I also thank the House for its indulgence in allowing me to contribute to the debate. Like all my colleagues so far, I add to the congratulations and general sense of excitement surrounding the Matildas and the FIFA Women's World Cup in general. Like the member for Badgerys Creek, I also refer to the sport by its original name: football. As we reflect on the general atmosphere of excitement and admiration for the Matildas and what they have contributed to our community so far, I think back to perhaps 20 years ago when I was 14 years old and blown away and inspired by the ground breaking film Bend It Like Beckham. The film highlighted the sometimes complex challenges that talented women who want to play sport can face.

Much has changed in the past 20 years since the release of Bend It Like Beckham. One lasting impact of the film is that a few years after its release I took the plunge and signed up to play in an all-ages ladies' football team—the Waratahs. Over the past 12 years, I have personally seen and experienced the huge impact that grassroots sport has on people, especially women. The wonderful community of supportive women that I joined at the Waratahs demonstrates that sport is a real bridge for so many in our community. Regardless of age, cultural background, religion or even level of talent and skill, sport can be a safe place to build skills, form friendships and give back to your local community. Many people in Liverpool will look back on this time and measure its impact on their lives, differentiating between the pre-World Cup and the post-World Cup world.

For many in Liverpool, sport—and the world game, in particular—provides a language to help negotiate the broader community and the world around them. It provides a safe place to ensure that we can strive for our goals and achieve a range of different things. As many of my colleagues have highlighted, the Matildas' campaign has brought forth a whole spectrum of emotions and responses, but the most significant is inspiration. I, too, was at the Matildas' first game of the World Cup, and I heard from a mother who brought her young daughter along to a football game for the first time. She said, "I was worried about whether or not she would enjoy herself, but she has been talking about wanting to sign up at the local football club next season." That is the kind of impact that events like these can have.

I doubt that anyone within the Matildas' ecosystem, or more broadly within government or the sporting community in general, can truly appreciate the flow-on effect that the Matildas' have had and will have into the future. I also highlight that it is up to us in this place to ensure that we capitalise on this success and carry it forward so that we do not lose the opportunity to ensure that this inspiring moment achieves its true potential. I, too, add my congratulations to the Matildas', their support team, their coaches, the physiotherapists and the many, many people who have contributed to where we stand today.