Two of Eastern Eyre Football League’s newest footballers are showing that disability is no handicap when it comes to playing footy.
Despite needing a modified walking stick to move around, 10-year-old Jack Butler is enjoying his first season with Ports Magpies.
Jack suffers from Spastic Diplegia Cerebral Palsy which affects both his motor skills and his ability to process information quickly. But that doesn’t stop him joining in weekly training and Saturday games where he prefers to play on the wing – allowing him to follow the game in both directions.
“Jack wouldn’t get the chance to play football in the city,” the young Magpies’ mum Natalie Butler said. “I think country footy is excellent the way everyone is welcome.
“And it’s not just his [own] team that makes the effort to include him, it’s all the teams in the league.
“I was really touched when, at Kimba, their whole team took the time to shake his hand and pat his back. That’s good sportsmanship.”
While Jack is unable to move from his position on the wing there is rarely a game that doesn’t see him make a possession, with his teammates often gathering up the ball to give him a kick.
Jack has been involved with football since he was six, when he was the waterboy for Eyre United.
“Then, one day, I just rocked up at Ports training and asked if Jack could join in – the next week he was out on the ground,” Ms Butler said. “I’m so thankful that he gets to get out there and make friends and be part of the game.”
At the weekend, when Cleve faced Ports at Port Neill, the young Magpies player was manned by Cleve Bombers’ Darcy Whitehair, 6, who has battled illness most of his childhood as a result of Cystic Hygroma.
While Darcy is not physically restricted by his condition, his breathing and general health are affected by the presence of benign tumours in his neck and under his tongue.
Darcy has made many trips to Adelaide for treatment in his young life, but is currently showing great improvement in his general health. In his first year of local football, Darcy is enjoying the chance to hit the field alongside his schoolmates, brothers and coach – dad Harold.
“Darcy is keen on all sports, and loves being active,” Harold Whitehair, who is also president of the Cleve Football Club, said. “For us, football is all about everyone being welcomed and able to participate at their own level.”
EEFL has a long history of including players of different ages, genders and abilities at a junior level.
“It’s all about participating and feeling part of a team,” Mr Whitehair said. “As long as everyone’s out there enjoying themselves and learning some skills and sportsmanship – it’s a good day of football.”
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