IT\u2019S an all Bendigo showdown in the grand final of the Football Integration Development Association central conference.<\/p>\n
On Sunday, 7 August, Weeroona Oval plays host to the match between Bendigo Suns White and Bendigo Suns Red.<\/p>\n
FIDA provides people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to play Australian Rules football.<\/p>\n
Bendigo Suns White player Crystal Sutherland, who has been with the Bendigo Suns for two years, said it\u2019s exciting to be lacing up for the derby.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a good game to watch, because when our sides go against each other it\u2019s a good game,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis season was awesome, last year COVID put a spanner in everybody works, but this season has been good.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bendigo Suns White go into the grand final undefeated, having beat Red on the two occasions the teams played each other.<\/p>\n
The central conference sees the team play one game every four weeks. This year Bendigo fielded 44 players and were able to help when Kyneton and Rupertswood were lacking numbers.<\/p>\n
White coach Josh Martin said while the league is based around inclusivity, there\u2019s always added excitement knowing medals are up for grabs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is something that for a lot of them it\u2019s all they do,\u201d he said. \u201cThere\u2019s a lot of excitement.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying in a grand final whether you\u2019re a junior, FIDA or senior player is really exciting. It\u2019ll be great for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Martin said he\u2019s \u201cquietly confident\u201d that his squad will come out on top.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn saying that, I\u2019ve been there a lot of times when you\u2019re confident and you\u2019ve been the winning team,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing the team that\u2019s meant to win isn\u2019t always a good position to be in. Red will have an underdog mentality and it could go either way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rupertswood face Kyneton in the third-place playoff and the Bendigo showdown begins at 1pm. A coffee van, canteen and raffle will be on site and entry is free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IT\u2019S an all Bendigo showdown in the grand final of the Football Integration Development Association central conference. On Sunday, 7 August, Weeroona Oval plays host to the match between Bendigo Suns White and Bendigo Suns Red. FIDA provides people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to play Australian Rules football. Bendigo Suns White player Crystal […]<\/p>\n