Football Victoria is introducing Para Pathway Clinics, providing children and young people with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, or stroke-related symptoms who are interested in exploring the Para Football pathway the opportunity to experience Para Football in a structured training environment and be identified for future development.
The launch clinic will take place on 29 August from 9:00am to 10:00am at the Home of the Matildas, Bundoora marking the beginning of an ongoing initiative designed to support Talent Identification and strengthen the Para Football pathway in Victoria.
The clinics provide participants with the opportunity to train in a high-performance environment, engage with experienced Para coaches Andrew Rofo and Seb Zancan, and connect with Victorian Para Football athletes, including those who have represented Australia at international level and progressed through the Victorian pathway system.
A key focus of the Para Pathway Clinics is Talent Identification of young players, supporting the identification and development of players with potential to progress through the Victorian Para Football pathway.
The program is open exclusively to children and young people aged between 6 to 25 with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, or stroke-related symptoms. Participants must be ambulant and able to move independently as part of eligibility requirements.
Three participant groups will be offered:
- 6–12 years (mixed gender)
- 13–25 years (mixed gender)
- Girls only (ages 6–25)
Following the clinic, participants have the opportunity to observe the Victorian Para Football training program from 10:00am to 12:30pm, gaining insight into the elite performance environment as athletes prepare for Football Australia’s National Para Football Championships.