“
All members of society
deserve to be involved with
sport. It gives people a sense
of belonging. I strongly
believe no matter your ability,
it is your right to be involved,
Jay said.
“
It’s this unwavering passion for inclusion
that has seen the program succeed. From
its humble beginnings of just 12 players,
the program has grown to accommodate
over 100 participants and is the endorsed
provider for inclusive football of Football
Queensland.
Mylestones Employment’s Regional
Manager Quita Brown was first introduced
to the BPFP eight years ago and has seen
the power of the program firsthand.
“It’s an inclusive environment where
everyone can participate and enjoy sport,
connect with their community, make
friends and develop confidence. You
watch people grow before your eyes,”
Quita said.
As with all local sporting clubs, the BPFP
relies on sponsors and supporters. Quita
said it wasn’t hard to choose to support
the BPFP after meeting Jay.
“Jay has devoted his life to improving the
lives, health and happiness of people with
disabilities. He completes 75 per cent of
his work on a voluntary basis and he truly
deserves to be acknowledged for his
tireless efforts,” Quita said.
“We’re really excited to be sponsors of the
BPFP and proud to sponsor the sports
jerseys for all the volunteers and staff.”
Since its inception in 2006, the BPFP has
been a breeding ground for talented
players. One of those players is Jay’s son,
Jarrod. He’s represented both Queensland
and Australia, as well as being a mentor
to kids with cerebral palsy off the field.
“For Jarrod to go from not being able to
walk the same as other kids his age when
he was five, to having the pleasure of
representing Australia 17 times in the
sport he loves speaks for itself,” Jay says
proudly.
“It’s not just about representative football,
and you certainly don’t have to be an elite
player to get involved. We want everyone
to experience football, no matter your
ability.”
Whether you think it’s called soccer or
football, one thing is for sure – the
Brisbane Paralympic Football Club is
leading the way for inclusive and adaptive
sporting programs in Queensland. They
are leaders, champions, and passionate
advocates for accessible football, and we
can’t wait to see what they achieve next!
If you’re looking for an inclusive
sporting team to join, check out
these websites:
• Brisbane Paralympic Football Program
(Soccer) -
brisbaneparalympicfp.wordpress.com
• Modified Rugby Program (Union) -
mymrp.org
• Riding for the Disabled - rdaq.org.au
Turn over the page to read more
about accessible sports!
CPL – Choice, Passion, Life
13