Tue, 04/10/2011

Recently, Mary officially opened the School Sport Australia National Soccer Championship, at Hawker Oval.

While welcoming the participants, most of whom were from interstate, Mary pointed out that participation in soccer was very strong in Canberra and that it was the fastest growing sport in the region.

“I have been, and continue to be, a big advocate of Capital Football, and especially Canberra United,” Mary said. “I congratulate the CEO of Capital Football, Ms Heather Reid, for the admirable work she is doing.”

Heather, who recently travelled to Germany to support the Australian women's team, the Matildas, at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and also to represent Football Federation Australia at the FIFA Women’s Football Symposium, stated that 2011 has been a busy year for Capital Football. She said that there were more than 12,000 players finishing the junior league on 10 September and a further 30 finals being held in senior competitions, all in the back drop of preparing for the W-League kick off on 22 October.

“There’s never a dull moment in this woman’s life!” Mary remarked.

“I congratulate the organisers of School Sport Australia National Soccer Championship, including managers, coaches, staff from School Sport ACT and School Sport Australia, who have done an incredible amount of work to make this event possible,” Mary stated.

“Congratulations also to all those who were selected to represent their State or Territory. Many, if not all of current Socceroos and Matildas, achieved their first representative honours at Primary Schools competitions like this one,” Mary concluded.

All the details about what’s happening in football and with Canberra United can be found at www.capitalfootball.com.au or www.canberraunited.com.au.