Community TAB supports WA State Integrated Football Team
A team of 16 football players from WA with Intellectual Disabilities are competing in the National Inclusion Carnival in New South Wales, this July.
Community TAB of Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA), is a sponsor of the WA team, supporting the week-long AFL event in every state of the country which culminates with finals and selection of the All Australian Team.
Integrated Football Coordinator Hayden Marchetto said the Perth Football League’s Integrated Competition is unique and innovative.
“The WA State Team capacity continues to grow at a grassroots level thanks to support from Community TAB which assists the team to attend the All Inclusions Carnival competition,” Mr Marchetto said.
“Chosen players will not only have the opportunity to wear the WA emblem on their chest but also get involved in educational seminars including mental health, dietary management and leadership, as well as having access to Greater Western Sydney facilities as a training venue.”
“Part of what we would also like to do, with the support from Community TAB, is continue growing local community awareness of the WA State Integrated Competition and looking at the best options for that.”
Mr Marchetto added that they have more than 260 players across the competition.
“The feedback we get back through the Integrated Competition stakeholders and the players themselves is that being selected to play for their state is a high priority as it is an opportunity to gain exposure and experience on a large scale, but it’s not just about football, it’s also about leadership and positive lifestyle practices.”
The selection process for the state team is multi-faceted, clubs are asked to nominate players they believe to be of good character, possess above average skills and are mid to high functioning. Nominated players then form the High Performance Academy and undergo an intensive core training program.
Community TAB Manager Matthew Thomas said the connection between the WA Integrated Program and Community TAB has continued to be very valuable for all involved.
“Community TAB has been a sponsor of individual Integrated Football teams since 2016, so when the opportunity to sponsor the program at a state level came about we were thrilled to further our support,” Mr Thomas said.
“We have seen how much the players and their support networks love being a part of the football community and can see how important achieving a place on the state team is to these players.”
“Community TAB has longstanding partnerships with many sporting and inclusion organisations including HorsePower Australia and the WA Sports Federation, we understand that sport in all forms is the backbone of West Australian community life.”
The Integrated Football Program in WA launched in 2010 with funding from RWWA through the Department of Sport and Recreation due to several clubs identifying potential for people with disabilities to participate in their local club.
WA then entered its first ever State Integrated Football Team in 2015 when Integrated Football launched the State Program.
The 2019 AFL National Inclusion Carnival will take place from July 15 to July 21 in Blacktown, New South Wales.
Team List:
Lyndsy Ashworth – Coolbinia
Scott Crawford – Kingsway
Trent Fleming – Willetton
Robbie Gregory – High Wycombe
Graeme Govan – High Wycombe
Tyler Gould – Willetton
David Hallows – Coolbinia
Alex Indich – Fremantle CBC
Brendon Indich – Fremantle CBC
Anthony Kalimeris – High Wycombe
Jayson Mann – Coolbinia
Connor O’Neil – Fremantle CBC
Geoff Stewart – Willetton
Kyron Timms – Fremantle CBC
Chris Willers – North Beach
Tyson Worthington – Willetton
Emergencies:
Brandon Brown – Coolbinia
Alex Seymour – Coolbinia
Train On:
Toby Isenhood – Kingsway
George Cieslar – Kingsway
Mailey Kelly – North Beach
Zac Aquino – Willetton
Michael Nguyen – Coolbinia