John Filmer of Dandenong RSL, Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, Doveton Special School coach Carlos Loyola and Eumemmerring MP Adem Somyurek at Saturday’s match between the Victorian Police team and the Doveton Special Soccer Club.Trent Parker, Eumemmerring MP Adem Somyurek and Robert Sils in the thick of things on Saturday.Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan, playing for the Victorian Police team, chases Morgan Wright of Doveton Special Soccer Club for the ball.Eumemmerring MP Adem Somyurek goes head to head with Morgan Wright of the Doveton Special Soccer Club on Saturday.By Rebecca Fraser
A LASTminute goal clinched victory for the Doveton Special Soccer Club on Saturday as it went head to head with the Victorian Police soccer team.
Carlos Loyola, coach and founder of the Doveton Special Soccer Club said he was very happy with the team’s 43 win.
The Endeavour Hills resident migrated to Australia more than 20 years ago.
“I started the soccer school 12 years ago as I decided that this was a real necessity for the community,” he said.
“Lots of people with disabilities play different sports but there was no soccer.”
Mr Loyola said the friendly soccer match was held to show the community that people with intellectual disabilities deserve equal treatment.
He said the team’s 35 players had trained very hard before the match, playing against St Margaret’s School and St Kevin’s School in preparation.
“These games give the players the chance to participate in, and enjoy, sport just like everyone else does,” Mr Loyola said.
“They all train hard and become really good at the game and set themselves goals and reach their achievements.
“Sport and soccer is a very important part of their lives.”
Casey council’s Myuna Ward councillor Brian Oates pulled on his boots for the second half of the game, taking over from Four Oaks Ward councillor Roland Abraham.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan also took to the field.
Cr Oates said the match had been ‘good fun’ but that he was still recovering from it as he had not played competitively for about 20 years.
“Getting the police down there was just fantastic and it was great to see them being part of the community,” he said.
“There is now even talk of a local celebrity match.”
Detective Senior Constable Vincent Manno of the Major Fraud Squad is a former player and the current club secretary of the police soccer team.
He said Saturday’s game had been a great opportunity to rekindle ‘the grass roots’ of soccer.
“We really enjoy coming to know the kids and some of them are just exceptional players,” he said.
“The games help people look at these young people for their good soccer abilities, as opposed to being young people with disabilities.
“It also helps the community see us in a different light and not just as policemen.
“This helps break down the barriers and we have formed some longterm friendships.
“It is a very good and supportive environment and the match is a real highlight of the year.
“Dare I say it, we are still incapable of beating them. They are just that good.”
The Doveton Special Soccer Club will travel to Tasmania on 14 October for a weekend of friendly matches and on Saturday John Filmer, on behalf of the Dandenong RSL, gave the team a digital camera to capture their trip.
“The thing that impresses me most about the club is how they give the players an outlet and give their parents and carers a break,” Mr Filmer said.
“All of the parents and carers who share the same pressures can come together and have a talk and laugh and understand each other’s problems.”
Mr Loyola welcomed the donation and said he was very grateful for the community’s support.
“We are working on our own website at the moment so we will be able to use the camera and the photos for this,” he said.
