2 minute read
COMMUNITY REPORT
It goes without saying 2020 has thrown down challenges our community has not seen in over a century. In an industry where we believed the love of sport could overcome most obstacles COVID-19 seemed to aim itself at the heart of who we are.
Our community engagement planning for season 2020 involved regular club and school visits and player chosen charitable partnerships through our leadership
Advertisement
Kristi Annear pods. These engagements were either cancelled or put on hold early in the year to safeguard the health of our athletes and others involved. Once the season got under way and physical distancing was the new norm sporting clubs returned to what they enjoyed most, being together. Whilst our visits in the community were limited, we committed to making the most of our time available. Ben Reid and WAFLW player Beatrice Devlyn attended Kingsway and ran an Auskick session, Aaron Breman and Sandon Page attended a Sorrento Duncraig training night and Hayden Kennedy and Kyle Stainsby attended Carine JFC vs Kalgoorlie game, handed out awards and spoke to the teams. Wil Hickmott coaches a junior team at Sorrento Duncraig and our little league games were enjoyed by our junior clubs at home games with a little legend chosen each week to run out on to the ground alongside the senior team. Keeping in touch with our players and checking in on their physical and mental health was a priority during the period the players were away from the club so weekly zoom meetings for all grades were set up by the coaches locally and regionally. In September the club answered a call for second-hand football boots which were to be gifted to players in the Kimberly. Subiaco’s Rowen Powell, a former Broome resident and West Coast Eagle said the delivery of quality boots would be welcomed by players in remote communities. “There are a lot of talented footballers up there who don’t have any football boots as it’s considered a luxury out of their reach”. Since the departure of Matt Debarro, our District Officer in early 2020, we have not had the benefit of a dedicated person coordinating our club and school visits. In light of this, the current state of the WAFC and the indeterminate future of the WAFL clubs involvement in talent and community the Subiaco FC has shown its ability, as in the past, to be innovative and has established its own Foundation to make a difference in the community.
“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.”
