Integrated football a big hit in the Falcons DistrictThursday, February 6, 2014 - 1:41 PM

There were plenty of smiles when a group of 16 players participated in the Integrated Football Come and Try day in the Falcons District on Saturday, February 1.

The players were put through a basic training session at the Lake Joondalup Baptist College oval, run by the Ocean Ridge and Quinns Bulls Amateur teams, in which their skills and determination shone.

The day was full of laughter and enjoyment and highlighted the myriad of benefits and opportunities for players within the Integrated Football League program.

The Integrated Football Program provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to enter mainstream Amateur Football whilst being able to enjoy the culture and friendship at a local Amateur Club.

Players range from 16 to 41 years of age, highlighting diversity with a common bond of wanting to participate in a game of Integrated Football within WA Amateur Football League.

In 2013, the League had six teams participate including Fremantle CBC Gold, Fremantle CBC Green, Kingsway, High Wycombe, Lynwood Ferndale and Warnbro.

In 2014, the League hopes to expand to 10 teams with Coolbinia West Perth AFC, Wembley AFC and the two Falcons District teams in Ocean Ridge AFC and Quinns Bulls AFC.

Games are generally held each fortnight on Saturday afternoons, following the Amateur league match, but details of the 2014 season will be released soon.

Feedback from the event has been very positive with one parent stating his kids had "an absolute ball, and were on cloud nine."

"You have no idea what opportunities like these mean for these guys. They couldn't be happier and are keen to get training already," he said.

The Falcons District hosted a BBQ for everyone following the event and the participants were handed a brand new Falcons jumper, kindly donated by the West Perth Football Club, which they wouldn't take off.

Quinns Bulls and Ocean Ridge Amateur Football Clubs will now finalise their plan for the season ahead and will release training days/times as soon as they can.

As Jonathon King from the Ocean Ridge Amateurs stated, "We don't want this to be just a great event, we want to establish a team and get them playing through the season. We want to create a real family environment around our clubs".

Thanks to the City of Joondalup who provided meat, drinks and a barbeque for the day. Also to City of Wanneroo for supplying bottles of water, and the Lake Joondalup Baptist College for the use of their oval.

Also, thanks to all of the service groups who supported the day through distribution of the flyers and information, and everyone who attended the day.

For more information about the program, visit the website http://waafl.com.au/programs/integrated-football or if you'd like to be involved in this great program within the Falcons District, please call Scott at the Falcons District on 9300 3611.