ORGANISATION SPOTLIGHT: PINK PROGRAMME
PINK is a female all-abilities football program. PINK ( Play, Interact, Network, Kick) is a program delivered by North West Sydney Football Association. PINK is a unified program – it also includes players without a disability. This innovative concept has created many positive benefits for both the players with and without a disability to understand differences, build empathy, break down barriers and promote acceptance. It has helped develop a cohort of young females who can be the champions of inclusion.
THE POWER OF PLAYING
SIDE-BY-SIDE
With minimal opportunities for females with a disability to participate in football, the program was established to provide a chance to get active, learn football skills, interact with others, form friendships and most of all have fun! People with a disability love sports like everyone, but are generally less active and face social isolation, so sport is very important in their lives for their physical and mental health.
Our objective is also to educate girls without disabilities. Many of these players have never interacted with a person with a disability. The PINK program is a beautiful way, in a safe environment to bring people together to promote inclusion. PINK is a Unified program (players with and without a disability participating together). We see these young women as ambassadors for inclusion, they can go back to their friends and spread the word that differences are ok, and everyone should be accepted for who they are. We grow and build through interactions with schools, council, word of mouth and other local all abilities sports such as Netball. Most players attend Netball on Saturday and Football on Sunday.
STARTING SMALL, GROWING TOGETHER
Whilst all-ability programs exist in most NSW football associations, these were mixed, male and female players participating together. This isn’t indicative of a negative environment, however as males and females grow older in chronological age, the physiological differences in factors such as strength, speed, and endurance become more apparent. One of our coaches’ daughter, who lives with down syndrome, had stopped participating in her mixed program due to these factors.
There was no program that catered for only females. In 2014, we wanted to create an environment for females to learn and participate in football with other females and feel physically and psychologically safe. An environment where they could meet new friends, develop social skills, improve their football ability, and most importantly, have fun!
“Day 1 started with 2 players and now over 25 players with disabilities participate weekly. Over 50 females have been a part of the journey and so have their families.”
PINK PROGRAMME MILESTONE
The highlight of 2024 was the Matilda Alex Chidiac Skills activation supported by our long term sponsor The Epping Club. A unified event to grow football participation for females with disability was delivered on 14 July with the support of the Epping Club grant and Matilda, Alex Chidiac.
The unified skills session included school support units and transition classes, as well as selected community and elite teams/players without disability.
The families and players still reflect on that amazing day. Alex is champion for equality and inclusion.
ROLE MODELS IN ACTION
Sport is powerful and provides opportunities for players, families and coaches to have the same experiences - everybody deserves to play sport their own way. It is important to have coach role models with lived experience - "you can't be what you can't see" and PINK promotes this initiative by providing opportunities for players with disability to complete coaching courses with guidance and mentoring.
A PINK activation in 2023 during the Women's World Cup that was supported by Paralympians and ParaMatildas. Connecting Matildas and USA Alumni with the PINK players and students at PLC Croydon. This event proved that even a small event is just as important as a major tournament to those who enjoy the moment.
LEVELLING THE FIELD, THE PINK WAY
PINK levels the field by giving everybody a chance to play football in their own way. PINK aims to provide opportunities for all girls and women to play football in an inclusive, welcoming environment regardless of age and ability. PINK provides opportunities for players from all communities who may not have previously played sport to participate in physical activity and play football in a nonthreatening and non-competitive environment that focuses on developing confidence and increasing social connections. The social, lifestyle and keeping active components of PINK hope to attract a wider range of participants and carers who may not have been interested in football. The NWSF PINK projects connect local football clubs, schools, carers and families with the local community as well as provide an opportunity for all involved to keep active.
