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Taking the field together: Integrated footy competition kicks early goals

The Western Australian Amateur Football League’s Integrated Football competition for people with an intellectual disability is officially under way, with a successful second round completed and the teams gearing up for Round 3.

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FootballThe Round 2 games at Lynwood Park on Sunday 27 June saw Lynwood Ferndale take on Fremantle CBC, while Kingsway East played Kingsway.

The competition was developed by the WAAFL to assist those with integration difficulties due to intellectual disability with getting involved in the game.

General Manager for Metropolitan Community Football Cameron Agnew believes the program provides participants with a unique opportunity to experience the sense of community, inclusion and fun that is inherent in being a part of a football club.

“Integrated football provides these players with an opportunity to be involved with community footy that otherwise wouldn’t be available,” he said.

“The concept of integration is a core part of the programs philosophy, as it gets these kids involved with an existing community club and culture.”

The WAAFL are working in conjunction with the Department of Sport and Recreation, Recreation and Sport Network and AUSRAPID to support and grow the program.

Last year the WAAFL organised a ‘come and try’ day and lightning carnival which proved to be overwhelmingly popular, involving 44 players.

The success of the carnival made way for the development of a seasonal competition within the WAAFL.

Three of the amateur clubs have taken on intellectually disabled players and four new teams have been formed.

The WAAFL are hoping to grow the number of teams in this division by two in 2011, including one from the Peel district.

The teams are made up of players over the age of 16 and have a weekly training regiment to practice for their monthly game.

Another two ‘come and try’ days are planned for 2010 and will be held in targeted Perth suburbs to encourage even greater participation in 2011.

Round 3 of the integrated football competition will begin on Saturday 24 July at Kingsway Reserve, with Kingsway verses Lynwood Ferndale at 11am and Fremantle CBC taking on Kingsway East at 12pm.

 
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