By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
POLITICIANS can be pretty willing when they’re in Parliament House, but get them on the soccer pitch and they become even more competitive.
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams and State Treasurer Tim Pallas were among the seven MPs who took to the field in a friendship match against players from the Doveton Special Soccer School (DSSS) on Saturday.
Ms Williams and the school’s founder and director Juan Carlos Loyola organised the match, held at Waratah Reserve in Eumemmering, to co-incide with the end of the club’s 2015 program, and to raise awareness of the school’s valuable work.
The game ended in a 10-1 thrashing in favour of the DSSS, and was followed by a barbecue and a formal presentation.
The DSSS gives opportunities for intellectually disabled children and adults across Victoria to play soccer, develop their skills and make new friends.
Carlos has run the DSSS for more than 24 years with the help of volunteers, parents and community support.
“The school is a credit to our local community,” Ms Williams said.
“It ensures that people of all abilities have an opportunity to engage in physical activity, and benefit from the social rewards of playing team sport.”
