Why NSW’s Football4all gala day at Glenwood kicks more goals in the community

The Nova Employment Football4all Gala Day set new records in participation with more than 400 participants enjoying the sport last Sunday at Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood.

Football4All Gala Day participants and officials. Photo: Gavin Leung. Football NSW

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MORE than 400 participants gave it their all as they set another record in participation at the 2017 Nova Employment Football4all Gala Day last Sunday at Valentine Sports Park, Glenwood.

With star power provided by several national and A-Division players, plus off the field entertainment and an all-day barbecue, it was a grand fun day for everyone.

More than 40 teams, including the Rouse Hill Rams, Hills Knights Kickaroos and Kellyville SC, enjoyed the small-sided games, off-field activities, celebrations and lunch put together by Nova Employment.

Players have fun.

Matildas and Quakers Hill star Kyah Simon and Pararoos Ben Atkins, Ben Sutton and Taj Lynch provided the star attraction along with Western Sydney Wanderers trio Jumpei Kusukami, John Hall, Jacob Melling and Central Coast Mariners player Adam Berry who handed out medals and showbags to the participants.

Lindsay federal Labor MP federal MP Emma Husar, Riverstone state Liberal MP Kevin Connolly and Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali were among the dignitaries present.

The Western Sydney Wanderers activations, Aldi MiniRoos shoot out and the Spiderman jumping castle proved popular through the day.

There were plenty of football skills on show.

Socceroos mascot ‘Maloo’ had plenty of admirers, giving high fives and posing for snaps with teams.

New Football NSW CEO Stuart Hodge said Football4all was a great event to kick off his time at Football NSW.

“The reaction of the children and their parents showed the tremendous value of this event,’ Mr Hodge said.

“The experience of playing football will mean so much to them and will benefit them well beyond the sporting field.”

Posing with the football mascot.

Powerchair Football were back for the fifth successive year with 40 players showing off their talents on the day.

Junior and senior matches in the NSW Powerchair Football League took shape across the day as Western Sydney Wanderers clashed with Central Coast Mariners while Sydney FC took on the Newcastle Jets.

Nova Employment ran a barbecue running for several hours and raised more than $900 for the Pararoos national team who head to Argentina for the World Championships in September.

Respect was the order of the day.

Football NSW’s community game development officer and event organiser Demelza Howard said: “It was great to see many participants scoring goals and enjoying a day full of football especially the teams that travelled from ACT and Wagga Wagga.

“I would like to thank all the team co-ordinators and volunteers for their endless passion and time given in providing football opportunities for all participants.”

Rouse Hills Rams, Hills Knights Kickaroos, Kellyville SC, Balmain and District FC, Blue Mountains Kangaroos, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Football-Connect Capital Football, Hills Knights Kickaroos, Kings Langley Open Goals, Macarthur Magic Special Needs FC, Marrickville FC ‘Flaming Devils’, Mt Druitt Town Rangers Futsal Club, Nepean Football Dragons, North Rocks Rockerballers, NWSWF PINK football4all, Randwick City FC ‘Purple Hearts’, Snapp-a-roos, St Ives FC, Sutherland Titans FC, Wagga Wagga Football4all, West Pennant Hills Cherrybrook FC and individuals took part in the event.