Geelong Cats help kick off Autism Awareness celebrations
More than 60 children and adults from Gateways Support Services had a ball down at Simonds Stadium on Tuesday 5 April with the Geelong Cats as part of our Autism Awareness month celebrations.
Geelong Cats star and Gateways Support Services ambassador, Harry Taylor, along with team mates Mitch Clark, Michael Luxford, James Parsons, Matthew Waybill and Jock Cornell all took to the field for the extra special training session. The clinic was a unique experience for many of the clients we support who all thoroughly enjoyed joining the Cats out on the ground to kick the footy, hear tips and practice drills with their footy idols.
Gateways Support Services CEO, Rosemary Malone said that throughout the month of April people are encouraged to ‘go blue’ to help raise awareness of people living with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.
“The Geelong Cats and our ambassador Harry Taylor, have been long-time supporters of Gateways, helping to bring awareness and opportunities to people with a disability. What better way to ‘go blue’ for Autism Awareness and celebrate the unique skills, abilities and contributions people with autism make in our community than by partnering with the Cats to hold this special event,” Rosemary Malone said.
Local artist and inspiring role model for people with autism, Liam O’Neil, was one of the Gateways clients who attended the footy clinic.
“I had a really fun day meeting Harry and all the guys,” Liam O’Neil said.
Liam’s mother Ailsa thanked both Gateways and Geelong Cats for yesterday’s footy clinic.
“As a parent I was so appreciative of the encouragement and support especially that the younger Cats players showed to everyone who was there yesterday,” Ailsa O’Neil said.
“To see all the smiling faces was just fantastic. It’s wonderful that through Gateways Liam and the other kids still have the opportunity to be included in activities that everyone else can enjoy,” Ailsa O’Neil added.
“Geelong Cats, through its community partnership program, is proud to be able to offer special experiences such as today’s clinic. It is always a pleasure to work with the families and staff from Gateways and our players love the genuine opportunity to meet young supporters and fans of the game,” Simone Bellears, Acting GM Community said.
Take a look at some of the action from the clinic:
