Perth Demons and Disability Services Commission team up for Count Me In Round

The Perth Football Club will be kicking goals for access and inclusion at their Round 21 home game on Saturday, 16 August to show their support for a more inclusive and accessible community.

The Count Me In round has been developed through a partnership between the Disability Services Commission, the WA Football Commission and the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Count Me In is the State Government’s aspiration that we all live in welcoming communities that facilitate citizenship, friendship, mutual support and a fair go for everyone.Disability Services Commission Director General Dr Ron Chalmers encouraged all football fans to head to the footy on 16 August to enjoy the game and also celebrate Count Me In.

“The Count Me In round will remind people that everyone can enjoy the benefits of being part of a sports club – that could be on the field as a player, on the sidelines supporting the team, behind the scenes fundraising or washing uniforms or  taking part in the social side of club life,” he said.

“There are so many benefits to being part of a club and the Count Me In Round 21 aims to highlight those for us all.”

Round 21 games promoting Count Me In are:

• Peel vs West Perth, Bendigo Bank Stadium, Mandurah
• Perth vs East Perth, Lathlain Park, Lathlain
• Subiaco vs Claremont, Medibank Stadium, Leederville
• Swan Districts vs South Fremantle, Steel Blue Oval, Bassendean.

Each host club will hold its own Count Me In promotional activities, with Count Me In giveaways and appearances by special guests.

Teams from the WA Integrated Football Competition (WAIFC), Kingsway and Coolbinia-West Perth, will play a demonstration match at Medibank Stadium as part of the Count Me In round.

The WAIFC, a Perth-based football league, fosters involvement and participation of people with disability in community sport and promotes the benefits of being involved in a sporting club through Aussie Rules footy.

The Perth vs East Perth game starts at 2.05pm at Lathlain Park, Goddard Street, Lathlain.

People with disability with Companion Cards and their companions, or people with specially marked tickets, will gain free entry to Count Me In games. For more about the Count Me In WAFL round, visit www.disability.wa.gov.au > About us > Count Me In or www.wafootball.com.au.

For media enquiries, contact the Disability Services Commission by email media@dsc.wa.gov.au or phone 9426 9667.