The Perth Football League’s integrated competition is providing people with disabilities a platform to compete in Australian rules footy, but participants are struggling to afford the playing fees.

As we approach the AFL finals series in September, the campaign is well underway for the local league, with Willetton’s integrated side hunting a back-to-back premiership win, and a third flag for the club in its grade. 

The overwhelming positivity all abilities footy brings to the community is something that’s widely regarded as special by volunteers, participants and spectators.

Head coach of Willetton’s A division integrated team Kevin Phillips Sr has been coaching the side for seven years, leading them to the grand final every season, with the exception of this year after losing in a close preliminary final to Kelmscott. 

Coaching the side is a volunteer role, and it is something Mr Phillips enjoys doing to give back to his community. He buys oranges, washes jerseys and provides hot dogs after training for the players.

“It’s like a family to me,” he said.

“For people with disabilities, that’s their main focus, they love it. It’s all they talk about and they just can’t wait for the game.” 

Kevin Phillips Sr

However, the coach is calling for more sponsorship over concerns players in the integrated division can’t afford annual registration and the $20 playing fee to pay for umpires, who are paid for every game. 

“85 per cent of the guys don’t work, and if they do work they’re getting, to me, slave labour money,” he said. “20 bucks to them is a lot of money.”

Mr Phillips has taken matters into his own hands and is currently in conversation with Willetton McDonalds, hoping to receive local sponsorship to help keep all abilities football alive at Willetton.

According to a 2022 report from Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre at Curtin University, only 53.1 per cent of people with work-limiting disabilities are employed, compared to 81.8 per cent of people without. 

A partnership already exists between the Perth Football League and Life Without Barriers—a non-profit organisation that aims to remove lifestyle barriers for people with disabilities.

While Life Without Barriers provides financial support to help with running the competition, the cost of referees is not covered, and it is left up to the players to pay.

The Perth Football League has partnered with Life Without Barriers for eight years and has one year left on its current deal, with plans to renew the relationship going into 2027.

Perth Football League brand and growth manager Jarryd Emery said the sponsorship was of the utmost importance for the league.

“It’s a game for everyone and we can’t say it’s a game for everyone if we don’t have an all abilities competition.” 

Jarryd Emery

In response to being asked whether the league intends on growing all abilities football, Mr Emery said: “100 per cent”. 

He said the league wishes every club could have an integrated team but understands it is not possible. There are currently 14 clubs participating across two divisions, which is significant growth since 2009 when only four teams competed.

The renewal of the partnership between Life Without Barriers and the Perth Football League in 2027 will provide an opportunity for more funding to cover the playing fees for participants in the Perth’s integrated football competition.