Football4all: Football NSW ‘all abilities’ event celebrates inclusion in 2024 gala day

The annual Football4all Gala celebrates inclusion for players with disabilities. Read how the grassroots initiative has inspired Alex Reggio and his love of the game.

Macarthur FC players Jake Holman and Dean Bosnjak with the SNAPPaRoos at the 2024 Football4all Gala at Valentine Sports Park. Picture: Supplied

For over a decade the Football4all Gala Day has been a part of Alex Reggio’s life.

The 27-year-old has been involved in the event since it’s inaugural staging in 2008 and this year was one of over 200 participants who descended on Valentine Sports Park in Sydney’s west to take part.

Alex has an intellectual disability and has represented the SNAPPaRoos since he was 10-years-old, with his club one of 11 teams featured in the event.

Alex Reggio has participated in the Football4all gala with the SNAPPaRoos for over a decade. Picture: Supplied

His mum Lucy Reggio said the gala is a great, inclusive space for her son to participate in the sport he loves.

“If I had a mainstream son, he could play football,” Reggio said.

“So my son with a disability can as well.”

Football4all encourages participants of ages five to fifty plus, and of various disabilities including but not limited to intellectual and physical disabilities, blindness, deafness and autism.

Alex has really benefited from his love of football and looks forward to the Football4all Gala every year so he can catch up with one of his best friends, who plays for the Nepean Dragons.

James Slender (centre) and Alex Reggio (right) participated in the Football4all gala at Valentine Sports Park while Marc Reggio (left) coached. Picture: Supplied

Reggio said the gala day is also really important as a family event, with families in similar situations able to connect and network.

“The parents were so proud of their kids playing the world sport,” Reggio said.

“Seeing them in their uniform, shaking hands… the smiles on their faces and feeling included.”

Macarthur FC players Jake Hollman and Dean Bosnjak met with players and assisted in presentations on the day, along with opposition disability inclusion minister Natasha Maclaren-Jones, Blacktown City Councillor Julie Griffiths and Football NSW CEO John Tsatsimas.

The Football4all program has been expanded over the years, growing from just a handful of teams to more than 20 within NSW.

Reggio said it highlights the fact that football truly is for everyone and the opportunities should be there for people of every ability to play.

“It shows that people with disabilities want to play the sport.”

Originally published as Football4all: Football NSW ‘all abilities’ event celebrates inclusion in 2024 gala day