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Local Olympics fans will be able to watch many of the major events at the Paris Games live at pubs, clubs and bars across the state, thanks to the NSW Government’s Special Event Extended Trading.

Venues can trade during the early hours of the morning if they screen selected 2024 Olympics events for patrons.

With an eight-hour time difference between Paris and Sydney, the extended trading will give more fans the chance to cheer on their favourite athletes and teams.

The NSW Government’s Special Event Extended Trading supports the state’s venues and encourages a vibrant nightlife for residents and tourists.

Under the extensions, venues can open their doors longer for special cultural and sporting events, helping to boost local night-time economies.

Patrons should check with their local venue for specific opening hours during the games.

Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said:

“Olympic fever only strikes once every four years and as Australians we know this means late nights and some sleep deprivation to enjoy it properly.

“There is nothing like cheering home a gold medal winner with friends and community. Special event extended trading will support that – as well as an economic boost and more jobs at night.

“All NSW pubs, clubs and bars are eligible venues for the Olympics extended trading hours, and do not need to apply individually to open when they screen the Games live.”

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:

“The Olympics is the biggest show on Earth, and Australia is one of its most sport-loving nations, so it’s appropriate that NSW residents will be able to come together at local venues to cheer on our athletes competing in these major events.

“The extended trading will allow our pubs, clubs and bars to benefit from the Games while patrons soak up the Olympics atmosphere.

“Enabling venues to trade later during major sporting events is a key part of the NSW Government’s commitment to creating a safe, inclusive and vibrant night-time economy across NSW.

“I look forward to joining the late-night crowds to cheer on our Olympians during the coming weeks.”

Electrical Trades Union

Electrical Trades Union (ETU) Ausgrid members across Sydney and parts of regional NSW will take strike action, outraged by the company’s refusal to offer a wage rise that recognises the rise in the cost of living.

Up to two million Ausgrid customers could face inconveniences as part of the industrial action, which could kick off as soon as this week.

Around 1600 ETU members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a range of actions including work stoppages, overtime bans, switching bans and locking bans.

Households and businesses could experience maintenance delays and other inconveniences unless Ausgrid offers workers a serious pay rise that helps them keep up with the soaring cost of living.

Electrical contractors rely on switching to turn the power off to do major work and maintenance, or connect power to properties.

A whopping 93% of union members rejected Ausgrid’s offer earlier in the month, paving the way for industrial action.

Any emergency work will not be affected by the action.

The poles and wires company services around two million customers, which equates to more than four million people, across most of Sydney’s east, north and inner-city, as well as the Central Coast and Hunter Valley.

Ausgrid is the third major power company in NSW in a dispute about giving workers the pay and conditions they deserve, joining Transgrid and Endeavour Energy.

ETU NSW/ACT Secretary Allen Hicks said:

“The millions of Australians who rely on the east coast’s largest electricity distributor should be alarmed to learn how Ausgrid is treating its staff, who keep their power running and their lights on day in and day out,” he said.

“Ausgrid’s insulting pay offer has left workers with no choice but to launch industrial action including work stoppages.

“Ausgrid could instantly prevent any maintenance delays or inconveniences to the community with a serious offer that helps workers keep up with the spiralling cost of living.

“Ausgrid workers’ real wages have gone backwards with the cost-of-living crisis eroding the value of their last pay rise. Their experience is not recognised or rewarded, despite their critical role providing a safe and reliable electricity network for millions of NSW homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and infrastructure.

“ETU members haven’t yet received an offer that will allow them to keep up with cost of living increases. They have no choice but to continue to exercise their legal right to withdraw their labour until they get an offer that doesn’t send their wages backwards.”

Background:

ETU members are seeking annual pay rises of 8% for the next three years, plus a 1% superannuation increase over two years in addition to the federal super guarantee of 0.5% increase in years one and two

Ausgrid offered a 7% pay increase in the first years, followed by 2.7% (or CPI if it is higher) in years two and three, and the federal super guarantee of 0.5% increase in years one and two

ETU members put a counteroffer of a one-year agreement of 8% with other allowances which was rejected by Ausgrid

Bargaining started in May

The NSW government owns 49.6% of Ausgrid with the rest in the hands of AustralianSuper (8.4%), IFM Investors (25.2%) and APG Asset Management Group (16.8%)

Netball NSW is delighted to announce the athletes selected to represent New South Wales at Netball Australia’s inaugural First Nations National Tournament scheduled to be held in Melbourne this September.

With the support of FDC, the NSW First Nations Team will contest the Tournament which aims to provide accelerated and equitable opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants in netball.

The Tournament will take place at the State Netball Centre in Melbourne from Friday to Sunday, 13-15 September.

The Tournament will feature Under-23 aged teams from every State and Territory who will compete across three days of competition.

Alongside NSW the Tournament will also have teams representing Victoria, ACT, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

“The 2024 pilot First Nations Tournament marks the first step of a national First Nations netball competition,” Netball Australia CEO Stacey West said.

“It will provide the opportunity for Netball Australia and its Member Organisations to develop what an ongoing First Nations tournament can grow to become as our sport moves forward on its collective First Nations journey.”

First Nations coaches, umpires and officials from around the country will also take part in the inaugural event, further showcasing the depth of Indigenous talent that exits across the netball landscape.

Leading the NSW team in Melbourne will be Colleen Mitchell (Head Coach) and Kellyanne Huggins (Assistant Coach), while Emerging Umpire Ryan Ahearne will also be participating.

The Tournament follows several national First Nations programs established this year including a pilot First Nations Coaching Course, as well as the formation and debut of Netball Australia’s First Nations Invitational Netball Team, the Black Swans, at the 2024 Pacific Netball Series.

Netball Australia’s First Nations Engagement Lead Ali Tucker-Munro expressed the importance of the inaugural Tournament.

“I cannot wait to see our girls in action, as well as the opportunity to connect with mob from across Australia who share the same passion and love for our great game that I do,” Tucker-Munro said.

“The introduction of this First Nations Tournament demonstrates the commitment from Netball Australia and all Member Organisations to take the required steps to ensure our sport is a safe inclusive space for First Nations Australians, whilst recognising and nurturing the First Nations talent we know exists within our communities across Australia.

“I’d also like to thank our partners who have demonstrated a deep understanding of what it means to invest in programs that create opportunities specifically for our strong staunch First Nations women and girls.”

Russell Grady, Managing Director of FDC, who are supporting the NSW team, said:

“As long-term supporters of women’s sport and GIANTS Netball, FDC were thrilled to be offered the opportunity to assist Netball NSW in participating in the pilot First Nations Tournament. We would like to thank Netball Australia for introducing this great initiative.

“The impact that such an event will have on encouraging and developing the talents of First Nations netballers across the country, and contributing to the overall strength of our game, cannot be underestimated.

“FDC are very proud to be able to support such a worthwhile event and look forward to its future successes”.

Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott said:

“Netball NSW firmly believes that there should be an annual First Nations National Tournament in the high-performance calendar and we confirmed our commitment to this initiative immediately upon it being raised as a possibility.

“I would like to sincerely thank FDC for their support to enable us to participate and Netball Australia for working collaboratively with its Member Organisations to ensure the tournament commences this year.”

The 2024 First Nations Tournament will be free for patrons to attend.

NSW FIRST NATIONS TEAM

Acacia Elers (Newcastle/Worimi)
Alirah Watton (Dubbo /Gamilaroi )
Ayla Clark (Sutherland Shire /Worimi)
Charlotte Ryan (Randwick/Dharawal)
Ellie Stacey (Maitland/ Wonnarua)
Jayda Grant (Wyong District/Wiradjuri)
Jaylah Boney (Charlestown /Ngemba/Barkinji)
Mia Evans (Illawarra Distrit/Kamilaroi)
Sarah Graham (Newcastle/Biripi)
Tahlia Robertson (Sutherland Shire/Noongar)
COACHING TEAM
Colleen Mitchell (Head Coach / Ku-Ring-Gai/Worimi)
Kellyanne Huggins (Assistant Coach/Maitland/Gomeroi)
OFFICIALS
Ryan Ahearne (Umpire/Randwick/Wiradjuri)

Netball NSW is proud to introduce the organisation’s Aboriginal Artwork, Harmony on the Court, which will be integrated into all elements of Netball NSW going forward.   

Designed by Chloe Eastwood and Tay-la Shearley of Bindi Bindi Art, the design depicts vibrant hues and intricate Aboriginal designs, transforming a netball court into sacred ground.

Harmony on the Court embraces the colours of Netball NSW while reflecting the land, waterways, and natural fauna found across the state. It showcases the unity and diversity of Associations and Clubs, engaging participants, creating community and life-long connections.

The court’s markings intertwine with Dreamtime symbols, signifying a rich cultural tapestry and profound land connection. The regions across NSW are connected like players on the court, working together towards common goals, demonstrating the power of teamwork and unity, where everyone’s role is crucial to the success of the team.

Intricately placed symbols represent the connection between players on a court, and the regions across NSW that play their part in the landscape of netball, each a tribute to the ancestral pathways, connecting the Aboriginal community to their land and heritage.

The artists, Chloe and Tay-la, are proud Ngemba and Wiradjuri women who have a strong connection to the Darug community and also consider it home.

“Our connection to Netball NSW is deeply rooted in our personal experiences and a shared passion for the sport’’ say Chloe and Tayla

“Both of us grew up playing netball, fostering a love for the game that extended beyond the court. Whether actively participating or avidly spectating, netball has been an integral part of our lives.

“Now, as parents, we are excited to further nurture this connection by enrolling our daughter in her first year of playing netball. This marks not only a continuation of our family’s involvement in the sport but also a new chapter in our shared journey with Netball NSW, as we pass on the legacy of our love for netball to the next generation.”

The design radiates Netball NSW’s core values:

• Creating an inclusive, welcoming environment
• Fostering teamwork and unity
• Striving for excellence
• Promoting fun and passion for the game

These elements merge to form a dynamic representation of a community rooted in tradition, excellence, and a shared love of the game.

Netball NSW CEO Tracey Scott thanked Chloe and Tay-la for showing through their art netball’s connection to community and land.

‘’Harmony on the Court certainly embodies netball in NSW through the lens of Aboriginal culture and pays homage to the Netball NSW Vision, Purpose and Values,’’ she said.

‘’We are excited to showcase the artwork through our pathways, programs, competitions and the Netball NSW brand.’’

Netball NSW thanks all the artists who put forward an Expression of Interest to design the organisation’s First Nations artwork.