The West Australian Football Commission has teamed up with learning education provider SEDA and the Purple Hands Foundation to provide a valuable fundraising project to assist Starkick.

SEDA students engaged in several initiatives from July to September last year with money raised assisting with purchasing equipment and helping more children participate in the sport in a carnival.

Liam Thompson, SEDA Group Stakeholder Engagement Manager (WA), is proud of the results.

“The students raised $1600 to help run Starkick -> GoFundMe, running two sausage sizzles and auctioning off a Dockers jumper,” Thompson said.

“The idea for the initiative followed discussions with Purple Hands Foundation and the WAFC around providing an opportunity for a group of students aligned to the Fremantle Dockers Sport, Business & Leadership Program to run an organised AFL competition for primary school students to participate in.

“It ran for the first time in 2022 and continued in 2023, driving the WA Football’s Starkick motto, “If you want to play, we will find a way”.

“This will be an annual project for a group of students within the Fremantle Dockers Sport, Business & Leadership Program to run and build across years to come.

“The carnivals seek to celebrate sportsmanship, teamwork, fair play and inclusion through sport.

“A perpetual shield and trophy are awarded to the school deemed to have demonstrated these values throughout and leading into the carnival.”

Thompson declared the carnival a success on several fronts.

“The 2023 carnival saw an increase in the number of schools and teams playing in the competition.” he said.

“The feedback received from those schools participating was extremely positive and importantly, the kids participating had huge smiles on their faces all day.

“From a school point of view, the students were able to plan and deliver a whole-day carnival in a collaborative and positive manner.

“The skills developed through this project will assist them with further opportunities but importantly will give them memories that will stay with them forever.”

Rob Geersen, Inclusion Specialist at the West Australian Football Commission, is thankful for the support of SEDA.

“The contribution by the students to Starkick is a testament to everyone at SEDA and make no mistake they are making a difference to the lives of many children and their families,” he said.

“Starkick will be adding three more centres across WA this year, in Broome, Dunsborough and Redcliffe in the metropolitan area, providing more children living with disability the opportunity to participate in our great game." 
 

To find your nearest Starkick Centre head to www.starkick.com.au