Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads) (22:10): I congratulate the many sporting teams in Maitland on their historic efforts over the past month. Maitland's reputation as a premier sporting city and region has been boosted by the efforts on the field this winter season across many sports. The Maitland Pickers, our local rugby league team, was established in 1927. Its glory days were in the 1950s and saw the club win three premierships in a row. It has twice won two in a row in the 1930s and in 2010-11. After winning the grand final last year, the team was under pressure to repeat the effort in 2023. Maitland secured its spot in the grand final in a very close match—a hard-fought 24-22 win over South Newcastle early last month. The grand final saw a rematch between the two teams, but this game was a completely different story. The mighty Maitland Pickers dominated in the match and came out victors 46-10. The dream of repeating the run of premierships seen in the 1950s remains alive. Congratulations to the individual players, captain Alex Langbridge and coach Matt Lantry for their on-field efforts. Congratulations also to club president John Gorman and to former president Frank Lawell, who guided them through much of the past decade, and all the club volunteers who contributed to this success.

The Maitland Blacks Rugby Union Club has a proud history spanning back even longer, to 1872. When the Hunter Rugby Competition first took place in 1877, a team called West Maitland competed. Fast-forward nearly 150 years and the club proudly has its home base at Marcellin Park. Maitland last won the premiership 24 years ago and has sadly lost the grand final twice since that time. This year saw the club play last year's premiers, Merewether Carlton, in the grand final. Maitland is the only one town, one team in the Hunter rugby premier competition, and that means the black-and-white fans were out in force to support the side on the day. The Blacks broke their premiership drought with a 33-26 victory. Congratulations to the players, captain Sam Callow and coach Luke Cunningham. Senior club president Pat Howard and all the club volunteers deserve praise.

Maitland Football Club fielded both men's and women's teams in the Northern New South Wales Premier League competitions this season. Both teams secured finals berths, with the men bowing out in the first round of the finals. The National Premier League Women's side, led by captain Sophie Stapleton, made it all the way to the play-off final before finally being eliminated by Newcastle Olympic. Congratulations to club president Ray Watkins and the volunteer committee for all their hard work. The Maitland Mustangs basketball club began in 1957 and the team had a stellar year, with both their senior and youth men's teams winning their way through to the finals. The NBL1 East Men's team made it through to back-to-back grand finals and the Maitland community wholeheartedly supported them, many travelling to Sydney for the final games. The seniors suffered a heartbreaking three-point finals loss, and are already talking up their chances for next year.

Meanwhile, the Youth 1 Men's team went one better under coach Cal Wade, breaking a 22-year championship drought for any Mustangs senior team. I congratulate the team on making Maitland basketball history as 2023 Waratah 1 youth men's State champions. This Saturday the Maitland Saints AFL women's side will be the next local team to compete in a grand final for Maitland. The Maitland Saints are one of the town's youngest sporting teams, established in 2007. However, the code has quickly secured a solid player base, fielding 14 teams this season. Maitland will take on the Cardiff Hawks at Maitland No. 1 Sportsground. I wish them well, and I know that the whole of Maitland will be cheering them on.

Sport is so much more than just a game. Each of those sports and the many others that are played in the Maitland electorate have united our community, and we supported and will continue to support the players' efforts. We have seen recently the popularity and unifying force of sport with our beloved Matildas on the international stage, and I am so proud to see the inspiration that our local teams are drawing from those amazing women. I congratulate all the players, the coaches, the volunteers, the referees, the sponsors, the supporters, and of course the mums and dads who drove many of the players around for their whole childhood so they could achieve that amazing result. Go, Maitland! All the best.