Page 3067 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 23 September 2014
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Seeing a gap in the market for training and development, Mr De Margheriti founded the Academy of Interactive Entertainment in 1996 to establish a specialised training institution which would educate and extend artists, programmers and developers interested in working within the creative digital industry. Mr De Margheriti’s nomination and win at the iAwards this year highlights his passion for the gaming industry and in particular his entrepreneurial skills which have not only provided him with success but created an industry which educates and develops the careers of those wanting to work in the creative digital space. I congratulate him on this prestigious award.
I would also like to speak in support of the Tuggeranong United soccer club. Tuggeranong United’s Westfield FFA Cup journey began by winning the 2013 ACT Federation Cup, which gave them the opportunity to represent the ACT region in the inaugural FFA Cup competition. Their first match was an away match against South Hobart, the undisputed champions of Tasmania. A very close match that finished one-all was decided by a penalty shootout. The match was streamed live on the internet and watched by over 200 fans on the big screen at the major sponsor’s club, the Burns Club.
The draw for the round of 16 resulted in Tuggeranong drawing one of Australia’s biggest teams, A-League side Melbourne Victory, at home in Canberra. Viking Park in Wanniassa was already selected as the preferred venue in order to keep the match in the Tuggeranong district. Tuggeranong United Football Club’s regular Kambah ground and Tuggeranong enclosed oval were both deemed unsuitable for this level of football match.
The match was held on Tuesday, 16 September and the turnout was an outstanding 5,150 spectators, one of the largest attendances of the nationwide competition so far. The match was broadcast live across Australia and the world on Fox Sports and watched by many expats as far away as London and India. Despite a brave fight, Tuggeranong United were defeated 6-0 by the superior team on the night, but were able to demonstrate the battler spirit that Tuggeranong United are renowned for, as well as capturing the imagination of the Canberra sporting public.
Coach Steve Forshaw and the players led by captain Tim Stewart are to be especially congratulated on the FFA Cup run and on their professional promotion of the ACT region to Australia. The coach’s support team of Russ Gibbs, Peter Reid, Craig Wisdom, technical director Jimmy Bland and program coordinator Craig Toole all contributed to an impressive campaign. Anthony Corder, the board member with responsibility for communication and sponsorship, was always on hand with information, and looking at gaining more support for the club. Tuggeranong United president Jon Thiele led the huge workload by example and promoted the club and the region at every opportunity.
Local businesses stepped up to support the campaign, as well as the club’s existing major sponsors—the Burns Club, Priority One Mortgages, Peter Blackshaw Tuggeranong, Trussme building supplies, Storage King Kambah, Kingston Physiotherapy, Canberra Clothing Accessories, and The Good Guys Tuggeranong.
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