All abilities soccer fun

The Phillip Island Soccer Club “All Abilities” soccer try out morning, held last week in beautiful weather at the Newhaven oval, was a great success.

Andrew Dean, who happened to see an all abilities soccer day in progress in Melbourne, was so struck by the joy and fun he witnessed, that he suggested to the Phillip Island Soccer Club, of which he is a committee member, that a similar program could be established here.

That was in 2020, but Covid had intervened until last week, when the program was finally able to get  underway, with Andrew and fellow committee member Gareth Kennedy at the helm.

Gene Parini, at Gipps Sport, was asked for assistance, and has been a huge help, printing flyers and promoting the event, Andrew said.

Invitations to Interchange and Connecting to Australia, based in Wonthaggi, Yooralla at Leongatha and Scope at San Remo were sent out . . . and about 30 excited participants arrived at the oval on Tuesday, to play the game.

Volunteers were on hand to pass on their skills, and soon everyone was enjoying kicking around soccer balls together.

“It was awesome. Everyone had a ball, and they are all keen to come back next week,” said Andrew.

Initially planned is a four week All Abilities trial period on Tuesdays, and if the participants  would like to continue, then we will keep it going, said Andrew.

“In fact, if anyone else in the community . . . abled and disabled . . . would like to join in and kick a soccer ball around the oval on Tuesday mornings between 10am and 11 am  we would love them to come along.”

Andrew said the aim of the All Ability sessions is to promote inclusiveness and the game of soccer to everyone.

“Just because you have some sort of ailment shouldn’t mean you can’t get outdoors and have a go . . . because you can, and our Club wants to make this happen.”

The Phillip Island Soccer club is providing all of the equipment necessary, and is hopeful that the program will grow.

If last week’s session was anything to go by, it is off to a flying start.

“I believe this is the first time soccer has been made available to all abilities in South Gippsland, and our Club is excited for this Tuesday event to continue.”

Andrew extended a warm invitation to people of all abilities to come along . . . and that it would be great if the able bodied got involved and helped out as well.

The sessions run on Tuesdays at the Newhaven oval between 10 and 11 am, weather permitting.