AFL NSW/ACT Rams take on the nation at Inclusion Carnival
The 2022 Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival returns for the first time since 2019, and a team of young men from NSW and the ACT couldn’t be happier to pull on a Rams guernsey to represent our state and territory on the national stage.
The National Inclusion Carnival sees male footballers with an intellectual disability from across the country face off for their state or territory hoping to be crowned national champions. The Carnival will be held in the Barossa Valley, South Australia this year from 5-10 November.
It’s a busy schedule for these athletes, players will barely have the opportunity to sample the Barossa’s famous produce – there’s plenty of footy to be had! Two lightning carnivals will be played, one on Sunday and one on Monday, to grade teams, with NSW/ACT playing seven ~20-minute games.
Sound exhausting? After a day’s rest, teams settle into the tournament on Wednesday 9 November, playing matches with fixed 10-minute quarters, 2:30 quarter breaks and five-minute half time breaks.
The finals and grand finals will be contested on Thursday, 10 November.
All matches Wednesday and Thursday will be streamed on the AFL Inclusion Facebook page.
Coaching the NSW/ACT Rams is Kasey Paradis, an experienced coach and Development Coordinator working with AFL NSW/ACT who has worked to grow Kickablility programs across Sydney. “The team is very excited to play,” he said. “For many of them it’s the first time they have played AFL since the 2019 carnival.
“The team consists of an even split of past Rams players and new Rams players, so I am excited to see how everyone comes together to not only assist the new players to ensure they feel comfortable, but also breathe new life into our experienced veterans.” (Read Kasey Paradis’ full statement below.)
Visit the website for more on the 2022 Toyota National Inclusion Carnival.
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Presenting our NSW/ACT Rams for the 2022 Toyota AFL National Inclusion Carnival
The following players have been selected from across NSW and the ACT to represent us at the National Inclusion Carnival.
Congratulations all player and GO RAMS!
| # | Name | Region |
| 1 | Benson Holt | Temora |
| 3 | Heath McDonald | Albury |
| 4 | Dion Kalogiros | Alfords Point |
| 5 | Cameron Gudgeon | Canberra |
| 6 | Taylor Hanson | Picton |
| 7 | Dallas Starr | Rosewood |
| 8 | Angus McDonald | Canberra |
| 9 | Daniel Kime | Springwood |
| 10 | Damon Rowett | Wallsend |
| 11 | Daniel Beck | Wallsend |
| 12 | Jack Stevens | Jindera |
| 14 | Sam Fogarty | Canberra |
| 15 | Dylan Donaldson | Mount Druitt |
| 30 | Michael Cooke | Cardiff |
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Head Coach: Kasey Paradis
Assistant Coach: Reece Gledhill
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Coach Kasey Paradis about the team
The National Inclusion Carnival is important because it gives the opportunity for players around Australia to showcase their talents against the best players in the country. It also gives these players an outlet to express themselves on the sporting field and connect with players within the state and across the country.
The team is very excited to play. For many of them it’s the first time they have played AFL since the 2019 carnival. The build up has been different to years prior. We have a unique blend of players from across the state and territory, so we held training hubs in Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle to get everyone prepared for the carnival. On top of that the weather has played a disruptive role, resulting in a few cancelled sessions along the way. But when we’ve held training, it’s been amazing to see all the players forming strong bonds and pushing each other to train and play at a high standard ahead of the carnival.
Our team consists of an even split of past Rams players and new Rams players, so I am excited to see how everyone comes together to not only assist the new players to ensure they feel comfortable, but also breathe new life into our experienced veterans.
When speaking to past Rams players and coaches, they speak of the profound impact the carnival has on you and its lasting legacy on players, coaches and parents. Players walking into the camp for the first time will come away with mates for life, not just within their own team but from the other states too.
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