Five Fremantle players saw first-hand the impressive work happening in All Abilities football as they lent a hand at a Starkick training session at Coolbinia Bombers Junior Football Club on Wednesday night.

Starkick is an initiative started by the Coolbinia Bombers Junior Football Club in 2014 and has been supported by the Fremantle Dockers Foundation since 2016.

The initiative is now expanding throughout the metropolitan area with the East Fremantle Junior Football Club and the Joondalup Kinross Junior Football Club also forming Starkick teams. 

Matt Taberner was joined by Bradley Hill, Taylin Duman, Brennan Cox and Ethan Hughes for the session, which focused on providing an opportunity for children with special needs and all ability levels to play AFL football. 

“It’s been great to come down and see these kids and get amongst it,” Taberner said.

“It’s my first time working with Star Kick. They’re a great bunch of kids and I’m really embracing it. 

Despite the cold weather and rain on Wednesday night, the kids’ enthusiasm for the game wasn’t dampened.

“They’re ecstatic just to be out here,” Taberner said.

“It’s pretty tough conditions to train in but they’ve all got smiles on their faces and they’re really enjoying it.

“It’s been great to get out and to grass roots footy. I remember fondly my memories when I got the chance to meet some AFL players when I was a kid and it’s the same with these kids. 

“You realise how much it means to someone that age and it’s great seeing how much it means it them.”