History

The WAAFL Integrated Program is aimed at providing a structured Australian Rules football competition for footballers with an intellectual disability.

The concept commenced in 2009 with four ‘Come and Try Days’ based north and south of the river, in the metropolitan area. The Lynwood Ferndale Football Club, Kingsway Football and Sporting Club, Warnbro Amateur Football Club and West Coast Cowan Amateur Football Club all played host to ‘Come and Try Days’ where over 68 individuals with an intellectual disability were able to participate and play Australian Rules football.

This was catalyst to provide an induction to Australia Rules football for many participants. The interest in these events, lead to the formulation of participation opportunities with WAAFL community clubs.  The minimum age of players is 16 years.

In the 2010 season, three WAAFL clubs fostered over 90 registered players. The content of the program delivered through these community clubs was to provide participation opportunities in AFL for those with an intellectual disability via regular training sessions and monthly games.

A further two ‘Come and Try’ days were conducted in 2010 that have now produced a further three clubs entered the Integrated Football program in 2011. These were High Wycombe and Fremantle CBC.

In 2011 the competition consisted of the five integrated football clubs: Fremantle CBC, High Wycombe, Lynwood Ferndale, Warnbro Swans and Kingsway. Each played in a fully structured competition, culminating in the Grand Final between Lynwood Ferndale and Fremantle CBC. The final score was 51 – 35 with Fremantle CBC taking out the season.