THE AFL, in partnership with Monash University, has launched a refreshed suite of digital 'AllPlay Footy' resources, designed to help more kids with developmental challenges or disability participate in Australian rules football.
AllPlay Footy now provides more than 360 free and purpose-built and strengths-based tools, resources and strategies for coaches, coordinators and families to support the inclusion of young people with disability in community football.
AllPlay Footy can be accessed via the AFL's play.afl and coach.afl websites. Resources have been developed with people with lived experience of disability and consultants from national sporting organisations for people with disability, psychologists and researchers.
AFL Executive General Manager Game Development, Rob Auld, said: "AllPlay Footy resources help to ensure Australian football is an inclusive sport that is available to all, including those with developmental challenges and disability.
"We acknowledge the great work of our partners at Monash University, who have played an instrumental role in developing AllPlay Footy, which enables children to reach their full potential through evidence-informed strategies and resources for NAB AFL Auskick and junior football.
"The AFL is committed to looking at innovative ways to allow people from all walks of like to be involved in the game and we believe AllPlay Footy can have a profoundly positive impact on many."
Founder of AllPlay and Director of the Monash Krongold Clinic, Professor Nicole Rinehart, said: "AllPlay Footy was created and sparked a social movement that would see sport and research unite to develop practical tools, and resources to support the one-in-six children who experience developmental challenges or disability.
"The new edition of AllPlay Footy resources will allow us to continue to break down the barriers that prevent young people from playing and build disability inclusion understanding across the football community to ensure everyone is equipped to ‘make footy fit for young people with disability."
Our longstanding partnership has seen AllPlay Footy grow from a small pilot initiative in 2015, to a fully integrated suite of resources and training that now lives in the AFL's systems.
AllPlay Footy resources include:
- 18 Footy stories for children showing what they will experience at NAB AFL Auskick
- More than 300 strategies for coaches
- 19 inspirational and practical videos
- 25 practical resources
- 1 disability inclusion coaching course on coach.afl
Resources:
