Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, has today announced that Canberra local, Patrick Mills, will be awarded the keys to the city next Friday during a public event in Civic which will allow Canberrans the chance to meet the NBA star and recognise his sporting achievements both in Australia and overseas.
Patty Mills was a key player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) 2014 Championship winning team the San Antonio Spurs.
“I know Canberrans have been eager to recognise the achievements of Patty Mills since the San Antonio Spurs were victorious over the Miami Heat in the NBA finals earlier this year,” the Chief Minister said.
“As part of the public celebration, Mills will be presented with the Keys to the City, an honour reserved for the city’s highest achievers.
“Patty has made significant contributions to this city both on and off the court. He is a proud Torres Strait Islander man and a proud Canberran. He has mentored and inspired many young people in this community and we are very lucky to have him call this city home.”
The public event in Civic will coincide with the last day of ACT school holidays and the celebrations will have entertainment for the whole family. Basketball ACT will run Aussie Hoops clinics for budding basketball stars to test their skills and there will be musical entertainment. Deputy Chief Minister, Andrew Barr and Minister for Sport and Recreation, Shane Rattenbury will be present at the event.
“The formalities will take place at midday followed by an opportunity for fans to greet and have photos with Patty and his team mate from the Spurs, Aron Baynes who is a Queensland native,” the Chief Minister said.
“The pair will also be carrying very precious cargo, the Larry O’Brien Trophy, for fans to see during the celebration. The trophy has been already been to Argentina and will also visit France, Italy and Canada as part of the San Antonio Spurs Trophy tour, which will visit the home towns of the Spurs’ international players,”
“This is an historic tour for the NBA trophy as it is the first time it has visited countries outside of the United States and I am excited to see that Patty’s home town, Canberra, will be a part of this global tour.”
(Media Release Katy Gallagher)
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