In 2004 St Ives Football began their Special Needs Football sports program reaching beyond the traditional competitive games to offer children with disabilities the chance to get involved in sport.
The Member for Davidson, Jonathan O'Dea, today delivered a speech in Parliament commending the St Ives Football Club for providing children with autistic spectrum disorder, down syndrome and intellectual disabilities with a modified, non-competitive form of soccer. With the original younger group of children aged from about 6 to 12, a 'chaperone' is allowed to assist and guide each child on the field. There is now also an older age group which largely play independently.
“A couple of Saturdays ago I attended a Special Needs Football Gala day called "Oddball Saturday", sponsored by St Ives Shopping Village. About 30 children participated at Toolang Oval in St Ives.
"Normally the children are quite serious about their Saturday training, but the gala day was a bit different, while being great fun," Mr O'Dea said.
Mr O'Dea said the name "Oddball Saturday" derives from the variety of a super-sized soccer ball, a rugby ball and squirt bottles on a beach ball.
"Past President and Davidson constituent, David Howard, initiated the Special Needs Program. It has been successful to the extent that it has now spread from St Ives to more than 10 clubs and areas around NSW, including West Pymble. It has crossed across the Tasman to New Zealand." said Mr O'Dea.
"The efforts and contribution of people like David Howard deserve acknowledgement and encouragement in NSW Parliament." Mr O'Dea concluded.
