Sidelined!

By Rebecca Fraser
THE nation may be in the grips of World Cup fever but a team of disabled soccer players has slipped through the net.
Endeavour Hills soccer enthusiast and coach of the Australian Football team for players with an intellectual disability Carlos Loyola, said it was doubtful that his team would travel to Germany in August for their own World Cup.
Five players have already been forced to pull out of the fifth annual INAS — FID World Football Cup, one from Hallam and two from Pakenham, because they simply cannot afford to go.
Mr Loyola said players from the Doveton Special Soccer School, which he also coaches, were still hopeful of making the trip but they were fast running out of time to attract enough money.
The team needs about $125,000 to take the team of 15 players and three officials to Germany but at present they are still about $85,000 short.
Mr Loyola said many of the players lived on disability pensions and they could not afford to pay for the entire trip themselves.
“They want to represent their country but no one will help them.
“This is a sad reality of what people with a disability always face.
“It is disgusting and very sad to think they might miss out on this opportunity.
“The big soccer corporations give all their money to the big names first and forget about those with a disability.
“We will struggle to send the team. At the moment it is only a 50-50 chance,” he said.
Mr Loyola said disabled people were always placed at the bottom of the list and also called on the government to open up its coffers.
He said many of his top players had already pulled out and he had travelled around Australia trying to attract more team members but many simply could not afford the travel costs.
Australian Sport and Recreation Association for Persons with an Intellectual Disability (AUSRAPID), has contributed a total of $15,000 towards the trip with each player also required to contribute.
The organisation liaises with many peak sporting organisations to encourage the inclusion of athletes with an intellectual disability within their programs.
AUSRAPID CEO Robyn Smith said the organisation had embarked on a number of fundraising activities to ensure that the young team of football players was able to represent Australia at these championships. “We have been working with Football Australia and Australian Football clubs to attempt to raise the $100,000 needed to send the team.
“We are still $85,000 short in funding, a cost that the players themselves will cover if AUSRAPID cannot raise it.
“Many players have already indicated that they will not be able to raise the funding and, as such, will have to withdraw from the team. Unlike our Socceroos who earn a living from football, these players are not paid to play.
“Football is their passion and it provides them with a purpose in life.
“The impact of not competing in this event will have shattering effects on all concerned,” she said.