What better way to launch a football season than an exhibition match played under clear skies and in the spirit of friendly competition?

FIDA, the Football Integration Development Association,  launched its 2026 season with a terrific game between the FIDA Local Legends and the Parliamentary Owls, at Fearon Reserve, Williamstown on Sunday 12 April.

The Local Legends, sponsored by InLife, featured players from across Victoria, while the Studiotech Owls were a combination of state politicians and FIDA executives.

Pre-match addresses in the changerooms were a mix of footy instructions, getting-to-know-each-other, and humour. As the Local Legends ran out onto the field one player called out, “Who’s captain?”  As the Owls made their way onto the ground co-coach Anthony Scolyer (Fountain Gate) called out, “Don’t do your hammies in the warm-up!”

Local Legends captain Melissa Lane (Ringwood Spiders) won the toss and kicked with the wind, towards the Williamstown Botanic Gardens. Alas, the Owls were first to score, with a very quick goal. The Legends then kept the ball in their half of the ground to build an 11 point lead at quarter-time.

“Love what you’re doing,” said Owls co-coach Andrew Johnstone (Fountain Gate) in the quarter time huddle. “Love all that handball, but four handballs within five metres might be overdoing things a bit. You’ve got the wind now, kick it long.”

The Owls were again first on the scoreboard early in the quarter but were still 15 points down at half-time.

“Despite all of us only meeting each other this morning,” said Local Legends co-coach Luke Marruso (Geelong West Giants) at half-time, “we’re a team, and a good one at that.”

Two quick goals by the Owls at the start of the third quarter looked ominous but the Local Legends again piled on the pressure and the scoring shots. They were three goals up with one quarter to go but kicking into the wind for the final stanza.

The Owls, courtesy of some big torps, were only four points down with less than two minutes on the clock. A boilover looked a distinct possibility but the younger, fitter Legends ran out the game, finishing with a classic goal on the final siren and claiming the inaugural Footy4Everyone Perpetual Cup.

“Well, that was heaps of fun,” said FIDA president Logan Whitaker at the post-match presentation. Logan (who was busy in the backline for the Owls) thanked everyone for their involvement – players, supporters, sponsors, volunteers – and paid special tribute to Chris Ryan for her many years of passionate FIDA volunteering and to Amanda Bresnan, outgoing FIDA general manager and one of the architects of the season launch exhibition match.

The Fairest & Best Player Awards were won by Vikhram Jholl (Mazenod Panthers) and Eric Pellen (Wyndham Tigers).

Williamstown’s Ray ‘Burger’ Warren was presented with FIDA Life Membership for his many years of playing.

The day had a mini-carnival feel to it: plenty of smiling faces, music from DJ Harry, sponsors’ stalls, a busy canteen, and sunshine by the sea.

As state MP Melissa Horne, another key driver of the game, said at the brief pre-match formalities, “FIDA does an amazing job.”

 

Final scores

FIDA Local Legends

2.5 (17)   4.7 (31)    7.10 (52)   8.11 (59)

The Owls
1.0 (6)      2.4 (16)    5.4 (34)        7.6 (48)

The politicians playing for the Owls included representatives (women and men) of the Labor, Liberal and One Nation parties.

The FIDA 2026 season begins on April 19, featuring 900 players across 32 clubs.

FIDA provides inclusive and accessible opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to plat Austrralian Rules football.