Disabled boosting footy player numbers

By Craig Smith, 7 April 2011

More intellectually disabled young men are joining Australian Rules football clubs across Perth.

The ‘Integrated League’ is an initiative from the West Australian Amateur Football League, which is designed for young men with intellectual disabilities who want to play football.

Fremantle CBC Amateur Football club is one of five clubs across Perth to with a team.

The ‘All Abilities’ team name, reflects the nature of what the competition is all about.

Brendon Bleakley, the coach of the team and former club captain, wants more clubs across Perth to field a team in the Integrated League.

“We’re only in our second year, but hopefully the league will continue to grow each year with more teams joining,” he says.

“Our boys are just as keen as the other teams at the club to play, which is why it’s a shame they only play five games for the season.”

Mr  Bleakley says he has been in contact with the WAAFL and other clubs about expanding the league.

“Training and games are great to watch,” he says.

“Sometimes as much as getting a fingertip to the ball will be paid as a mark to these boys.

“It can be hard work at times, but at the end of the day these lads love the game just as much as everyone else here and we have plenty of laughs along the way.”

The players are supported by an army of volunteers from the club’s mainstream teams and the player’s parents.

The parent of one player, Heather Timms, says the club, coaches and WAAFL have been great in organising the league.

“My son Kyron loves coming to training and playing,” she says.

“He looks forward to five o’clock on a Wednesday every week.

“The job that Brendon and the rest of the club do with them is just fantastic.

“They are treated the same as the other teams; if they aren’t listening they do pushups, after they play they get awards presented on a Thursday night.

“They love being part of such a great club”.

The All Abilities train once a week for an hour, with games played on a Saturday, once a month.

The first game is against Wanbro on 7 May at 4.30 pm at Wanbro Sporting Complex.