Albany Starkick team head to Perth for Hand in Hand CrossingWednesday, July 5, 2023 - 2:46 PM

A travelling party of close to 20 participants and families from Albany Starkick team will be taking part in the inaugural Hand in Hand Crossing to highlight disability inclusion. 

Ahead of the Fremantle Football Club’s Purple Hands Round more than 500 participants and families from Starkick Community Clubs, WA All Abilities Football Association and Fremantle Football Club will unite to cross Matagarup Bridge.

Albany Starkick co-ordinator, Mitch Tuffley is looking forward to the crossing prior to the game.

“I think it’s just the beginning of something that will build into an established event that’s going to be recognised across the country,” Tuffley said.

“It will be great to see the bridge filled with hundreds of people together to celebrate what Starkick has done for kids and community sport.”
Tuffley has been co-ordinator of Albany Starkick from its inauguration just over a year ago, and his dedication to the program and the participants has produced remarkable results.

“All the program needed was someone to put their hand up and get the word out there to start our team of Starkickers we have today,” Tuffley said.

Last year the program was originally planned to run alongside the Auskick season, but the increase in participants signing up as well as the positive changes to the kids’ lives, saw Tuffley push the season out a few more weeks.

“The response from the community has been really strong with plenty of offers with support, messages, help from all sorts of individuals and businesses,” he said.

More information can be found here

“It shows that so many people really care, through that we have certainly increased the awareness of Starkick and how its helping kids with disability. 

“Feedback from parents is the most rewarding, to know it’s having an impact, hearing that their kids now take a footy with them when going away or want to kick the footy after school, I’m happy with that!”

Tuffley has big plans for Albany Starkick and he credits playing footy as a kids as the reason why he is so passionate about this program.

“I always reflect on how important footy and sport meant to me as a kid,” he said.

“I’ve got so many strong memories of playing and just being around the footy club as a young kid, I thought, why should these kids miss out on the opportunity to experience the same, just because they are unable or don’t get the opportunity to participate in mainstream sports?”

“I think there are still plenty of kids and parents out there that think they may not be capable of joining Starkick, but that’s not true, there are no limitations.”

This weekend as part of the Purple Hands Round, Starkick participants across the state have been given the opportunity to play on Optus Stadium at half time – a dream come true for two Albany participants.

“They are very keen and excited, little do they know what’s to come,” Tuffley laughed. 

“The big moment will be when they run out on to Optus stadium with thousands of people watching them, I can’t wait to see their reactions!”

The Hand in Hand Crossing starts at 12.30pm on Sunday 9 July prior to the Fremantle v Carlton game. For more information, visit www.starkick.com.au