Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League wins Active Inclusion Award

By ZAC MILBANK

The inaugural Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League has won the Active Inclusion Award at the prestigious Sport SA Awards announced on Sunday.

Introduced in 2021, the Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League was played weekly at the Lights Community and Sports Centre in an exciting and team-orientated environment.

Played from July through to September, the competition included teams representing four SANFL clubs – Central District, Norwood, Sturt and Woodville-West Torrens.

”Winning the Active Inclusion Award is great recognition for the success of the Novita SANFL Wheelchair Football League in its first season,” SANFL Disability Programs Coordinator Nathan Pepper said.

”The success of the competition was due to the manner in which the four SANFL clubs embraced the concept and the players, along with the dedication and support of our team captains.

”We are looking forward to working with the clubs in 2022 to continue to build the competition and the profile of the sport.”

Played on a basketball court with goal posts at either end, Wheelchair Football involves teams of five facing off against each other with two defenders, two forwards and one midfielder.

Teams were made up of players of mixed gender, including a blend of those with, and without, a disability, ensuring the sport is attractive for everyone to participate.

The 2021 SANFLW Best and Fairest winner – West Adelaide’s Lauren Young – was a finalist for the Emerging Athlete of the Year Award after her stunning debut season with the Bloods.