IN a groundbreaking initiative one family is making history in the St George Football Association.
Earlier this year the Leader reported a new community football program was being launched in 2015 throughout the St George district.
The Grabovac triplets — Adam, Liam and Oliver, 11, from Penshurst — play in the under-11s competition in the St George Football Association. They play with the St George Warriors and the Hurstville ZSC.
The St George Warriors team was introduced in 2015 catering for children with special needs.
Adam Grabovac has Down syndrome and the program gives him the chance to play mainstream football on a weekly basis in the SGFA competition.
His brother Liam also plays at the grassroots level for Hurstville ZSC.
The third boy, Oliver, was chosen in the district's elite program, St George SAP under-11s program, recognised as one of the best football development programs by Football NSW.
The St George Warriors is the legacy of late Darryl Hancock, who was president Carss Park FC.
Hancock's belief was football was to be played and enjoyed by boys and girls of all ages.
This year 22 players made their debut for the St George Warriors and organisers are confident the program will only get bigger and better in the future.
The SGFA and Carss Park FC believe this to be unique in NSW with the triplets given an equal opportunity to play sport with and against one another on a level playing field.
People interested in enrolling in the special needs and mainstream programs can visitcarssparkfootballclub.com.au or email specialneedsfootball@carssparkfootballclub.com.au.
For all other SGFA programs, visit http://sgfa.com.au.