IPSWICH COMMUNITY UNITES FOR FOOTBALL DAY

Community inclusion for people with disability was celebrated in Ipswich last weeked, with Avegates’ first ever Community Football Day.

 

Attracting over 70 local participants, five schools and four service providers, the event was a great success, giving people of all abilities and ages an opportunity to get in the field and have a go.

To make the day possible, Avegates All Ways Access Football program teamed up with DanDaLion Friends and received support from Councillor Andrew Antoniolli, Ipswich North Rotary Club, Ipswich City Council, Western Pride Football Club, Focal Ipswich and DnR Tarpaulins.

With two inflatable soccer fields set up, Avegates encouraged and assisted players with a disability to trial the adapted games, which were fully accessible for wheelchairs.

Avegates Coordinator, Nick Martin said “Ipswich is such a strong community orientated area with an overwhelming passion for the game of soccer”.

“To see the enthusiasm and energy from everyone who came along to give the activities a go was incredibly rewarding,” said Mr Martin.

To kick off 2016, Avegates is making it possible for interested soccer players living in Ipswich to join the new All Ways Access Football team. 

The new football program in Ipswich will build skills and enable people with disability to enjoy team sport with friends.

Mr Martin is encouraging everyone who is interested to apply and said “Participating in sport is more than just a feel-good exercise, it has also been responsible for dramatic improvements in mobility and motivation.” 

“One of the best things about sport is that it breaks down a lot of barriers for people with disability,” said Mr Martin.

Anyone interested in joining the team can contact Nick Martin at Avegates on 07 3340 9012.

Avegates is a Multicap innovation providing the ultimate social experience network by connecting people with disability and assisting them to live more vibrant and meaningful lives.

Multicap is a high needs disability organisation assisting, developing and empowering people since 1962. Together we are community of possibility in all ways and always.