CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr BURNELL (Spence) (16:59): During the winter break, I had the pleasure of welcoming Jayden from Playford International College to my electorate office for work experience. During his time with us, I asked him to write a speech for me to present to parliament about something he considers important, and these are his thoughts: 'After playing for the Elizabeth Football Club for three seasons, I know how much trust players put in their club and the grounds they play on.

According to the AFL, more than 625,000 people play Aussie Rules across Australia, including more than 70,000 in South Australia. That's a lot of players and families trusting that local footy fields are safe. Back in July, Nathan Fitzgerald, a 27-year-old teacher who played for the Epping Football Club, tragically lost his life after sustaining serious head injuries during a game.

This tragedy should make us look harder at the risks players face every time they lace up their boots. Footy is a physical game and that's part of why people love it. But there are risks we can reduce.

That includes taking head injuries seriously across all football codes. Sometimes the damage is immediate and devastating. Other impacts can emerge after years of knocks and concussions, particularly when players feel pressure to keep going when something doesn't feel right.

No player should have to play above a concrete cricket pitch, on a poorly drained oval or at ageing facilities that have gone decades without proper improvements. Most concerningly, the cover pitch involved in this tragic incident reportedly met AFL and Cricket Australia safety standards. If that is the case, those standards deserve another look.

Grounds like Argana Park in Elizabeth Downs, where I spent many weekends playing footy, show the importance of having spaces designed for different sporting codes to safely play and train. Player safety must always be the priority. I want young people playing footy, making friends, staying active and connecting with their community.

Local clubs do a lot of the heavy lifting, but they need the facilities and support to provide safe environments. If we want Aussie kids chasing their dreams from grassroots footy to the elite level, we must make sure the grounds they start on are as safe as possible.' Thank you, Jayden, for your wonderful and thoughtful words. Sport is the glue that often binds communities like ours.

I just want to say in closing that your contribution in my office, over the eight days that you were there, was simply remarkable. You are an impressive young man. I feel much better for the benefit of you being in my office.

I wish you all the best in your future study endeavours but also everything that is afforded to you in your life ahead. You are a remarkable young man, and our community is exceptionally lucky to have you in it.