Noosa Tigers embrace inaugural AFL Queensland inclusion competition

The “self worth and confidence” of Coast players with intellectual disabilities have lifted to new heights as they hit the field in a new competition.

A new Aussie rules league is lifting the “self worth and confidence” of Coast players with intellectual disabilities and taking their skills to new heights.

The inaugural AFL Queensland AFLX inclusion competition has launched with Noosa Tigers, Yeronga Devils and Surfers Paradise Demons clubs participating.

While an inclusion program had run in the region for some time, Noosa coach Rob Purves said players were savouring the chance for more game time and a new-found sense of normal club life.

“It’s fantastic,” he said.

“They now have a place that they can go to on a Wednesday night for footy training and come down on a Saturday and play a game of footy and they've got a club that they're part of which is great,” he said.

He said players from across the Coast were part of the Tigers team, with 20 new and experienced talents.

Noosa Tigers inclusion players have savoured a new AFL Queensland competition

While they compete with victory in their sights, Purves said it was more about participation, with players often being shared among squads on game day.

“A lot of people are really surprised when they come and watch the standard of footy that it is,” he said.

“Their skill level has gone up amazingly.

“Their self confidence and self worth has risen hugely too.

“Some players would have never fallen on the ground and got muddy knees before and now they are happy to do that.”

He said the Noosa club had embraced the inclusion squad, not only cheering them on but often joining in on their training sessions.

“What it brings around the footy club (is great),” Purves said.

“Even the colts, before they train, normally half a dozen of them come and join in and train with the inclusion boys.

“When we played our first home game against Surfers Paradise we played it before the women’s game and the women’s team supported it really well.”

They’ve played three games so far with the most recent over the weekend against Surfers Paradise.

There’s two more to come, on July 24 and August 7, before a Queensland team is selected to contest the National Inclusion Carnival in Adelaide.

Purves hoped the competition would continue to grow in coming years and encouraged anyone interested to give him a call on 0433 240 005.