“Just For Kicks” ready for Football4all challenge
A first for the Gala Day, Just For Kicks? player roster and management cannot wait to arrive in Sydney to compete but more importantly to enjoy a fantastic day of football.
One key member behind the Just For Kicks program has been Jack McNeilly, the founder of this wonderful team.
His passion and desire to see kids with special needs playing the round ball game and having a smile on their faces is what McNeilly enjoys most since its early beginnings in 2000 when the program commenced.
?I started the Just For Kicks Academy back in 2000 when I began work at the Wangaratta District Specialist School.
?I have a football background and in those days there was no access to football in this region for young people who had an intellectual disability.
?I decided to start a school football team, once I had enough players for a team I started looking around for games or tournaments.
?I came across a tournament that was being played in Melbourne in November 2000, called the friendship games.
?I contacted the organisers and we got the green light to enter a team in the tournament.
?The next year I decided to have a tournament in Wangaratta and I invited regional specialist schools to send a team.
?I called it the Just For Kicks Football tournament, on the premise that it was not for sheep stations it was just for kicks.
?The name stuck. This year we will host the 10th annual tournament. Regular visitors to the JFK are Bendigo, Ballarat, Wodonga, Cobram and far away Moe.?
There?s been a number of success stories since the induction of Just For Kicks with McNeilly naming a few of them during his interview with Football NSW.
?During the 10 years we have had a few success stories back in 2006, three of our players represented Australia at the INAS-FID Football World Cup held in Germany.
Last year we had 10 players represent Victoria at the Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide. ?Three of those players will represent Australia at football in the 2011 Special Olympics World games held in Athens June 21 this year.?
McNeilly has been equally proud with his team?s efforts throughout the years but pinpointed that there were a number of people along the way that assisted with the promotion of this wonderful program.
?I think that is a pretty good effort from a school that has a population of 70, although I?m proud of my achievements, it would not be possible without the help of a few School Principals along the way, and the help of assistant coach Ashley Pearson.
?It?s the kids who deserve all the credit. It?s not all about representing your state or country, along the way we have had many players who have participated in tournaments and never got the higher honours but still attend training every other Saturday here in Wangaratta.
?They look forward to catching up with their friends, having fun and keeping fit, for all of them it will always be, Just For Kicks.
Asked which players he was set to bring with him to Sydney for the Football4all Gala Day McNeilly stated.
?The players we will be bringing are Captain Tammie Evans, Adam Sylwestrzak, Heath McCrae, Josh Werry, John Carmen, Corry Lee Van, Matt Baer and Isaac Parker.
The skipper of the squad, Tammie Evans was delighted to be travelling to Sydney for what will be a memorable event for her and the team.
?I can?t wait to get to Sydney and be part of the Football4all Gala Day we?ve heard so much about it, it?s going to be awesome?.
Meanwhile her partner in crime in defence, Corry Lee Van was also enthusiastic about the trip.
?I can?t believe I?m going to Sydney, I?m so excited.?
The 2011 Just For Kicks tournament will be held in Wangaratta Friday September 16th if you would like to enter a team, 7-a-side small field, please contact Jack McNeilly on 0422379876 email mcneilly.jack.j@edumail.vic.gov.au
-By Mark Stavroulakis
