By Molly Magennis
Williamstown Seagulls FIDA Football Club are holding a series of ‘Come and Try’ days over the school holidays to give those with an intellectual disability the chance to see if AFL is the right sport for them.
The free sessions will be run over two days, April 13 and 20 from 3.00PM to 4.00PM at Fearon Reserve.
It’s open to anyone aged between 10 and 16 with an intellectual disability who is interested in getting involved in the sport but are not sure it’s for them.
AFL Victoria have now also gotten on board and will be providing AFL equipment such as a giant inflatable game cube, as well as bringing over their own staff members to assist with the sessions.
All those who attend will receive a Williamstown Football goodie bag complete with a drink bottle and a mini footy, as well as their own protective helmet thanks to funding from the Australian Sports Foundation.
Club President Robb Klemm said there are still a few remaining spots available for both sessions.
“We’ve got a lot of interest,” he said.
“One of the important things is that there’s not a huge number of kids because that’s really intimidating. But we’ll have, I think, enough that every participant will be able to have some support and some individual attention.”
Klemm said that those with disabilities should have the same opportunities to participate in all the same sports that able-bodied people get to take part in growing up.
“It’s sort of a basic acceptance in Australia that kids get to grow up and play Auskick and everything else, but kids with disabilities often struggle to participate,” he said.
“It’s just often that the environment and situation doesn’t allow it to happen and that’s what we’re trying to provide.”
For more information or to get involved in the sessions contact Rob Klemm at rob@wsfida.com or 0419136992.
Enquiries regarding older, younger or other participants are welcome.
