Football Queensland (FQ) has renewed its partnership with the Brisbane Paralympic Football Program (BPFP), with Meakin Park named as the new home of the Queensland Para-Football team.
The BPFP was established initially as a way to encourage children of all abilities to take the opportunity to be a part of a club, a team and to train with experienced coaches. The program is conducted by volunteers who have professional experiences working with people with disabilities and it has now grown to see numerous participants taking part week in, week out.
The BPFP has a number of players in the current state and national Paralympic football teams, with more national representatives than most professional clubs across the globe. However, the program is not just about advanced athletes, it encourages fun and family participation in an effort to get young people with a disability to stay active and healthy and to perform to the best of their ability.
FQ CEO Robert Cavallucci acknowledged the significance of the partnership for both FQ and BPFP.
“This partnership achieves a key strategic objective to provide opportunities for Queenslanders to participate in football, regardless of age, ability or life stage,” he said.
“The BPFP will work with FQ to promote the development pathway of Para-Football and all abilities football within the Queensland football community.
“In addition, FQ will support a Queensland team to participate in the 2021 National Para-Football Championships in Sydney later this year. This will be the first time in five years that a Queensland team has competed at Nationals.
“FQ is committed to providing the same level of administrative and operational support to the Queensland Para-Football Team as it does to all other state youth teams each year.”
Founded in 2006 by director Jay Larkin, the Brisbane Paralympic Football Program has been Football Queensland’s endorsed Inclusive Football Provider for over a decade.
“We have had a partnership with FQ for many years, and I have no doubt that this renewed commitment will take the BPFP to the next level,” Larkin said.
“We are delighted that FQ will help us promote all abilities football through their media and marketing team as well as providing coaching and financial support to send our team to Nationals.
“It is an exciting time to be involved in all abilities football and after years of hard work in Brisbane we are determined to grow the game in partnership with FQ to new markets around the state.
“Football is Queensland’s game of choice, for all, for life, and we can’t wait to get started at FQ headquarters at Meakin Park.”
Those interested in seeking further information about Queensland’s Para-Football Program or All Abilities Football can contact FQ at allabilities@footballqueensland.com.au.
