Courtesy: ABC On Line


Tasmanian futsal side helps people with a disability on and off court

by Fred Hooper

The squeak of shoes and calling for possession of the ball, dominated the basketball court in Launceston as the New Horizons futsal team prepares for the national championships.

The New Horizons club provides a place for people living with a disability to take part in a range of sports and outdoor activities, futsal included.

One of the players is Dean Foreman who lives with cerebral palsy and for him the exercise provided through futsal helps him manage his disability.

"It's important to keep my tone balance up because I use one side of my body more than the other," Mr Foreman said.

To further help maintain and improve his balance Mr Foreman also practices Taekwondo but at the moment he is focused on the futsal ahead of the national futsal championships in early January 2017.

The only female on the court is Mel Phillips and it seems she likes it this way.

"It doesn't bother me really. I get along better with guys than girls, so it doesn't really bother me," Ms Phillips said.

Ms Phillips said living with a learning disability could be frustrating at times, but sporting clubs such as New Horizons offered her a place to feel free of judgement.

"I sometimes feel like I'm getting judged a lot. As soon as they hear that word disability, it's like no-one really wants to know you pretty much," Ms Phillips said
This will be coach Steven Ockerby's third championship with the team.

Mr Ockerby found himself as the coach after volunteering to fill in for a short period of time, and three years later he is still head coach.

"My son has down syndrome and he's a member of the New Horizons club and they did have a local soccer player training the guys," Mr Ockerby said.

As the players continue to run through drills on the court, Mr Ockerby talks about what the team members take away from the futsal competition.

"At the end of the day that's what it's all about to us, if we get a win or a good result that's a bonus," Mr Ockerby said.

For the coach, encouraging teamwork, fitness, communication and most importantly, that the participants enjoy themselves is what he focuses on.

"As far as we're concerned, when they're all here they're all equal, we don't really think about what their individual disabilities are," Mr Ockerby said.

Tim Dixon is the oldest player on the court and he says the exercise helps him with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

"It surely does," Mr Dixon said.

"Everyone enjoys it and it's played in good sportsmanship."

As the coach prepares to finish off the final training session before the national championships, he reflects on what he takes away from helping the side progress.

"Just to see these guys and girls having a good time. Well that gives me everything I need out of it," Mr Ockerby said.

The national futsal championships will be held January 3–8, 2017 in Sydney.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com