The first ever Abilities Ball was successfully held by the Kelmscott Bulldogs Football Club on Saturday evening, following the round 10 All Abilities game between the Bulldogs and Swan Districts.
Kelmscott’s Abilities team was established in 2021 by Rob Turner to create a safe space for people with physical and mental disabilities to play football and come together as a team.
The first Abilities ball for the Bulldog’s Club followed the unfortunate, alleged theft of the team’s jumpers.
Although most of the uniforms were returned in a less-than-ideal condition, some were missing.
Mr Turner said the team was already at a disadvantage and the ball would help raise funds to ease the team’s cost-of-living crisis.
“It takes a great amount of volunteer effort and fundraising to facilitate the participation of the award winning All Abilities Football and Community Inclusion Program hosted by the Kelmscott Bulldogs Football Club,” he said.
“The joy of such great program provides aspiring athletes living with disability and their great community support the chance to play AFL and be part of their community sporting.
“The results are dramatic and life changing, building participant self-esteem and social inclusion.
“Unfortunately, this year, the football club has found hardship with cost-of-living impacts and the All Abilities Team has suffered effects from dramatic NIDIS changes. In addition, the team suffered the effects of a thoughtless theft.
“Although majority of the jumpers were recovered, it has left the teams uniforms damaged and some missing. The impact is emotional.”
The ball was embraced by excited club members and All Abilities players along with their family and friends, after the Bulldogs won 55 to 30 in their pre-ball match.
