Kickability Online Program Drives Footy ParticipationFriday, July 29, 2022 - 12:30 PM - by Mark Readings

The Kickability Online training program has been a resounding success since being introduced during COVID lockdowns two years ago. 

Back in 2020, the WA All Abilities Football Association devised and implemented 30 sessions over a 15-week period, which were captured using an iPhone by on screen coaches Ben Pieters and Kai Marchetto. 

Eighteen months later and the Kickability Online Program has been created to provide access via an online platform, allowing 7–17-year-olds with and without disabilities to participate in two weekly online football training sessions from home, or in a school-based environment. 

Hayden Marchetto, Executive Officer WA All Abilities Football Association, is delighted with the response from the community. 

“It’s been extremely positive, and we had great assistance from the AFL WA Talent Academy team and players, the WAFC and the Seda Group. 

All sessions were filmed onsite at the WA Talent Academy Gym, with production carried out by The Periscope Crew. 

We’re currently building a database to ensure we secure a large data source for the Telethon Kids Institute and UWA Research to achieve Key Evaluation measures,” Marchetto said. 

The goal of the program is to introduce participants from anywhere in WA to the benefits of regular football-based skills training with a view to building them into club and school-based participants and fans of Aussie Rules. 

Of particular focus is kids with disabilities who may never have received any formal exposure to football, with the vision to make them lifelong participants. 

Kickability Online is training online, providing 30 sessions of 30 minutes of physical activity with each exercise running for 60 seconds. 

Participants require: 

• Access to the internet 

• Space in your loungeroom, bedroom or classroom 

• A footy or any ball 

• Drink bottle to keep hydrated 

• A chair so we can also do some seated exercises. 

Kickability Online can be done any time, any day and anywhere with all videos saved onto the website when you sign in. 

Marchetto stresses the many benefits of the program. 

“It aims to improve the independence, well-being, self-esteem, and life skills of people with disabilities by participating in football. 

We also believe the project will help us engage users from across the state via online training sessions, demonstrating the desire for people with disabilities to take part in formal programs. 

We believe if we can carry out this program successfully, we’ll have a sustainable model which can provide great support to disabled athletes, their families and other sporting organisations,” he said. 

Check out the webpage for more information:  https://www.allabilitiesfooty.com.au/kickability-online