Page 28 - AFL Queensland 2015 Year in Review

DAYNE BEAMS JOINS AFLQ AS DISABILITY INCLUSION AMBASSADOR
“I get to watch them enjoy themselves, that’s the best thing. You see the joy the kids get out of it and it’s really wo hwhile.”
That’s Brisbane Lions star, and new AFL Queensland Disability Inclusion Ambassador, Dayne Beams, talking about how rewarding his role is.
Beams will work with AFL Queensland to promote awareness of the oppo unities to play Australian football that are available to people with a disability, which is an area Beams holds very close to his hea .
His pa ner’s brother, Mark, who has Down syndrome, has had a huge impact on his life.
“He is an extrave , Mark, so he
is very loud and very out there. Whenever I was feeling a li le bit down or had a bad day, even if I wasn’t with Kelly I would go around there and he was always someone who would make you laugh and make you smile,” Beams said.
“He has been great for my life, and not only that but he is a huge pa of Kelly’s life. They have got
a really close bond and she loves him to bits, so he is someone that is impo ant to her so is impo ant to me.”
The Australian Bureau of Statistics
cites 20 per cent of Australians as having some form of disability, so having programs for people with disabilities to pa icipate in football is vital.
“It’s not about the kick mark handball, it’s more about ge ing involved
in a team spo ,
and being able to get around a team environment so that they can feel a pa of something and make some friends along the way,” Beams said.
“For them to get involved with a team spo and being able to be around other kids is great.”
Although still new to the role, it has had an immediate impact on him.
“I was at the inclusion trials at Metricon Stadium the other week and their favorite pa was running the lap of honour and waving to
all the fans that were rolling in for the Gold Coast Fremantle game,” Beams said.
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