By Molly Magennis
A sports club in Williamstown has been announced as a recipient of a national grants program, allowing them to purchase important sports equipment.
The Williamstown Seagulls FIDA Football Club received the grants thanks to the Australian Sports Foundation Active Kids Grants program, who distributed almost $550,000 worth of sporting equipment and uniforms to help sports clubs across the country.
The Seagulls FIDA Football Club was established in 2011, and is a member of the Victorian Football Integration Development Association Football League which exists to give those with intellectual disabilities a chance to play AFL.
President Rob Klemm said the club has spent the grant money on helmets, an essential piece of equipment for a contact heavy sport like AFL, and particularly important for those who already have pre-existing head injuries.
“We did a survey at the end of last year of 51 players in our club, and of them, 12 already proactively wore head protection,” he said.
“Four of our players identify as having an acquired brain injury as well as intellectual disability, and six identify as having a diagnosis of epilepsy which can lead to seizures and possible falling and that sort of thing.
“We are really already quite aware of the impacts of concussion and the risks that that poses to players who’ve got acquired brain injuries or something similar, where a concussion can have even more significant consequences.”
Mr Klemm said over the last 30 years, FIDA has been able to give kids who’d never thought they’d get a chance to play footy.
“I think one of the great Australian traditions or rights or however you want to call it is that opportunity to play footy,” he said.
“Unfortunately, for a whole variety of reasons, people with intellectual disabilities struggle to be able to maintain their places in mainstream teams.”
“[It’s] really important for mental health, and particularly the last couple years with COVID. The enthusiasm to come back and play this year is really strong.”
The Seagulls will launch their 2022 season on Sunday, March 20 at Pelican’s Landing, Williamstown.
