These centres and their coaches have:

• Completed a venue accessibility audit, and know what type of centre they want to be - Disability Specific, Side by Side, or Integrated
• Completed the AllPlay Footy Disability Inclusion Coaching Course
• Visited the AllPlay Footy section to access the resources to support coaches, coordinators, parents and players
• Identified a quiet space at the centre for young people and families to use if needed, available to access during every session
• Considered other areas within the centre to hold sessions if needed, eg. indoors if the oval is too wet and muddy for young people who use wheelchairs/walkers
• Used a diverse range of images and videos of people with disability on their website, social media and club newsletters to show they’re a welcoming and inclusive club
• Provided the opportunity for families to tour the centre and meet the coach prior to the first session
• Committed to review their Auskick registrations to find who in the group identifies as living with disability
• Committed to display the session plan visually before the start of each session (eg. on a whiteboard) and explain the schedule verbally
• Considered they may need one coach/volunteer per player, and have enough volunteers to support the group if needed
• The coaches are caring, understanding and want to provide a positive experience for all players.

You can:

• Visit the footy ground with your child to help them feel more familiar and at ease during their first session
• Grab a football and practise together at home or a local park. No need to teach them anything, just let them hold and play with the ball as much as they’d like
• Organise for a friend to go with your child to their first session. A buddy can help players feel at ease
• Read the AllPlay Footy Stories with your child to introduce them to Auskick and familiarise them with how sessions typically run
• Use the Auskick activities videos to learn more about what they’ll be doing during sessions
• Fill out the Supporting your child’s participation at footy form and give it to the coach before their first session, so the coach can get to know your child and plan ways to support their participation
• Arrive at the first session a little early to adjust to the surrounds and calm any nerves. Parents could also remind their child that they can feel comfortable letting the coach know if additional assistance is needed at any time during an activity. The coach is there to help!