Soccer
Soccer (or football), is considered to be the world's most popular sport.
Canberra has a team called Canberra United who play in the National Women's Football League (the W-League).
Soccer is a great sport to foster the inclusion of people with a disability, often just joining mainstream clubs and teams. But there are also a number of modified versions of the game - including Wheelchair Soccer, Blind Soccer and Cerebral Palsy Soccer.
Local Soccer Opportunities
Football Connect
Football Connect is an inclusive soccer program that is run by Capital Football. The goal of Football Connect is to provide an opportunity for people with a disability to play soccer and create pathways from grassroots participation to state, national and international competition.
There are three different programs: the All Ability League, Futsal Fives and CP Football Program.
The All Ability League runs on Saturday mornings from 9:00-10:30am at the Hawker Football Centre and is the best place to start your soccer journey. It is aimed at ages 5 to open (male and female) and runs in the Spring months (October to November). Players learn the basics of the game and are linked with one of four local soccer clubs so they can join a team if they want to take their soccer further.
‘Futsal Fives’ introduces everyone to the five-a-side indoor version of football in a fun, fast-paced and friendly environment. Futsal Fives runs from 12:30-2pm at Radford College for seven weeks in October, November and December. It requires no previous experience and participants take part in skills, activities and games. Players also have the chance to practice and impress coaches before selections for the National Futsal Championships.
Cerebral Palsy Football (CP Football), which is played in a 7 a-side format, is designed for athletes with cerebral palsy or an acquired brain injury. The CP Football Program runs all year round and leads into the 2020 National CP Football Championships in October, held at Valentine Sports Park, Sydney. The program consists of skills and games to assist players with developing ball mastery which is crucial for success in CP football.
Football Connect has partnerships with Special Olympics and Para Football to provide players with the opportunity to try out for and participate in National and State tournaments. Within their All Ability community, they have had players represent Australia with the Pararoos, Special Olympic World Summer Games and at the INAS Global Games.
DAY: Saturday (All Ability League and Futsal Fives).
TIME: 9:00am-10:30am (All Ability League) or 12:30-2:00pm (Futsal Fives)
LOCATION: Hawker Football Centre (All Ability League) or Radford College (Futsal Fives).
WHO IT'S FOR: Mainly people with a disability, particularly people with a vision impairment, supported by volunteer guides
LEVEL: Introductory/Competitive
For more details, go to the Football Connect website, email Kelly Stirton at kelly.stirton@capitalfootball.com.au or give her a call on 6189 2211.