SAM MAYES understands more than most the value of sport for those living with disabilities.
His older brother Ben was born with growth and intellectual disabilities and while he has previously helped out around football clubs, a lack of opportunities for those with disabilities has meant he has never played himself.
It is something which has driven Port Adelaide midfielder Mayes to involve himself in a series of inclusive clinics for children living with disabilities that start this week.
“I’m really passionate in this space, having grown up with a brother who lives with disabilities so I’ve seen first-hand that we need to give people more opportunities to enjoy sport,” said Mayes.
“Any person living with a disability should still have an opportunity to try different sports and enjoy them.
“It’s clear there are little gaps in programs like this for kids living with disabilities. There needs to be more structure and a more hands-on approach for kids who live with disabilities.”
Starting on Thursday, Mayes will be among six Port Adelaide players carrying out weekly Auskick clinics for children who are living with a disability.
The clinics at Goodwood Oval will run for six weeks between 4:30pm-5:30pm and are open for children aged 5-15.
Players from the Goodwood Saints men’s, women’s and senior Inclusive sides will also help deliver the sessions.
One in six Australians has a disability and generally speaking, people with disabilities have poorer health and wellbeing outcomes. That is in part linked to the difficulties in getting involved in sport and recreation.
Mayes – an AFL inclusion ambassador – was first involved in a similar inclusive footy program run at Brighton in 2019 and says the program provides an easy way to try the game.
“When we did it a few years ago, it was so rewarding to see how much the kids enjoyed it,” he explained. “They had so much fun and they had guys like Willem Drew and Travis Boak out there kicking a footy with them.
“There were so many smiles and for us it is about providing an opportunity that others like my brother might not have had.”
The program will run from this Thursday 11 August until Thursday 15 September with appearances from various Port Adelaide players across the six weeks.
Registration is free via https://www.playhq.com/afl/register/c5fc4c.
