Latest news with #DanellaBevis
Perth Now
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Socceroos throw open doors for WA Day training session
WA Day has just got even bigger, with the Socceroos set to host a free open training session on Monday's public holiday ahead of their blockbuster World Cup qualifier against Japan. Led by former Perth Glory coach Tony Popovic, the Socceroos will open the gates to HBF Park on Monday for one of their last training sessions before they fight for a spot at next year's World Cup. With two crucial matches left in their qualification campaign against Japan and Saudi Arabia, positive results in both games would see Australia seal second spot in their group and clinch qualification for a sixth successive World cup. The national team are currently encamped in Abu Dhabi ahead of Popovic unveiling his squad for the two qualifiers, which starts with next Thursday's match against Japan at Optus Stadium. West Australians Adam Taggart, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati and Jack Iredale are among the West Australians vying for contention in the squad. Monday's open training will be the first session of an all-important week for Popovic's men, knowing a win against Japan could potentially seal their spot at next year's marquee tournament in North America. Fans will be able to watch the Socceroos stars train for free and with no registration needed just 72 hours out from the Japan match. Access will be available via gate one at HBF Park and fans will be allowed in from 4pm onwards ahead of the 5pm start. Hamersley Rovers Junior Football Club's Milli Foley, 11, Sky Broom, 12, Paige Broom, 10, Lachlan Wallace, 10, centre front, Oliver Stewart, 10, Clark Wallace, 8, Jasper Wallace, 5, Arlo Koestoer, 8, and Harvey Stewart, 8. , The Socceroos will hold an open training session on WA Day at HBF Park. Danella Bevis Credit: Danella Bevis / The West Australian When: Monday June 2Where: (HBF Park)Time: Gates Open 4pm, Training Starts 5pmEntry: Via Gate One
Perth Now
29-04-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Guide Dogs WA celebrates with puppies showcased across Perth
They say dogs are a man's best friend, but for some, they really are the paw-fect companion. Each year, dozens of volunteers spend countless hours raising Labrador puppies to help them become full-time guide dogs. Guide Dogs WA development and training leader Emily Gomboc said the pups were trained to assist people with vision impairment, autism and trauma. 'We also have dog-assisted therapy and facility dog programs . . . and we've got a dog at the children's court who visits the witness room and comforts witnesses before they go in,' she told The West Australian for International Guide Dog Day on April 30. 'Our roles are very diverse, it's more than just about vision impairment.' She said Labradors were 'great companions' and said they were favoured for their gentle temperament and trainability. 'They're such great companions and they seem to have a sixth sense in terms of being able to read people's emotions,' she said. Seven-week-old puppy Duncan. Credit: Danella Bevis / The West Australian 'No matter what type of days you've had or how you feel, dogs are happy and welcoming and their companionship is invaluable.' Ms Gomboc said little Duncan — who is just seven weeks old — was getting ready to enter Guide Dogs WA's puppy development program. 'They all start in our well-being program where they are exposed to basic things like different surfaces, sounds and smells,' she said. 'When they're about eight weeks old they enter our puppy development program until they're between 14 and 18 months of age and then they go and live with volunteer families.' From there, volunteers spend hours exposing their pups to environments like trains, buses and shopping centres for when they go on and permanently live with a client. 'Our volunteers deserve so much credit for the time and effort they put into these pups,' Ms Gomboc said. 'Some volunteers commit for the whole 18 months . . . we also have temporary short-term boarders who take on puppies for respite periods so people can go on holidays which is encouraged because we want resilient, adaptable dogs. Guide Dogs WA puppy whelping advisor Tyne Palmer with 11-week-old Miggs. Credit: Danella Bevis / The West Australian Guide Dogs WA trainer Stacey Dorn said guide dogs had a 'life-changing' impact on their client's lives. 'They'e like 'how did we live without this dog? How did we even cope with life before this dog?'' she said. 'There's so much positivity and companionship to gain from dogs, there's nothing else like it.' Guide Dogs WA is today celebrating International Guide Dog Day with dozens of paw-some activations across the Perth CBD. Guide dogs and training puppies will make an appearance at multiple Bunnings', Murray Street Mall, Raine Square, Gramercy Bar and Grill and Belmont Forum. And for every $25 donated, each person will be able to submit a name of their choice to name one of the training puppies. 'It's an opportunity for the community to ask questions . . . and for us to tell them about our dogs because they're such a crucial part of people's lives,' Ms Dorn said. 'The dogs give people independence and freedom and it's important that they have continued access to that.'
