Opening the door to football: WAAAFA Junior Draft Day
For many young people living with disability, the love of football is there - but the opportunity to fully experience it isn't. That's what made the Fremantle Dockers Junior Draft Day so meaningful for a group of WA All Abilities Football Association (WAAAFA) participants.
Inside the club
With support from Variety WA, these young players stepped inside the Fremantle Football Club for a day as part of the team. Through the WAAAFA Junior Draft Day, they experienced what it’s like to be a Freo recruit - taking part in skills sessions, meeting players and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the club environment.
More than drills and games
For WAAAFA participants, it was more than just drills and games. It was the chance to play, connect and be part of something bigger — surrounded by the energy of the club and others who share the same passion for the game.
Moments like these matter. They open the door to sport in a way that feels accessible, inclusive and genuinely welcoming - reinforcing that football is for everyone.
“Experiences like the Junior Draft Day give our players a genuine sense of belonging and recognition. It's about showing them that they are valued, capable, and very much part of the football community.”
- Hayden Marchetto, Executive Officer, WAAAFA
Growing the game for everyone
As WAAAFA continues to expand inclusive football opportunities across Western Australia, experiences like Junior Draft Day help ensure more young people can connect with the game - not just as spectators, but as participants.
Every Child Deserves to Thrive
Your support helps provide essential equipment, programs and opportunities for children.
Every child deserves the chance to explore, grow, and dream without limits. Their potential shouldn’t be defined by disability, illness, or financial hardship. We work to remove those barriers and open the doors to new possibilities.
