MEMBERS of one of Bendigo\u2019s most inclusive sport clubs could barely contain their excitement to be back preparing for another season.<\/p>\n
Last Wednesday, the Bendigo FIDA Suns held their first come-and-try training session of the year at the Tom Flood Sports Centre.<\/p>\n
The club competes in in the Victorian Football Integration Development Association Football League, which provides people with an intellectual disability an opportunity to play Australian rules football competitively.<\/p>\n
Caitlin Pearce, who has played at the club for three years, said it was nice to see new and returning faces.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s good to see the players back together again, I would say they\u2019ve been missing each other because they\u2019re so happy to see each other,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re excited for another year, and we hope to win this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Pearce said players join the club for various reasons, but all have a love of football in common.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome players come out to interact with other people, other players are looking for something to do on the weekend, most come out because they want to play football and there\u2019s not many teams in Bendigo that have special groups,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s just a nice community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Committee member Jedd Manton said this season the Suns will compete against Kyneton and Rupertswood, with Bendigo\u2019s two teams making up a four-team league, after Ballarat\u2019s club announced it will join the Melbourne conference.<\/p>\n
Games will be played in a carnival style with one to two matches played each month across the different towns, however the fixture has not been finalised.<\/p>\n
Mr Manton said no matter when or where the matches are, the Suns will be ready to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the players will be competitive again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know it\u2019s been tough for everyone in the last two years with COVID and the impacts that\u2019s had on peoples physical and mental health. We\u2019ll be strong, but the players are just looking forward to playing again.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MEMBERS of one of Bendigo\u2019s most inclusive sport clubs could barely contain their excitement to be back preparing for another season. Last Wednesday, the Bendigo FIDA Suns held their first come-and-try training session of the year at the Tom Flood Sports Centre. The club competes in in the Victorian Football Integration Development Association Football League, […]<\/p>\n