Perth native Matilda Mason hopes to inspire the next generation while creating her own destiny after being named as one of 19 players in the Canberra United All Abilities Academy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mason, who suffers from cerebral palsy and epilepsy, moved to Canberra from Western Australia to pursue an opportunity to be a part of the newly launched academy which includes players aged 10 to 44.
It is believed to be the first all-ability football academy aligned with either an A-League or W-League club.
Although Mason has only been playing the sport for a year and a half, she wants to be a pioneer for the younger generation of all-ability soccer players chasing their dreams.
Mason moved from Perth to Canberra just before COVID-19 hit, but she wasn't letting the virus stop her pursuing her goals and inspiring others along the way.
"I moved here about a week before COVID happened, which wasn't great," Mason said.
"I feel like I have got something to give back, I am glad I moved when I did, and I would not change a thing."
Mason came to the Capital to pursue a once in a lifetime opportunity and hoped to be a pioneer for athletes with a disability.
"Cerebral Palsy just fell into my lap really, we didn't have the resources growing up and my family and I did not really know how to deal with it," Mason said.
"Now to be a part of big thing within Australia and the world, I am hoping to promote and provide assistance to the younger generation.
"I want to make sure they are okay, and they can and will get somewhere within this sport."
Canberra United All Abilities coaches Kelly Stirton and Phillip Booth were key factors behind Mason's decision to move away and be a part of the academy.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Mason had high praises for Stirton and Booth, and revealed that a current Pararoo was one of the reasons she decided to give football a go.
"I got invited to nationals and played with Kelly [Scott] and Boothy, they are the ones who got me here," Mason said.
"Brad Scott has cerebral palsy and plays for the Pararoos, he asked to me come along to an event in Bunbury promoting the sport, he asked to me to be a female advocate.
"I fell in love with the sport, I had the invitation from Kelly and me being a part of one of the two female teams in the nationals, a lot of the other states were jealous."
Cerebral Palsy just fell into my lap really, we didn't have the resources growing up and my family and I did not really know how to deal with it
- Matilda Mason
With the inclusion of the academy, Capital Football CEO Phil Brown was very proud of Canberra's newest addition.
"It was an idea from Kelly Stirton, historically we had been providing opportunities for participation but not for those players to develop their skills," Brown said.
"It gives these athlete's a steppingstone, to build up from the leagues they play in here but also hopefully one day represent the athlete's with disabilities futsal or even the Pararoos."
Stirton believed that this academy was deeper than just the football and also provided some insight into what the program was about.
"This is so important, they are the same as us, even though they have a disability, doesn't mean they can't go out and chase a goal," Stirton said.
"It will be skill based, focusing on their skills and some hard fitness work we have going at the moment, preventing injuries and getting them fit for games."
"They go to CP [cerebral palsy] nationals, that is where the players are looked at by Pararoos officials, we have Luc Launder who is 15 and is on the fringe of the Pararoos.
"We have futsal nationals; they get scouted for the identity champions which are played all over the world.
"Half these guys will play for the Pararoos."
