THE West Australian Football Commission launched a new NAB AFL Auskick pilot program for children with Autism at Patersons Stadium this week, with over 50 participants signing up to join in the fun.
AFL Brownlow Medallist and program ambassador Shane Woewodin was on hand to welcome participants and provide some tips, saying he was proud to support such a “fantastic concept”.
“It is great to bring these kids together for this opportunity and to see them having such a great time. Just to be involved with something like this is fantastic and I hope it’s something we can build upon,” he said.
The new NAB AFL Auskick sessions are being run in partnership with Curtin University Paediatric students and WAFC trained staff, while parent involvement is also being encouraged as much as possible.
For children with Autism, the benefits of participating in a team sport are enormous. However this means overcoming many fears and behavioural patterns, to learn to work as part of a team.
Football in particular leads children to understand and deal with unexpected physical contact, while also improving physical skills and fitness and most importantly, it provides a wonderful social environment from early childhood through to adult life.
The long term goal is to support the children and help them engage in playing football, whether it is at home, at school or as part of the general NAB AFL Auskick program, and later with local football teams.
The program will be run at Claremont Oval over eight weeks from October to December, with children split into two age groups including 5-8 year olds and 9-12 year olds. The first three sessions will be skill based and the final session will finish with a grid game.
Special mention must go to WAFC staff members Sam Cousens, Joe Brierty and Hayley Pullyblank for pulling the program together and forming the partnership with Curtin University.
Picture: Program ambassador Shane Woewodin with participants at Patersons Stadium.
