A bond between Adelaide players and young people with special needs has been forged as the Adelaide Crows Foundation and Variety- the Children’s Charity’s new Inclusive Academy kicked off.

The four-week football program between the Club and Variety is aimed at helping young people develop key football skills while forging new friendships.

It formed part of Variety’s $300,000, three-year commitment to work with the Crows and officially kicked off on Tuesday.

Kym Meers, whose daughter Izla was part of Tuesday night’s session, said the partnership between the Crows Foundation and Variety helped children with disabilities feel included. 

“This opportunity is absolutely amazing,” Meers said.

“I don’t think until you’re here you’ll understand the impact something like this has for children with disabilities.

“The smiles and the laughter will show the Crows Foundation and Variety that this is an absolutely amazing opportunity.”

Before training began, Izla told AFC Media she was excited to get started.

“I like tackling with all the Crows boys and the Crows girls,” Izla said. 

“My favourite players are Tom Doedee, Rory Sloane and Jackson Hatley.

“It’s going to be fun and we are going to do some tackling.”

Crows AFLW captain Chelsea Randall helped lead the activities and said she was proud to be involved.

“Footy is for everyone and it’s so amazing these young people with an intellectual disability can come and enjoy football, make new friends and have a real sense of belonging,” Randall said.

“It’s great we are able to bring lots of AFL and AFLW players around these young people to support them in learning the basic skills of football and have a lot of fun along the way.

“We’ll go through some ground balls, some kicking, some handballing, all the things that make our game great.

“Having Variety and the Crows Foundation supporting a program like this really helps out the parents who do everything they possibly can for their children.”