Wollongong. It’s our time to shine!!

We’re a city not afraid to show our true colours when it comes to getting behind our favourite sporting teams, and this Sunday our very own Illawarra Hawks are playing the Championship decider.

Let’s get behind the city’s only fulltime national sporting team as #werisetogether.

I’m a die-hard Hawks fan from way back and one of the things I truly love and appreciate is the sense of community you get by being part of an exciting moment like this.

It’s not dissimilar to the momentum from community we saw when the Matildas were competing in the World Cup. It’s fun to be part of something positive, and it brings such joy.

We’re behind our team. You might have seen the city being “painted red” with posters, digital signs and even the lighthouse illuminated red in support of the NBL founding club.

I’ve certainly noticed people proudly wearing their Hawks jerseys and donning the red and white. And, no doubt, the Sandpit is going to be a sea of red and black on Sunday afternoon for the game.

In both the members and public sales, the tickets were snapped up in no time at all. If you didn’t manage to get one of the hottest tickets in town, Council has you covered.

Just like we did when the Matildas’ were playing in the World Cup, we’re hosting a live site in Globe Lane, Wollongong Central.

There will be two big screens set up, plenty of outdoor seating and an electric atmosphere for the 2.30pm tip-off.

If you’re more a homebody, it’s also going to be televised live on 10Bold (free-to-air) and the 10Play app.

It’s going to be a tough game for the team – as all four previous games in the Championship have been. But we’re 100% behind them. Whether in the WEC, Globe Lane or at home, we’re going cheer, chant and encourage them home every step of the way.

Let’s go Hawks!