Three Fremantle players relished their chance on Monday to get involved with Starkick, an emerging grass roots football program that is supported by the Fremantle Dockers Foundation.
Bailey Banfield, Joel Hamling and Darcy Tucker lent a helping hand at the Coolbinia Bombers Junior Football Club, where the Starkick program has taken off.
Starkick provides an opportunity for children with special needs and all ability levels to play football in their community.
Banfield was delighted to see football being enjoyed by all.
“We’ve got boys and girls of all ages here and that’s pretty exciting. They’re all here having fun and playing footy with their mates, which is great. They’re awesome kids and they’re having a lot of fun,” Banfield said.
“Starkick was started by a couple of parents for their kids and it’s something that’s really growing rapidly, so we’re pretty stoked to be a part of it.
“They're one of our partners with the Fremantle Dockers Foundation, so to be able to get down here and help out some of the volunteers, it’s really cool and really important for us and for the club.
The initiative was developed by Rob Geersen, president of the Coolbinia Bombers, to create more sporting opportunities for children with special needs.
Geersen was thankful for the support the Fremantle Dockers Foundation have given to Starkick for the past five years.
“Starkick is all about embracing everyone in the community and especially with kids with special needs playing football,” Geersen said.
“It's the fifth year in a row we've had Fremantle Dockers players down here, just giving the kids an opportunity to have a kick with the stars that they watch on TV.”
Geersen said that Starkick was about the families as much as the kids.
“Probably the biggest thing Starkick provides is that it gives families the opportunity to come and be inside a community club," Geersen said.
"It's really grown since the Fremantle Dockers and the Fremantle Dockers Foundation have got on board from the exposure we’ve got.
“There are six clubs across Perth running Starkick programs and that has come from the support that Fremantle has given to the program from the first year that we kicked off.
"It’s just grown and grown every year since and it’s been fantastic.”
For more information on Starkick, please visit starkick.com.au to find a program near you.
