Inclusive program called AllPlay increases number of children with disabilities playing
While it's the final countdown to AFL grand final, this weekend some young footy players are already kicking serious goals, just by getting involved. Researchers and the AFL have dramatically expanded their inclusive program called all-play and hope it will increase the number of children with disabilities giving the game a go.
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00:00 The smiles say it all and every small success is a source of joy.
00:07 I make you feel happy.
00:11 Fourteen year old Mackenzie says playing footy has helped her cope with ADHD and overcome
00:16 social anxiety.
00:17 It was like a second family, like they all accepted me for me. They didn't expect any
00:23 more than what I could do.
00:24 Monash University researchers and the AFL say their All Play Footy Toolkit now offers
00:30 more than 360 online resources, coaching courses, practical tips and strategies for each disability.
00:37 And the inclusion that you can generate from that can make such a big difference to a footy
00:42 club.
00:43 It's so important because it's just a basic human right. It's building on the great strengths
00:49 and gut instincts that these amazing coaches already have.
00:54 Just under 4% of the kids enrolled in Auskick are identified as having a disability and
01:00 it's hoped that will increase along with the All Play program's expansion online.
01:05 Last year we had seven kids in our team with Neurodiverse. It was unreal just to see them
01:10 involved.
01:10 Helping build empathy and understanding.
01:12 It feels fine. It's just good how everyone gets to fit in with everyone else.
01:18 We've got a kid in our team who has a disability and I've never noticed that.
01:24 And for parents that's all that matters.
01:26 All of his mates just seeing him as being one of them, he's no different to any of these
01:30 other boys.
01:31 Helping kids soar on and off the field.
01:34 It's like I wake up and I'm like, no I can actually do this. I'm going to have a good
01:37 day.
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