Welcome to the 2024 Season of FIDA
(Offering football to people with an intellectual disability, aged 18 and over)
Contact Name: Clinic Coordinator - Steven Johnston
Email Address: Montrose FIDA Contact
The Montrose Football Club, in partnership with Yarra Ranges Council and the Football Integration Development Association, FIDA, are offering people with an intellectual disability, aged 18 and over, the opportunity to learn the skills of Australian Rules Football. The Clinics began at Montrose in 2004 and several successful school and weekend Clinics were co-ordinated by David Harbinson, then MFC Secretary, who worked for Melba Support Services, and then Chris Dowling who organised the program for some 19 years. The Clinics are a joint initiative between the Montrose Football Club, Yarra Ranges Council and Access for all Abilities.
The Clinics include skill development activities including drills, games, and practice matches, similar to what is being offered at Auskick Clinics. It is hoped the players will learn the skills of the game and may be recruited to the Ringwood Blues or other local FIDA teams (for people over 18). The participants may also choose to stay with our FIDA Clinics for as long as they wish. We have 2 participants who have exceeded the 150 game milestone!
2024 is the 20th season the Club has conducted the Clinics and there is now a strong core group of regulars who really enjoy attending and the lunch afterwards with parents, carers, and the coaching team as well as senior players.
We welcome new participants at any time. The only requirement in the way of uniform are runners and comfortable clothing. All participants are provided with a Montrose FC Guernsey by one of our generous sponsors, the Lilydale Rotary Club. On the Sunday following the last clinic each season, there is a Presentation lunch attended by Club officials, sponsors of the Clinics, coaches, and of course all participants, family, and friends.
Montrose Football Club also welcomes spectators with a Disability to all home games (where one of our clinic participants gets to toss the coin for the senior match), as well as their parents and carers. The pavilion is access friendly, with a lift to the first floor and ramp at the front entrance.
All clinics are held at the Montrose Football Club, 950 Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road Montrose, between 11am and 1pm on alternate Sundays during the season.
There is a $10 fee to attend each clinic which includes lunch served by our wonderful volunteers. If participants are eligible for NDIS funding the club provides receipts for each attendance fee paid.
NB – we will accept older children provided that a parent or guardian accompanies them.
For further information please contact the FIDA Clinic Co-Ordinator,
Steven Johnston
Mobile: 0419 376 584
Email: FIDA Contact