Starkick and WA All Abilities Football Association Hand in Hand for Disability InclusionMonday, July 3, 2023 - 2:10 PM

The West Australian Football Commission and the Fremantle Football Club will join forces this weekend to highlight disability inclusion.

Ahead of the Fremantle Football Club’s Purple Hands Round, WA football will unite to cross Matagarup Bridge – Hand in Hand Crossing.

More than 500 representatives from the community, government, and those working towards disability inclusion are expected at the event.

Those attending will include players and families from Starkick Community Clubs, Perth Football League Integrated Teams, and the Fremantle Football Club.

A key part of the day will take place at Optus Stadium.

Teams from the Integrated Football League will play the curtain raiser to the Fremantle v Carlton game on Sunday, July 9.

Then, at half time in the AFL match, Starkick players from across WA will stage a series of grid games in a celebration of football disability inclusion.

Hayden Marchetto, Executive Officer at the WA All Abilities Football Association (WAAFA), is excited about the initiative.

“We wanted to elevate the profile of the Fremantle Dockers Make our Mark Round as well as shine a light on the shared values of inclusion and community engagement with their Purple Hands Foundation.

“We took inspiration from The Long Walk, and the success and impact this has had on raising awareness and promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through football. 

“We understand the role of inclusion that footy provides, and the idea for Hand in Hand – Crossing for Inclusion was conceived from that.

“The power of our game will bring groups of individuals with disabilities and their community footy clubs, their families, and community members across the iconic Matagrup Bridge to Optus Stadium.

“The purpose of this crossing is to represent the bridges we can build as a community to ensure that people with disabilities are included, and supported in all aspects of life, including footy,” Marchetto said.

By coming together, the event aims to create a more inclusive and accepting society where everyone can participate and belong to our great game.

The Starkick initiative is the WAFC’s junior program supporting children with disability in playing football at community level.

The Integrated Football League is the WAAAFA senior competition for people with an intellectual disability.
The Hand in Hand initiative aligns with the WAFC and the Fremantle Football Club.

The Dockers have a rich history with community engagement through their outreach programs and wider state activations.

Their involvement provides a large platform of reach for inclusion with their endorsement and power to spread the message, supporting individuals with disabilities through their love of footy.

Telethon is a partner of Starkick and WAAFA.