Football Federation Australia (FFA) has announced its men’s national football team for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms acquired from stroke – the Pararoos – are playing their first match on home soil since the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games.
“Our players are absolutely thrilled with the news that they will have the chance to represent Australia in Australia this month,” Pararoos head coach Kai Lammert said. “Aside from two players, Chris Pyne and David Barber, none of our current squad have had the opportunity to play in front of their family and friends on home soil before, so this truly is a fantastic opportunity for our boys.
“Many of our squad members weren’t even born when the Pararoos last played in Australia, so this will be a really unique event that celebrates our players as the elite CP footballers that they are, but also highlights FFA’s focus on diversity and inclusion.”
The Pararoos will be competing against Canada at an international friendly that has been made possible with support from the FIFA Forward 2.0 Football Development Program which will assist preparations for the IFCPF Nations Championships to be held in Sant Cugat, Spain, next June.
Australia is 10th ranked in the world while Canada is 11th, with 100 per cent of ticket sales going directly back to the Pararoos program so they can continue to grow and develop inclusive opportunities.
The game is being held at Cromer Park, Sydney on November 30 with kick-off at 5.30pm. Gates open at 3.30pm.
For information and tickets go to: pararoos.com.au.
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