Latest news with #FootyForAll
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Region to host Footy For All Roadshow
Inclusive football opportunities will be promoted in Kalgoorlie-Boulder next week as part of a 2025 Footy For All Goldfields Roadshow, on behalf of the WA All Abilities Football Association. The program, starting on Monday, will showcase WAAAFA's ongoing commitment to providing football for all skills and ability levels while breaking down barriers and connecting communities through sport. It will be launched on Monday night with a wheelchair footy experience — touted among Australia's fastest-growing and most inclusive formats of the game. Wheelchair footy enables people with and without disability to compete alongside each other, removing physical barriers and promoting true inclusion, teamwork, and fun. On Tuesday, students from Kalgoorlie-Boulder Community High School and Eastern Goldfields Education Support Centre will take part in Kickability clinics during periods one to three. They will be followed by students from O'Connor Education Support Centre that afternoon, with the clinics designed to introduce children with disabilities to football in a safe, supportive, and highly adaptable environment. Each session is designed to build confidence, co-ordination, and connection, with many students experiencing structured football for the first time. 'Footy For All is exactly that — football for everyone, regardless of ability,' WAAAFA executive officer Hayden Marchetto said. 'We are committed to ensuring that children and families in every part of WA have access to sport in a way that meets their needs. 'This program wouldn't happen without the outstanding support of Northern Star Resources; the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; and Country Footy WA, whose shared commitment to inclusion is helping us create real change.' The Footy For All program continues to grow Statewide, ensuring people living with disability have genuine pathways into sport — whether through Kickability, wheelchair footy or broader inclusion initiatives — while strengthening community participation throughout WA.
West Australian
03-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Jayden Schofield relaunches Starkick and Footy For All programs through new role for disadvantaged athletes
Football has taken Jayden Schofield all over Australia from playing in the AFL to delivering Chapman Valley's first flag in 32 years, but now the talented local wants to give back to the sport he loves. Working for Country Footy WA, Schofield has been appointed regional football specialist for the Mid West with the 33-year-old turning his attention to the positive impact that football can have on people's lives. Schofield has developed an all abilities program for children and young adults between the ages of five to 17, with the aim to give children with intellectual and physical disabilities the chance to play football. Starkick will get under way this Saturday at GBSC Sports Park alongside Auskick and is a great opportunity for kids to get involved in everything the sport has to offer. Schofield said his goal was to get as many young people involved in football as possible as he looked to the future of all abilities football in WA and the Mid West. 'Last year I think we had about 14 kids, so my aim is to double it,' he said. 'Maybe not in the first session but over the six weeks we are running it, we hope to get the numbers up to 30 plus. 'It's all about participation for anyone who wants to get involved in footy. 'Our motto for Starkick is 'if you want to play, we'll find a way' so we are really trying to go back to those roots of just playing for enjoyment and the things that come with playing football socially.' Schofield is also running another program in partnership with ATLAS targeted at older ages from 12 years up called Footy For All, which will be held at The Rec on Monday, June 9. Footy For All is an inclusion masterclass, encouraging older children living with disabilities to get involved, play with their mates and enjoy football. Hoping to double numbers from last year's season of Footy For All, Schofield is determined to get as many athletes involved in football in the Mid West. 'Footy has given me everything in my life,' the former Western Bulldogs player said. 'It's given me friends, community and family, so without footy in my life I'd be nothing. 'My goal is to pass that on to people that want to get involved and show them that they can get involved no matter what obstacles they may face. 'I have learnt that footy can be so beneficial, not just playing it but the things it can bring you, it can give you so much. 'That's why we want to give back and give people who might not feel as though they have the opportunity in the sport and show them that there is a place for them to play.' Starkick begins this Saturday, June 7 at GBSC Sports Park from 8.30am to 9.30am while Footy For All starts on Monday, June 9 at the Rec from 4pm to 5pm. To register for Starkick (ages 5-17) follow the link: To register for Footy For All (Ages 12+) follow the link:
