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WA Intellectual Disability Football (WAID) is a development program for youth and adults with intellectual disability, providing a clear pathway to competitive football at state, national, and international levels.
What the program offers:
Training sessions focused on skill-building, teamwork, and confidence.
Opportunities to compete and represent WA and Australia at state, national and international competitions.
Support for players aiming for international competition and advanced pathways.
Through inclusive coaching and a supportive community, WAID empowers every participant to reach their potential, celebrate their achievements, and experience the thrill of competitive football.
This program is suitable for experienced players with intellectual disability (players under 16 years old will be considered individually for participation in a development program).
Players need to provide evidence of an intellectual disability in accordance with Sport Inclusion Australia and must be training at a performance/elite level equivalent to Division 1 in Equal Footingball.
People with intellectual disability face significant barriers to participating in sport at all levels — from grassroots to elite pathways — due to limited inclusive programs, lack of structured development pathways, cost, transport and a shortage of trained coaches and competitions.
of people with disability participate in organised sport in Australia.
of people with disability are physically inactive, compared to about 34% of people without disability.
of people with intellectual disability have access to structured sport pathways beyond grassroots participation.
WAID provides accessible football training for experienced players with intellectual disability aged 16+, preparing them for state and national representation.
In the lead up to a major competition, players join weekly Saturday sessions in Perth, focusing on skill development from social play through to high-performance competition.
Players receive support from qualified coaches in a welcoming environment that builds confidence, teamwork, and pathways to representative opportunities like state and national teams.
Meet Emily Casella, the only female player in Western Australia’s Intellectual Disability Football Team, heading to the 2025 Genuine World Cup in Houston. Living with autism, Emily once struggled to find her place—until Football Futures Foundation gave her a pathway to belong, lead, and shine. Through inclusive football, Emily is breaking barriers and proving that every player deserves a chance to represent their country.
Meet Emily