EASTERN Park Football Club is hoping to see inclusive football grow around the state after it won its third-straight South Australian National Football League (SANFL) APM Inclusive League premiership.
The Elizabeth-based club triumphed in Saturday’s grand final at Woodville Oval with a 25-point victory over Goodwood Saints.
Formerly known as the Adelaide Football League C7 competition, the Inclusive League gives footballers with a disability the chance to play their favourite sport.
Eastern Park coach and player mentor Marc Lewis, who has been involved in all three premierships, said his team had worked hard for its success.
“You start in the morning with butterflies in your stomach, then we all went down to the game by bus together, but once the siren goes you get so excited,” he said.
“There was one lad who can only jog because he has feet issues, but when we won he was jumping around and waving his arms around; that is fantastic to see.
“I’d like to thank my boys, they played hard and trained hard all year.
“If you work hard, you’ll get results out of it.”
Despite his team’s dominance, winning has never been the priority, with participation and having fun being the main goal.
“Christies Beach only had nine players, but whenever we played them we gave them some good players so we could make a game out of it,” Mr Lewis said.
“Whenever we played them it was on good terms; you wanted to see the kids who were down there working hard to get a kick and a catch have fun, you didn’t want to see them beaten badly.
“I love winning, believe me, but at the same time you have to give every player in the side a fair run.”
Currently, five clubs field a side in the competition, with Eastern Park and Salisbury football clubs, where Mr Lewis helped set up its inclusive league program, being the only two clubs north of Adelaide.
He hoped the SANFL’s takeover of the league this year will see more players take the opportunity to play, and for more clubs to field sides.
“You aren’t going to grow the league unless you get off your backside and work harder to get them involved,” Mr Lewis said.
“I’m hoping it does get better now, with the SANFL being involved and being in a great position to push it.
“I had one lad who came down from Angaston every week to play, so it shows there’s players out there.”
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