SA Paralympic team compete in 2011 Phoenix Cup

The South Australia Paralympic Football team competed in the Phoenix Cup on the weekend for the second consecutive year.

The Phoenix Cup provides people with varying disabilities an opportunity to participate in an organised 7- a-side football tournament.

The tournament saw eight teams from across metropolitan areas participate in the tournament for the first time, due to the growth of Football Federation SA Inclusive Football Program, with two squads of players with Cerebral Palsy and Acquired Brain Injuries entered into the Cup.

Highlights on the day included both Inclusive Football Program squads playing each other in what was an entertaining display of inclusive football, five squad members being chosen to participate in a training session with Adelaide United and Ryan Kinner being awarded player of the tournament.

The Inclusive Football program, run by FFSA with the support of the  Australian Paralympic Committee, provides opportunities to people from aged three years and over with a physical disability such as Cerebral Palsy, an Acquired Brain injury, a congenital deformity or an amputation.

The inclusive Football Squad’s involvement in the Phoenix Cup builds upon a busy year for the program.

Highlights this year to date have been State training camp at Westminster College for State and regional players in March, FFSA hosting  the Paralympic 7 a-side National Championships at Barratt Reserve, West Beach in April, the Lime Coast Football Tournament in Mount Gambier and the training session with Qantas Olyroos Mark Birighitti, Jason Hoffman and Matthew Foschini in September.

For more information contact on FFSA Inclusive Football Program, contact Jonathan Ruse at jonathan.ruse@ffsa.com.au or 8354 1003