THIS is football, a variation on the game, but at the top levels can be just as passionately competitive with statisticians, a full set of umpires and post-game video analysis.
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Especially in Bendigo.
Balloon Football made its first venture into Ballarat on Wednesday, with participants from Scope and McCallum Disability Services getting into play at Wendouree Netball Centre.
Scope Balloon Football League was invented 20 years ago by three men living with disabilities, who wanted to find a way to play the game they loved watching so much. The five-a-side games for people with disabilities feature a ruck, half-forward, half-back, full back and full forward on each team. Players are in wheelchairs (motorised or manually wheeled about) in designated zones and can hit the ball with any part of their body to get goals.
St Albans Scope sent two footballers to help show Ballarat the ropes, including all-star and league best goaler Meagan Brown.
“It’s fun when you play and score lots of goals,” the Collingwood fanatic said.
Fellow St Albans footballer Rosanna Cannata, a Western Bulldogs fan, likes umpiring in goals and playing up forward. She said the best advice for new players was to enjoy themselves and keep learning about the game.
Scope is gauging interest for a league in Ballarat.
Neighbour Geelong is relatively new to the AFL Victoria-endorsed competition but has a steady core of regular players. The game has more than 200 footballers in Melbourne.
Scope community inclusive officer Emmanuel Pimentez said Bendigo was the strongest league. Bendigo players had really embraced the concept and had taken up running the league and helping to build up other regional leagues.
.“I do a lot of analysis but you can really see the full benefits,” Mr Pimentez said. “...Like any sport, you can also meet new people, and it creates awareness of everyone sharing the same space together.”
Scope’s next Balloon Football League come and try day is on Wednesday October 12, 10am-noon at Wendouree Netball Centre.