Ms JODIE HARRISON (Charlestown—Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault)— It was so exciting to see former Hunter Sports High School student and Newcastle Basketball talent Saffron Shiels named in the Opals squad for their tour of China— but, in the context of seventeen-year-old Saffron's career so far, it's not surprising at all. Saffron Shiels is a basketball wunderkind.

When she was still too young to play for a team in the local comp, she was on the sidelines, dribbling the ball and shooting goals like a natural. She went on to play for the Newcastle Representative side and repped NSW. Internationally, she has previously played at the 2022 and 2021 FIBA U18 Women's Asian Championships, the 2022 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup, and the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Women's Basketball World Cup.

Now she is one of the youngest players ever to take to the court for the Opals, and one of a handful of women from Newcastle to be named to the side, joining such names as Katie-Rae Ebzery, Suzy Batkovic and Melva Saunders. She has recently been signed to play for the James Cook University Townsville Fire, and I cannot wait to see what comes next for this sensational athlete. Congratulations, Saffron!

A Community Recognition Notice is an opportunity for an MP to submit a short statement praising the work of an individual or group in the local community. If you have any ideas about people I can recognise with a Community Recognition Notice, please email and let me know!