Wheelchair football’s Victorian return comes with challenges still to face

Football Victoria’s Wheelchair Football Volunteer Coordinator Daniel Levy admits that the onset of the pandemic was more than a challenge for all abilities football.

Across 2020 and 2021, the wheelchair competition barely played a handful of games. But that didn’t deter Levy or FV, who he says are now more supportive than ever.

Both wheelchair and powerchair football competitions have gotten underway after a very successful All Abilities April. The month saw come and try days held across the country as well as initiatives like Football West’s ‘Football for all’.

More than anything though, the return of wheelchair football in the state meant the most to the players.

“Everyone was frustrated for the past two years, because a lot of our players had other activities cancelled,” Levy told Soccerscene.

“They were just over the moon to be back and life getting back to normal. We had a good turnout and everyone was really rapt to be out.

“The first couple of weeks are always really tough because they’re not in the routine and some of them turned up late, but it’s all good.

“They have to rely on maxi taxis which often pick up more than one person at a time and drop people off on the way and things like that. Something always goes wrong at the last minute, but we’re pretty flexible.”

While the return is a major positive for the competition and inclusive football as a whole, the next stage for the organisers is to continue to grow the competition to a point where it can sustain itself better.

Victoria’s wheelchair football competition is run out of just one location in Keysborough currently, as there isn’t a high enough participation level to justify more.

“It’s a long haul for a lot of our players. One is in Chum Creek, near Healesville, we’ve got some that are out near the airport,” Levy explained.

“They have to come a long way, and that’s not cheap. If we were able to grow the competition, we could have a north and south competition so that people didn’t have so far to travel.”

Initiatives like All Abilities April will give wheelchair football and other inclusive competitions the chance to continue that growth.

“The All Abilities Month is an additional opportunity to get the word out there,” Levy continued.

“FV’s helping us with a marketing campaign, printing out posters that we can put up in leisure centres and things like that.

“It’s been a great initiative for us, and two of our players wrote their stories and that got published by FV as part of their social media campaign. We’re getting the word out there, but we certainly need to do more work to attract more players.”

For the players, who Levy says he’s ‘grown up with’ after being involved with wheelchair football for 17 years, the process provides them with more opportunities as well.

“To be honest for most of the players, it’s not that much about the competition, it’s mostly social,” he said.

“It’s being able to get out and be with people, spending time with them and having fun. Are all of our players diehard sportspeople? No they’re not.

“They want to get out and have some exercise, but most of their enjoyment comes from the social interaction.”

Staff Writer
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Football Coaches Australia and XVenture collaborate with Football Victoria to elevate coaching development

Football Coaches Australia (FCA) and XVenture (XV) have forged a ground-breaking partnership with Football Victoria (FV) to enhance the calibre of football coaching in the region.

This collaboration aims to empower and bolster football coaches through a strategic alliance with FV’s Club Coach Coordinator (CCC) programs, available at various levels.

The FV CCC packages encompass Basic, Bronze, Silver, and gold levels, each offering unique benefits:

Basic Package: Clubs enrolled in FV’s Basic CCC program will receive online resources and content along with monthly check ins via email with their FV program manager supplemented by FCA XV Essential Skills content on Leadership and specialized guidance on supporting teenagers.

Gold Package: At the other end of the scale, Gold CCC package, FV provides monthly sessions plans from the online platform with 3 club visits from program manager throughout the season to work with the CCC and coaches at the club.  alongside the prevailing advantages. CCCs at this level will unlock three modules within the FCA XV Essential Skills Program. Moreover, nine coaches within the club will receive access to the Foundations of Essential Skills Module.

Gold CCC package holders will enjoy an extraordinary opportunity, granting their entire community access to an exclusive webinar featuring top EQ and mind coach, Mike Conway. Conway, renowned for his pivotal four-year coaching role contributing to Australia’s historic FIFA World Cup Campaign in Qatar 2022, brings unparalleled expertise.

FCA CEO, Kelly Rourke, expressed her excitement about the partnership, stating:

“We’re thrilled to be able to work with Football Victoria as part of their innovative Club Coach Coordinator program, designed to provide coaches of any level access to a diverse range of resources and expertise. All for the improvement of the game.”

FCA President Gary Cole echoed Kelly’s sentiments:

“We are so pleased to partner with Football Victoria on this new Club Coach Coordinator program. Ongoing Coach Education is important and providing these wonderful online tools to help Clubs, Coordinators and Coaches is a great way to assist,” he said.

“FCA/XVenture College has helped almost 900 coaches from 20 countries with valuable ongoing growth and development opportunities and this relationship with Football Victoria is another fantastic initiative. Better Coaches, Better Players!”

Craig Moore, FV Coach Education Manager, emphasised the significance of this collaboration, remarking:

“I’m thrilled as this is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our CCC Program with two organisations that are setting the standards for coach support and development in this country and beyond. I can only see better times for our coaches in the future with this collaboration.”

For further information on Football Victoria’s CCC programs and to seize this unparalleled coaching advancement opportunity, kindly contact Football Victoria’s CCC program Manager Rob Taylor at Robert.Taylor@footballvictoria.com.au.

This alliance marks a pivotal stride in football coaching, empowering coaches to nurture their skills and lead with excellence.

Western United home games on the move

Western United Regional Football Facility

Western United will stage home games in Tarneit, as the long-awaited move to the West of Melbourne takes shape.

Wyndham City Council said on Tuesday that construction of the Regional Football Facility in Tarneit is nearly finished, allowing Western United to move in and begin preparations for the first home games.

Western United fans have supported the club throughout its history and will be able to see the country’s top footballers in their own neighbourhood in 2024.

The Liberty A-League Women’s home game against the Newcastle Jets on Sunday, March 17 is scheduled to be the first match, followed by the NPL Victoria and Isuzu UTE A-League Men fixtures.

Western United and Western Melbourne Group (WMG) Chairman Jason Sourasis described this as a turning point for the club, stating that everyone will be working tirelessly to be ready to host games as soon as possible.

“This is a momentous milestone for everyone involved in the project. It allows us to move into our permanent home, playing out of only the second rectangular stadium in the state of Victoria that is approved to play A-League Men and A-League Women games,” he stated via press release.

“The next phase of growth for Western United Football Club will be underpinned by a community and fan-first philosophy as we entrench our football club into the Wyndham community and grow our own brand empathy within the fastest-growing municipality in Australia.

“I thank everyone that has been on this journey for their unwavering belief, effort, support and patience.”

Western United Liberty A-League Women Head Coach Kat Smith expressed her excitement about playing in front of the Green and Black crowd in the first match at Tarneit.

“It’s such a privilege for myself, the players and all the fans who’ve joined our journey of building a football club to share this significant milestone of moving into our new headquarters and playing a home match for the very first time,” she added via press release.

“I’m extremely impressed with the facility, the equality in its design shows the respect the Club and our partners have for our A-League women and how invested they are in building an amazing future for female football.

“The girls will be absolutely buzzing to be playing in this historic opening match in Tarneit, we can’t wait.”

Wyndham City Council remains a key backer of Western United, with plans to build a cutting-edge stadium that will serve as a football home for cities throughout the West.

Western United and Wyndham City will provide as many updates as possible on confirmed matchdays, activities, and ticketing information for the Regional Football Facility. 

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