Cromer Park will host the Pararoos first match on home soil since the 2000 Paralympic Games on Saturday, 30 November 2019.
The Pararoos are Australias senior mens national football team for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury, or symptoms acquired from stroke.
Australias Pararoos will take on Canada in an international friendly that has been made possible by Football Federation Australia and thanks to support received from the FIFA Forward 2.0 Football Development Programme.
FIFA Forward 2.0 helps fund and support initiatives pursued by its Member Associations, and FIFAs six Confederations, that enable football to reach its potential so that everyone that wants to take part in the world game can do so without barriers.
The match kicks off at 5.30pm on Saturday 30 November and tickets are now on sale viawww.pararoos.com.au(100 per cent of ticket sales invested back into the Pararoos). Dont miss out!
The match will also be a great opportunity for children who take part in the Football4All program, which is a grassroots program that gives an opportunity for players to enjoy football participation in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.
Kids currently in the Football4All program will play a part in the matchday experience as player mascots and other activities.
FFA has received FIFA Forward 2.0 funding not only to bring the Pararoos home match to life, but to support training camps for the team in 2020 which will assist Australias preparations for the IFCPF World Championships Qualification Tournament to be held in Sant Cugat, Spain next June.
Our players are absolutely thrilled with the news that they will have the chance to represent Australia in Australia next month, Pararoos Head Coach Kai Lammert said. Aside from two players Chris Pyne and David Barber none of our current squad members have had the opportunity to play in front of their family and friends on home soil before, so this truly is a fantastic opportunity for our boys.
Many of our squad members werent even born when the Pararoos last played in Australia, so this will be a really unique event that celebrates our players as the elite CP footballers that they are, but also highlights FFAs focus on diversity and inclusion.
FFA Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Gallop AM, acknowledged FIFA and MWFA for their support of the match.
FIFA and MWFA have worked collaboratively with FFA on this initiative and we acknowledge their support in backing the Pararoos and the development of CP football in Australia, Mr Gallop said.
Thanks to the support and efforts of many, 100 per cent of ticket sales from the match will be invested into the Pararoos, helping to ensure that there are continued opportunities for the squad. Were sure a great crowd will turn out for this match which will feature the 10thranked team in the world, Australia, up against Canada, who are 11th.
David Mason, Chief Executive Officer of MWFA and Manly United FC, said the Northern Beaches football community would be proud to host the match.
Were incredibly excited, Mr Mason said. Footballs greatest asset is its inclusiveness.
We have all sorts of national teams across all different sports and I dont think it matters what sport it is, when you put on your national colours, the pride that those players will have to run out onto the football field will be immense. For that to happen at Cromer Park, for us as a Northern Beaches football community will be unbelievable.
Pararoos captain David Barber, who is likely to make his 100thappearance for the Pararoos against Canada, described the fixture as a dream come true.
It has been so long since we played on home soil, it is going to mean the world, Barber said. For me personally it is something that I have been dreaming about for a really long time.
If you are a fan of football, a fan of good football, then that is what this team is all about. Just because we have a disability doesnt change the fact that we play amazing football. We are going to be playing against a world class opponent in our own backyard, and if you are a fan of football and want to get out and support the green and gold then this is your chance to do it. It is going to be a great day at a great venue, and I cannot wait to play, he said.
Kick-off will be at 5.30pm (AEDT) with tickets on sale now via the official Pararoos website www.pararoos.com.au.
Pararoos v Canada
Date: Saturday, 30 November 2019
Venue: Cromer Park (South Creek Road, Cromer, NSW)
Kick-off: 5.30pm AEDT
Tickets: Tickets on sale now viawww.pararoos.com.au(100 per cent of ticket sales invested back into the Pararoos)
