Joondalup-Kinross Jets Junior Football Club have marked 10 years of Starkick at the club with a gala day for the club and the community.

The celebration included past and present players, reflecting on how far the program has come at the Jets. 

Starkick Coordinator Janine Gaskell has been volunteering at the club since its inception in 1994. Her role includes leading the Starkick initiative for a decade. “10 years celebrating with our past and present players was an amazing morning,” Gaskell said.

“Friendships that have been made over the years bring tears to my eyes and it was a celebration of inclusion. “The kids have been given the chance to play at Optus Stadium at an AFL game and at the WAFL Grand Final which was special for the children.”

Janine was there from the humble beginnings. “When we first started in 2016, we had eight children which has grown over the 10 years to 30,” she said. “We have some come and go and obviously this program doesn’t suit every single need, but our motto is “If you want to play, we will find a way”.

The joy Starkick brings to the children is priceless for Gaskell. “Watching the smiles on these children faces is worth every second of my 10 years,” she said.

“Every child should have the opportunity to play a sport and have fun.  “For the families it has given them belief their child can be involved in a sport and club. “Some families thought their child would never be able to participate in a football game, but thanks to Starkick they can.

“It's bought joy, tears, warmth, inclusion, friendships to an amazing bunch of kids, parents, grandparents and carers.” 

The growth of Starkick has seen benefits across WA. “Starkick is community driven, and our club has been an amazing support from day one,” Gaskell said.

“Across WA we now have 32 clubs which is absolutely incredible and means hundreds of kids get a chance to play a sport that they love as well as feeling part of a safe environment having fun.

 “I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this amazing program over the past 10 years at JKJFC.”

Shez Gibbs-Hooper and Quentin Hooper are the parents of Paul who is part of the Jets’ Starkick program.

“To be involved in the 10-year celebration was a fantastic experience and it’s amazing to see how the club and the program has developed not only at the Jets but across the state,” Gibbs-Hooper said.

Her son and husband are heavily involved.

“Paul started in the second year of Starkick at the Jets in 2017 after having a go at mainstream Auskick, so this is his ninth year,” she said.

“As he’s turned 16, he has taken on more of a mentoring role to the younger kids this year.

“Paul’s dad Quentin is the coach alongside Janine Gaskell and has been doing this for a few years.

“He has also taken on the role for the Youth Integrated League which the WA All Abilities

Football Association started up last year.

“This has all been directly because of Starkick.

“Although the Auskick program and coordinators were welcoming of Paul, as parents we quickly realised he would probably get left behind as their program didn’t really cater to his special needs.

“We joined the Jets as one of Quentin’s old school friends was the Vice President there and helped launch the Starkick program.

“At that stage they were only the second Starkick team in WA and as soon as we met Janine, we knew we were in the right place.

Shez is full of praise for the environment created at the club.

“Paul’s disability is not a visible one and we often have people say he looks fine, what’s wrong with him,” she said.

“My answer is there’s just a few things he does differently to others, and I guess this resonates with Starkicks mantra of, “if you want to play, we’ll find a way!”

“It also resonates with us as a family as our motto is to “Always See the Ability!”

“Starkick has helped us all grow, feel part of a community, given us friends and teammates and above all made us very proud of Paul.”

The Hooper family also provided a poignant moment at the 10-year celebrations.

“Quentin wanted to say a few words on behalf of the parents and also for the club and Janine,” Shez said. “Paul and I then talked about doing something from the kids’ perspective, so I said what if I come up with a poem and you read it out?"

“He was chuffed to do it and yes it was a very proud moment watching him read it out in front of his team, parents, families, carers and the club. “There were a few tears in the room.”

Here is the poem Shez wrote.

‘If You Want to Play’

When you’re born with special needs
Or acquire them along the way,
you’re already faced with challenges
almost every single day.

But like all other kids around
we all have a football dream,
to put on our boots, have a kick
and be part of a team.

10 years ago, and along the way
we have all met Janine,
“If you want to play,” she said
“The Jets will be your team!”

With our heroes’ numbers on the back
we all put our jumpers on,
from dodgeball, handballs, a throw or kick
we’ve all found our way to belong.

So, remember, you’re now and always will
be a Starkick Joondalup Jet,
that day we all got to play footy
is a day none of us will ever forget.

The WA football community congratulates Joondalup-Kinross Jets FC.