FEW WINS are as exhilarating as those coming from behind. So, as most of Labor's ACT federal candidates came together to announce funding for the Gungahlin Jets' football facilities, Andrew Leigh said he didn't expect a lead before September 7.
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"We're the underdogs in this election, and I suspect that's going to be true until polling day," the Member for Fraser said.
"You would naturally expect a positive Labor message to take longer to resonate than Mr Abbott's task, which is essentially just to repeat what he's been saying for three years."
A fresh wind at the Amaroo Playing Fields on Saturday wasn't stopping the simple message getting through: the Jets will receive $350,000 for a multipurpose pavilion, including two dressing rooms, a kitchen and verandah.
Another $66,600 is being provided to fit out a smaller clubroom, expected to cater for scorers and provide storage options. Former sports minister Senator Kate Lundy said the new facilities would be made available to other sports groups in the rapidly growing area, including cricket and little athletics in the summer.
"Gungahlin is the fastest growth area in Canberra. Sponsors should sit up and take note, this club is expanding," Ms Lundy said.
The Gungahlin Jets Australian Rules club has more than 450 active players and 1000 members.
Joe Cortese, a founding member more than 30 years ago and now chairman of the Jets' board, said the funding would avoid the inconvenient overlap between different teams before and during their games.
"Currently, when the women play here, they've got to use the dressing sheds and the males wait outside, and there's the opposition and, if it rains, it becomes a bit of an issue," Mr Cortese said.
Mr Cortese said there was often a 10am women's game, followed by a men's reserves and seniors games, which meant teams regularly were left out in the cold in what is known as ''Arctic Park''.