In 2019, Christies Beach Football Club (CBFC) in conjunction with Inclusive Sport SA and the SANFL formed a SANFL Inclusive League team for players aged 15 years and older with an intellectual disability or other integration difficulty.
The CBFC Inclusive team offers these players a competitive game in a safe and friendly environment with focus on the players developing game skills and social inclusion of the players.
In 2020 the club approached Leigh Creek Energy (LCK) to sponsor this inspiring team. As this was the first inclusive team in the Southern District LCK proudly agreed. With the team made up of 22 players with ages ranging from 15 – 55 years old, their enthusiasm for the game and club was evident when LCK attended the clubrooms to meet and greet the players.
The encouragement from each player to their fellow teammates and their love for the game was apparent as each received their own personalised hoodie from LCK.
CBFC gives these young men the chance to belong to a team where all players are welcomed.
The club has given these young men the opportunity to showcase their skills, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game and it gives them the chance to belong to a team where all players are welcomed and encouraged to play their hardest regardless of their disability.
“Seeing the big smiles on the players faces when they each received their hoodies made me feel proud to be part of a company that sponsors a wonderful team where all players are equal. The laughter throughout the clubroom was infectious and really showed me what sports teams should be about”- Tammie Salvemini – Sponsorship Coordinator
“It was a privilege to sponsor the Inclusive Team at CBFC, as an organisation LCK is always looking for opportunities to support great causes such as this Inclusive team. The CBFC shows what community spirit is all about” – Phil Staveley – Managing Director
“After having been an ambition for a number of years, we are so proud to finally be able to provide the opportunity for young people with a disability to play football. It is our way of using football to do good in our community, and it is only possible through hard work by volunteers and the generosity of great community-minded organisations like LCK” – Paul Daly – President, Christies Beach FC