The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has been announced as an official partner for International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD).
FFA is the governing body of all Australian football teams and is a part of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). It oversees all national teams, including the Caltex Socceroos, Westfield Matildas and Australian Pararoos.
Part of the partnership is Hands of Inclusion, a fundraising initiative where attendees of upcoming national team’s matches have the opportunity to donate and raise funds for IDPWD’s Social Enterprise Grant Program as well as funds for the Australian Pararoos team.
The Australian Pararoos are Australia’s National Team for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms acquired from stroke. The Australian Pararoos goal is to compete in the 2019 World Cup. To help them achieve this goal, 50 per cent of all money raised from the Hands of Inclusion will go towards the Australian Pararoos team.
“We are excited to be partnering International Day of People with Disabilities, supporting people with disabilities and happy to be able to help raise much needed funds for both IDPWD and the Australian Pararoos,” FFA head of national performance, Luke Casserly said.
Volunteering Services Australia is also a major supporter of the IDPWD campaign and sees the new partnership as an exciting opportunity for IDPWD as well as FFA and the Australian Pararoos.
“IDPWD is passionate about mainstream integration and allowing people with disabilities to achieve their goals and aspirations. The Australian Pararoos are a leading example of this and we are happy to be able to support them through the Hands of Inclusion as well as raise funds for the Social Enterprise Grant Program,” Volunteering Services Australia CEO, Simon Nugus said.
IDPWD is observed on December 3 each year, promoting celebration of diversity and inclusion with a focus on children and an opportunity for all stakeholders within communities, corporations and schools to celebrate the richness of diversity and the power of inclusion.