In a historic turn of events, the West Australian Football Commission (WAFC) has received its first-ever grant from the Channel 7 Telethon Trust. This momentous occasion was celebrated at the Telethon Giving Ceremony, where WAFC's all-abilities football program, Starkick, was among the 107 beneficiaries announced. This partnership is set to be a game-changer for Starkick, a unique program designed to provide football opportunities to children with disabilities aged 5 to 17 years.

Starkick stands apart as a program that runs alongside Auskick and junior football clubs, making it accessible to a broad range of young players. Until now, Starkick has operated on a 100% volunteer basis, with no financial support, relying solely on the generosity of the community. However, with Telethon stepping in as a partner, a new era of possibilities has opened up for this inspiring initiative.

Rob Geersen, the Starkick Coordinator, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, "Up until now, Starkick was 100 per cent volunteer-run, with no funding provided, and the program reliant on community support. So, with Telethon coming on board, it will allow us to put resources in place to deliver and grow participation numbers across the State." This partnership reinforces the core philosophy of Starkick: "if you want to play, we will find a way."

Troy Kirkham, the Executive Manager of Game Development and Community Football at the West Australian Football Commission, shares this enthusiasm, expressing his delight in teaming up with Telethon. "It's fantastic to partner with an organization like Telethon to continue to grow and provide opportunities for participants, no matter their background, ability, and circumstance, to play Australian Rules Football through the WAFC Starkick program."

The WAFC's Starkick opportunity to become a Telethon beneficiary marks a significant milestone in their mission to make sports inclusive and accessible to all. It is a testament to the incredible impact that partnerships like these can have on the lives of young athletes, their families, and the community as a whole. With the support of Telethon, Starkick is set to reach new heights, making the dream of playing Australian Rules Football a reality for even more children, regardless of their abilities or circumstances and reinforcing their motto “If you want to play, we will find a way”.