Left: Scott Ramanui, coach Carlos Loyola, Westfield team sponsor Fiona McKenzie, Michael Wright, Trent Parker and Simon Pollock are excited about the team’s trip to Germany this week to take part in the By Callan Date
A TEAM of disabled soccer players is ready to emulate their Socceroo heroes and head to Germany to represent Australia in their very own World Cup.
Endeavour Hills resident and soccer fanatic Carlos Loyola is coach of the group of intellectually disabled players who will jet off today (Thursday) to compete in the INAS-FID World Football Cup.
Several local players, including one Narre Warren and two Hampton Park residents, from the Doveton Special Soccer School will join Mr Loyola on the trip to Germany, which at one stage looked like it would never happen.
The players and officials were left sidelined in June when they realised they were going to struggle to raise the required $125,000 to fund the trip to Germany.
Many players had to pull out of the squad but had their dreams realised when several organisations, which learned of the team’s plight through the News, came to the party and sponsored the team.
Australian Sport and Recreation Association for Players with an Intellectual Disability (AUSRAPID) contributed a slice of the funds but players and their families still had to scrimp and save for months.
Businesses also supported the cause with Westfield Fountain Gate jumping on board and donating $9000 to the cost of the trip.
Coach Carlos Loyola said the players could not wait to pull on the green and gold and represent Australia.
“These guys are so committed,” he said. “They have had difficulties in their lives and to help fulfil the dream of a group of players who have worked so hard to represent their country is fantastic.”
The team will play against Holland, Saudi Arabia and Poland in their early matches and will hope to progress past the group stages as their green and gold compatriots did two months ago.
“The support from the public has been great and I have just promised everyone that we will work hard and do our best when we get over there,” Mr Loyola said.
