By Nick Creely
Soccer5s Centre Manager Jack Gillibrand hopes he can create a safe and open space for the All-Abilities community in Dandenong to become involved with into the future.
The centre recently held their first ever Soccer5s All Abilities 5-a-side Cup on 28 October, targeting the All-Abilities community and to increase awareness of programs and access to assist in creating a pathway from grassroots through to excellence.
Gillibrand said the event was a resounding success with the help of local schools, government and local organisations, with the event to be now held annually.
“We recently partnered with Doveton Special Soccer School, and we wanted to run something for the community towards the end of the year, so we contacted local organisations and presented them the opportunity to get involved,” Gillibrand said.
“11 teams participated, and we had MP Gabrielle Williams, Paraoo Benny Roche, and we also had support from the Reagan Milistein Foundation to raise awareness.
“Everyone played three games from junior, senior to intermediate level.
“The winners received a cup and everyone got a participation medal.
“We’ve launched it now as an annual thing.”
Around 150 people were in attendance for the event – including family members and over 100 players – and Gillibrand hopes it will get even bigger next year.
“We will contact more local organisations next year – we want to get a lot of people involved,” he said.
Soccer5s primarily run weekly tournaments from adults to juniors, and also host pitch hire so people can hire out the elite facilities for games in a social perspective, and for team building activities and birthday parties.
