am glad I was able to assist the club in applying for the grant.
The Jets continue to grow as their community becomes stronger. Right now there are 26 teams training on two ovals and housed in the hangar at Amaroo playing fields. The Jets’ philosophy is that they want to ensure that anyone who wants to play the game can access it. I want to continue to work with the Jets to ensure that that can happen into the future.
In line with this philosophy, the Jets believe that netball dresses may be an impediment to women playing and enjoying netball. Last week the Canberra Netball Association held their annual general meeting where rule changes were made that meant clubs could begin wearing shorts. This was a rule change led by the Jets and their affiliate junior club East Gungahlin. The Jets will now consider options for how they can transition to being the first netball club in Canberra to offer shorts as their uniform, creating a more equal playing field for all players.
I would like to congratulate everyone at the Gungahlin Jets for their efforts this year, and I look forward to seeing the club continue to grow in 2019.
ACT Telangana Association
Durga Puja
MRS KIKKERT (Ginninderra) (5.29): October in Canberra is characterised by an abundance of colourful flowers. In Telangana State, which is located on southern
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