OUR FOUNDATION DINNER 2022

A Note Of Thanks

On behalf of my fellow Board Members and Dinner Committee, I would like to thank everyone who supported and attended our annual Sydney FC Foundation Dinner.

We were overwhelmed by the support we received and are pleased to note that our Powerchair Football Community Program launched in July 2022 and was fully funded by funds raised at the Dinner.

The tag line for our Foundation Dinner is "enriching the lives of our community, one pass at a time" and thanks to the generosity of donors and sponsors at our Foundation Dinner, we have already been able to positively impact over 25 families by introducing them to the wonders of powerchair football, through our community program

The Foundation is very grateful to Prezzee Digital Gift Cards, PointsBet, and Fineline Trailers for all their support that made the impact generated by this program possible. You can read all about the Program in this report

At the dinner, it was great to hear from Paralympic Gold Medallist, Maddison De Rozario who gave insights into her experiences with disability community sports programs and the potential impact of our programs

I would also like to thank our Sydney FC Powerchair Team and parents, Jason Ryan and Michelle Ball, both of whom spoke so beautifully to the impact the sport can have and has had on their own lives Their first hand experience has helped us shape the Program that others now enjoy.

Finally, a special thank you to the entire 2022 Foundation Dinner Committee, you truly helped make the event the success it was I am always so grateful for your support.

I cannot wait for next year's event where we will look to grow our disability sports provision - but more on our plans for 2023 at the end of this report!

ALINA BARLOW SYDNEY FC FOUNDATION DEPUTY CHAIR

SYDNEY FC FOUNDATION LAUNCH AUSTRALIA'S FIRST DEDICATED COMMUNITY PROGRAM FOR POWERCHAIR FOOTBALL

In July 2022, Sydney FC Foundation launched the first Community Powerchair Football Program of its kind The Program is funded by the generosity of the donors and sponsors from the Sydney FC Foundation Dinner earlier in the year.

Following its launch, we delivered three holiday clinics introducing 25 players and their families to the sport of powerchair football.

Clinics were held across various venues in Sydney, including Valentine Sports Park, Johnny Warren Sports Centre and Five Dock Leisure Centre allowing participants to come to us from all over NSW.

As part of the Program, we were able to provide the necessary equipment, a dedicated care assistance team, and coaching required at each individual clinic for participants to get the full Powerchair Football experience – all free of charge to each participant

As well as receiving a Sydney FC kit for the clinic, participants were joined by Sydney FC superstars past and present including Alex Brosque, Rhyan Grant, Jaiden Kucharski and Charlotte McLean.

Haley and Mitch McLean’s daughter, Ruby, took part in the inaugural Powerchair Football Holiday Program in July

“The Sydney FC Foundation Powerchair Clinic did not disappoint,” said Haley. “I’ve got so many thoughts and emotions that are impossible to articulate, the whole clinic has been so well done, Ruby had an absolute ball."

Mitch added: “To watch Ruby play and interact with others and not be seen as her disability, but instead as the ray of sunshine she is, is just beyond words."

After just two days, Ruby was quick to tell everyone in attendance she had “found her team” in Sydney FC and that she had also “found her friends” thanks to the sport.

Sydney FC Powerchair Head Coach

Jason Ryan, who led the three holiday clinics said, “I had such a great time delivering the Program. Watching everyone engage with the football and each other is so rewarding "

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Venues Across Sydney

25

Families Positively Impacted

We are very fortunate to have three fantastic Supporting Partners of our Powerchair Football Community Program in Prezzee, PointsBet and Fineline Trailers.

After attending our October holiday clinic, CEO of Supporting Partner Prezzee, Jamie Samaha said, “our mission is to share the ‘gift of magic’, and it was incredible to share the gift of football with a group of inspirational young people and their families.”

PointsBet, enabled the Program to host its first 'adults only' clinic of the program in November Following the clinic, PointsBet Head of Stakeholder Relations, Nathan Hinde said: "At PointsBet, we were proud to partner with the Sydney FC Foundation to bring Powerchair Football to the community."

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Days Of Powerchair Football Delivered

$0

Cost To All Participants

"Our business is built on innovation and a love of sport, so the opportunity to help bring the wonderful world of football to a new group of participants was one we could not pass up,” he added

Fineline Trailers made travelling to different venues possible by helping to design and build Sydney FC Foundation with its own bespoke trailer to transport their powerchairs and equipment

Fineline Trailers, Company Director, Brent Coghlan, said: “we are excited to be involved in this joint project with Sydney FC Foundation and we hope the new trailer will be instrumental in helping Sydney FC Foundation promote and grow the sport ”

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS WHO HAVE PROUDLY SUPPORTED THIS INITIATIVE:

To celebrate International Day of Persons with Disability on Saturday 3 December, Sydney FC Foundation collaborated with Allianz Stadium and I’MPossible to give over 60 people with a disability the ultimate Allianz Stadium and Sydney FC matchday experience.

Attendees from all over Sydney and NSW took part in the unique experience We welcomed people of all ages with our youngest being 6, all the way up to our oldest participant at 66 years old.

Wanting to create a full Sydney FC matchday experience, the Foundation treated participants to a pre-event locker room experience, Sydney FC playing kit followed by a run out on to the field through the tunnel and an afternoon of fun and games on the beautiful Allianz Stadium turf.

Speaking about they day, Foundation Chair, Jenny Abood said, “we have seen the need to help children and adults of all abilities so they can enjoy the beautiful game of football ”

"The looks on participants faces as they ran on to the field to massive rounds of applause was absolutely fabulous,” she added

Nathan Teong, father of participant George said:

"It was just phenomenal. The opportunity to get out there to play on and see the new stadium was great.”

“George loved every minute of it,” he added

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Participants

66

Age Of Youngest Participant

On his own experience, George, aged 6, said “football has always looked fun to play. I really enjoyed playing at the stadium.”

Sydney FC Foundation would like to thank Allianz Stadium for their support in making this event a reality.

Sydney FC Foundation was delighted to partner with I’MPossible to deliver football and fitness activity at this event for all participants. I’MPossible is a life changing program for young people with a disability

Age Of Oldest Participants

Different Disabilities Celebrated

The number of people who experience significant disability is growing, driven by increased number of people with noncommunicable diseases, who are also living longer and ageing with limitations in functioning

On this Day, World Health Organisation, WHO calls for other partners around the world to deliver innovative and transformative solutions to achieve health for all.

Sydney FC Foundation looks forward to celebrating this day again in 2023

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS WHO HAVE PROUDLY SUPPORTED THIS INITIATIVE: