CPL COMMUNITY
Touchstone – Volume 31
GET
IN THE
GAME!
Jay Larkins tells us about his
community football program that’s
changing the way the game is played
in Queensland.
Is it soccer or football? It’s the age-old
debate that divides players, spectators,
and fans around the world. No matter
what you call it, football is, by far, the
most popular sport played by Australians.
Over 1.1 million Aussies [1] pull up their
socks and lace up their boots to play the
game credited for the careers of David
Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi
and our very own Tim Cahill.
In the North Brisbane suburb of Keperra,
you’ll find the next generation of football
elite. Under the watchful eye of Jay
Larkins, the Brisbane Paralympic Football
Program is making leaders on and off the
field.
“The idea for the Brisbane Paralympic
Football Program (BPFP) came after my
son Jarrod was diagnosed with cerebral
palsy,” Jay said.
“He wanted to play football but
because, at that stage of his life, he
was unable to walk or run as well as
most children his age, he
couldn’t participate in what’s
known as mainstream
football.”
A proud football fan
himself, and not one to be
discouraged, Jay
approached Westside
Grovely Football Club.
With the Club’s support, a
handful of passionate
parents established the
first inclusive football
program in Brisbane.
Its aim? To ensure all
members of the community,
no matter what their ability,
have the opportunity to
play football.
[1] Australian Sports Commission, AusPlay survey, 2017, https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/
football-australia-s-most-played-sport-with-1-1m-participants
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