Football NSW Media Release: Football4all Gala Day kick’s goals in 2012
A Football NSW initiative introduced in 2009, Football4all gives people with a disability or special needs an avenue to enjoy a wonderful day of football with family and friends, at no expense.
It was a carnival like atmosphere as competitors from various age groups took part in multiple competition free matches.
Eleven organisations such as Blue Kangaroos (Blue Mountains), Nepean Soccer Dragons, Titans FC (Sutherland), Open Goals Kings Langley, Freeman Socca Kidz (Southern Districts), Special Olympic North Shore, St Clare?s High Taree, West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook FC, Roseland Sports Aquatic Centre, The Disability Trust ? White Knights (Illawarra), Purple Hearts (Eastern Suburbs) all participated in the 2012 Football4all Gala Day.
Nepean Soccer Dragons? Megan Potter celebrated a wonderful day of football after being crowned the ?Football4all Fair Play? winner presented by former Socceroos captain and Football NSW Technical Director Alex Tobin.
Special guests such as Pararoos stars Chris Pyne, Ben Atkins, Jack Williams and Brett Fairhall as well as Central Coast Mariners technical director Lawrie McKinna and Western Sydney?s John Tsatsimas all took their time to interact with Football4all participants and their families and friends.
The event again attracted significant media presence with SBS on site shooting the day?s proceedings which will appear on its official website www.theworldgame.com.au in coming weeks.
The continual growth of the Football4all tournament promoted Football NSW?s commitment to special needs football. This commitment was reaffirmed by Football NSW CEO Eddie Moore.
?Football NSW is committed to supporting opportunity for people with disabilities to participate in football as players, coaches, referees or administrators and we are committed to developing an environment where accessibility and diversity are valued and nurtured.
?Football4all has now been running for four years now and is going from strength to strength, I want to congratulate everyone who participated in the event and of course thank all the volunteers and staff who made this event possible.
?Football4all is a fantastic initiative which Football NSW will continue grow and develop for years to come.
?Additionally, Football4all coincided with Football Federation Australia?s (FFA) recently launched Disability Football Month (June), aimed at assisting with the promotion and development of football across all levels and abilities.
?Football4all represented a fantastic opportunity for groups involved in this year?s tournament to be exposed on a national level for their programs and dedication to the growth of special needs football.
?I urge more organisations and participants to get behind this wonderful initiative in 2013 where it will only get bigger and stronger.?
Following on from the Football4all theme, Football NSW recently announced the signing of NOVA Employment for the Gala Day celebrations.
NOVA Employment joined in on the Football4All festivities by assisting with recruiting volunteers on the day who put in a tremendous effort to make the day that more special.
In conjunction with the Football4all theme also for the month of June, Football NSW hosted a Special Needs interactive course held at Valentine Sports Park on Monday 28th of May.
The ?Working with Special Needs Kids? interactive workshop was attended by over 30 coaches which was led by Australian National Community Coach Education Manager Norm Boardman.
Football NSW wishes to thank all the clubs, associations and staff who were involved in making the day such a success and would like to especially congratulate all the participants, coaches and family members for their inspirational support for Football4all.
