While the Socceroos are away representing the country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, one of Australia’s other national teams is preparing for their own shot at World Cup glory in 2019.
The Pararoos are Australia’s national side for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms acquired from stroke, who proudly wear the green and gold in international seven-a-side competition.
The Pararoos have their eye on the 2019 International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football World Cup in Madrid in July next year.
After the Australian Sports Commission withdrew all government funding in 2015, Football Federation Australia partnered with the Australian Sports Foundation to establish a tax-deductible fund to raise money to support the players’ footballing dreams. That support helped the Pararoos compete in tournaments in Denmark and Argentina in 2016 and 2017.
One of those players is Taj Lynch. The Engadine Eagles product, who already has experience at state and national level, was one of 10 NSW-based players chosen in a 25-man squad for the Pararoos’ first training camp of the year at Valentine Sports Park in March.
The camp was part of the team’s preparations for the IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships in Iran in November which double as qualifiers for the World Cup.
Freelance filmmaker Tom Ferguson funded his own pro-bono project where he documented the Pararoos’ journey over the last 18 months. The documentary screened on June 4, with all money raised going towards the Pararoos’ World Cup qualifying campaign.
Donate, more info: pararoos.com.au/pararoos-movie
