She s tough little trooper too. Eireann's cerebral palsy means she has to undergo serial casting on her left leg every six months – it's a painful four-week process that involves doctors progressively stretching her leg, recasting it in new plaster every four days. Even with her leg in plaster, Eireann hasn't missed a training session and her mum, Beke Pyne, couldn't be prouder of her little girl's development this year.

"She used to have real trouble in large groups, she'd get quite frightened and a bit overwhelmed. Now she's basically her own little star of the show," Pyne said. "Her confidence levels have skyrocketed. She adores the Raiders, her father has taken her the past two seasons as a spectator, as soon as there was mention of a junior cheerleading squad she said "I want to do that!'. A lot of people think cheerleader and think 'oh my goodness, they're too young, too much make-up. But it's a really wholesome, beautiful family environment. The kids are just gorgeous. She loves game day, you can't shut her up. As soon as she hits the ground the smile on her face doesn't stop."

While Eireann has been perfecting her dance steps, Pyne has been taking 10,000 steps a day as part of STEPtember, to raise money for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, which will open a second Canberra therapy centre in the next few months. To give to Pyne's cause, donate to 'Eire's Angels' at steptember.org.au

CRICKET AND AFL LOOK AT HOME

They've both vacated their offices at Manuka Oval to accommodate next year's Cricket World Cup, but Cricket ACT and AFL Canberra could reunite in the future at Phillip's Footy Park. AFL has moved to the Tradies Club in Woden, while Cricket ACT is now based at the Italo Australian Club in Manuka, each with leases for the next two years. But Sport and Recreation Services have been involved in preliminary talks with the two sports about a potential move to Football Park.

Not so many years ago, it the facility was a weedy eyesore. But the ground has received a $2.4 million upgrade and would be a perfect venue for new administration blocks. Cricket ACT chairman Ian McNamee was excited by the prospect: "There's design work being done again to renew our relationship with AFL and being jointly housed there [at Phillip]. If that happened, you'd have something similar to Queensland Cricket. They're based at the Allan Border Fields for training and office, but at the GABBA you have the main oval and additional practise facilities for game day. At this stage, that's more than likely what will happen."

AFL manager South Coast-ACT Steve Maher was less committal: "We're working with Sport & Rec on a facility plan, but there's no firm plans for a venue at this stage."

TUGGERANONG'S HOT FFA CUP TICKET

Tuggeranong United is anticipating a bumper crowd of least 6000 people for its blockbuster FFA Cup match with Melbourne Victory at Viking Park on September 16. Tickets went on sale on Friday, more than 500 sold within the first four hours. It's expected to reach over 2000 by Monday. Viking Park's capacity is about 7500.

But it won't be the giant boost to Tuggeranong United coffers as first thought. It will cost upwards of $25,000 to stage the game, including about $6000 for 30 security guards. There's plenty of A-League action to look forward to, with Canberra FC hosting Sydney FC at Deakin on Wednesday. But don't expect a Canberra A-League team any time soon. It's understood there was a meeting in Sydney last week about the state of the game, where high-ranking bosses were told that three current clubs were struggling financially and that no expansion, including Canberra, was on the cards for the foreseeable future.

PALMER AND RATHBONE TOUR THE USA

The ACT Brumbies are going where no Australian rugby team has been before – the United States. Retired duo Dan Palmer and Clyde Rathbone will spend two weeks in the US spruiking rugby union. Former Wallabies prop Palmer has signed on to be scrum coach for the Brumbies and the Canberra Vikings. Rathbone has just retired after making his two-year comeback. The Brumbies are setting up a "USA Brumbies" academy system, based at Arizona State University. Super Rugby coach Stephen Larkham will visit New York in the coming weeks to follow Palmer and Rathbone's visit.

LJ BURSTING WITH EXCITMENT

The Canberra Capitals are chasing another big-name WNBA recruit after missing out on signing superstar Swin Cash. The Capitals would love another big-time player on their roster, especially as back-up to Lauren Jackson, who had more surgery last week. Finding a recruit is the easiest part, the big problem could be getting a third-party sponsor to raise the cash. Jackson has had surgery four times in the past seven months and will miss the world championships. Jackson is already getting so excited about her comeback, she went out to buy her own shoes last week. Jackson is sponsored by Nike, but the warehouse didn't have her size. "I went searching for the shoes. I'm really keen to play, I want to repay Canberra for everything they've done for me."

MARK HIGGS AS GOOD AS BRAD HADDIN?

With the ACT Comets eyeing a resurrection in Australia's domestic one-day competition, former captain-coach Mike Veletta reflected on the team's early years. The former Test batsman recalled two young Queanbeyan talents, Brad Haddin and Mark Higgs. While Haddin has gone on the have a long distinguished Australian cricket career, Veletta reckons Higgs - now ACT Comets coach - was just as talented. Both broke into the Comets team in 1997. "Hadds looked pretty good from the start, but him and Higgs were on par on ability. Higgsy had some enormous ability as a batsmen, bowler and natural fielder. But Brad worked it out quickly what he needed to do."

SPEIGHT'S FAMILY IN LIMBO

Brumbies winger Henry Speight will almost certainly be added to the Wallabies squad on Sunday, but his Fijian siblings are racing the clock to be granted visas. It's understood Speight's application for brother Jerry and sister Davila to visit him in Australia were finalised this week, with supporting letters from the Brumbies, ARU chief executive Bill Pulver and ACT senator Kate Lundy. Zed Seselja is working behind the scenes, while a Brumbies board member is also pushing for the pair to be allowed into Australia. Jerry and Davila have had two previous applications rejected because the department of immigration deemed them a risk of seeking asylum. Speight withdraw from Saturday's National Rugby Championship game with the Canberra Vikings as a precaution for his hamstring injury, but he's likely to be fit for selection in his first Test for Australia against Argentina next weekend.