Australia’s Paralympic Football Team, the Pararoos, have received a major boost on their road to qualifying for the 2019 International Federation for Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF) World Cup with Zest Care signing on as the Pararoos’ inaugural official partner.

Zest Care, a government approved In-Home Child Care and Disability Support Provider, has aligned itself with the Pararoos and will provide funding and backing in order to secure the team’s future until 2019.

“This commitment by Zest Care is great news for the Pararoos as it provides stability and assurance for the team and allows it to focus on representing Australia proudly on the international stage,” said FFA CEO David Gallop.

“The Pararoos are a fantastic example of football’s inclusiveness and how it is a sport for everyone.”

“Like all of our national teams, the Pararoos wear their hearts on their sleeves every time they take the field whether it’s in training or matches, so we look forward to following their progress towards the 2019 World Cup.”

Zest Care General Manager Jeremy Dykes emphasized the organisation’s excitement about partnering with the Pararoos.

“We see a great synergy between Zest Care and the values the Pararoos represent,” said Dykes.

“Since 2001, we have been helping individuals and families overcome challenges and achieve their goals - we are both excited and proud to support the Pararoos’ journey to the World Cup in 2019.”

Zest Care General Manager, Partnerships Liam Whitley added: “The timing couldn’t be more perfect; nor a team that fits better with our own values of engagement and perseverance. Zest Care has a range of things in the pipeline at the moment and it’s amazing that we are able to support the Pararoos along the way.”

Pararoos Head coach Kai Lammert expressed his gratitude to Zest Care for their commitment.

“We are really excited to have Zest Care as our inaugural sponsor. This sponsorship allows us to have more training camps in the lead up to the World Championships,” said Lammert.

“We hope this is the start of a long and successful partnership as we look towards the 2019 World Cup.”

Pararoos captain David Barber echoed Lammert’s sentiments.

“Having Zest Care as the inaugural sponsor of the Pararoos means so much and is an incredible boost for our team and program,” said Barber.

“The Pararoos have for a long time worked in and around the community engaging young people with disabilities all over the country, helping them on their development journey and giving them something to aspire to as they chase their dreams.

“With the support of Zest Care, our team can really focus hard on preparing and performing at our very best, to lift the Pararoos into international contention for many years to come.”

The announcement coincides with the Pararoos currently holding a three day training camp at ABD Stadium in the Victorian suburb of Broadmeadow, the home of PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria club Hume City FC.

The camp includes an open training session this afternoon (Saturday 3 March) from 2.30-4.30pm giving the public an opportunity to turn up and show their support.

There will also be a host of community engagement initiatives with the assistance of Football Federation Victoria to continue raising awareness of the Pararoos program and the important role sport plays in the community for both abled people and those with a disability.

“This camp serves three key purposes. Firstly to build and develop our team as we begin to fine tune our game both technically and tactically for the World Championships in Argentina later this year,” said Barber.

“It’s also an opportunity to introduce new players into the squad so that they can challenge for selection into the senior team, while it also allows us to engage with the community. We have received so much support over the past couple of years which has been overwhelming and very humbling.”

“The opportunity to have an open session and meet some of the wonderful fans that have been so supportive to our team is something that we are all really looking forward to. Who knows, we might even inspire a future Pararoo or two while we are at it.”

The training camp has been made possible with the support of Hume City FC, the council of Hume City and Football Federation Victoria.

The general public can donate to the Pararoos and their quest to get to the 2019 World Cup by going to asf.org.au/road-to-the-world-cup

Pararoos squad – Melbourne Training Camp 3-5 March 2017

Ben Atkins, David Barber, Chris Barty, Thomas Goodman, Matthew Hearne, Connor Marsh, Nicholas Prescott, Christopher Pyne, Benjamin Roche, Christian Tsangas, Jack Williams, Jordan De Stefano, Alessandro La Verghetta, Sam Larkings, Zac Jones, Ben Sutton, Jack Starkey, Raymond Ellery, Cosimo Cirillo, Ned McCabe, Rodrigue Niyongere

About Zest Care:

Zest Care is a Government approved In-Home Child Care and Disability Support Provider offering quality, personalised care plans designed around an individual’s needs and goals.

With over 16 years’ experience and a range of specialist In-Home Child Care plans that have already helped thousands of families across New South Wales, Zest Care have evolved to accommodate the needs of participants of the National Insurance Disability Scheme (NDIS).

With a focus in the Early Childhood and Youth sector, Zest Care has extensive experience in supporting individuals and families with physical disabilities, mental health, behavioural difficulties, special educational needs and early childhood education. Their carers have proven industry experience and are carefully selected to make a positive impact and achieve attainable outcomes.

For more visit zestcare.net.au

About the Pararoos:

“We are Australia’s Paralympic Football Team representing our country in international 7-a-side competition for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms acquired from stroke.

We are the sporting example of the proud Australian tradition of a fair go, demonstrated in how we train, play and behave on and off the field. We are a group of young footballers who are honoured to pull on the green and gold jersey, who live with the challenges of disability every day and despite the odds, do what we love – play our beautiful game. Our vision is to play the best in the world and beat the best in the world and be an inspiration to over 700,000 Australians with similar disabilities. We stand together, we fight together, we are one. This is our story. We are the Pararoos.”

For more visit paralympic.footballaustralia.com.au