Update on equal footingball club league
Equal Footingball Club League is Western Australia’s junior (soccer) football competition created to provide playing opportunities for teenagers with disabilities.
by Gordon Duus; Football West Inclusive Development Officer, 3 May 2011
Equal Footingball Club League is Western Australia-s junior (soccer) football competition created to provide playing opportunities for teenagers with disabilities.
Games and training take place on Sundays, in most cases mornings and surrounded by vibrant active junior game days.
The ongoing Club program formally kicks off Sunday, 8 May!
The three clubs joining the league have just finished holding their Open Days, where they opened their doors across three dates to showcase the game to 14 players and their families.
I have been working with the clubs in rolling out this program, with these three clubs having been hand-picked for their commitment to their local communities and for their track records of inclusive practices with various initiatives to include young people with disabilities.
From my perspective it was pleasing to see the reactions of attending families to the new football format. It was a common theme to hear from parents that this was a perfect program for their child-s needs and that they would be back and tell their friends about the program.
To expand the program and get it to a point where we can spread out to more clubs in other parts of the metropolitan area we would need an increase in participants. I think the line we have to get over is widespread realisation by families and youngsters out there that the World Game is easy to learn and play and that there is an opportunity for everyone to shine on the field.
I met a boy at the Western Knights event this last Sunday and after a nervous introduction we involved his family in the activities, which encouraged him to come onto the field to join the other players. Once he got into the swing of playing he was thrilled to be in the action and made the most of the opportunity, clearly taking more than a smile away with him after the day-s playing activities.
As part of the program players have opportunities to progress into more advanced levels of competition, if they improve their skills or show stronger ability in this league. One player was identified from the Open Days as being good enough for playing in advanced junior competition, probably just needing some encouragement.
Interested parents of participants eager to help their child-s development are provided free access to the grassroots coaching courses, which are no more than three hours commitment on a weekend day or a weeknight.
The clubs have been very proactive in offering reduced registration fees to cover insurance, administration levies, venue hire contribution and team uniforms; all supplied at an impressive price.