The Western Knights Soccer Club and Football West Equal Footingball Division teams will observe a moment of silence this weekend as a mark of respect to local Powerchair Football players Conor Murphy and Kyle Scolari, who tragically passed away this week.
Both were founding players of Powerchair Football (Electric Wheelchair Football) and an inspiration in organising sports and opportunities for people with disabilities at Rocky Bay. As part of the Western Knights Soccer Club, Conor was instrumental in starting the organised competition, now a fully recognised competition under Football West.
“Conor was an inspiration in running and promoting Power Football (electric wheelchair football) at Rocky Bay. Back in October 2010 as part of the Western Knights we were privileged to start the competition with him at Rocky Bay” said Luke Jurcevic, Western Knights Disability Inclusion Manager.
Football West’s Inclusive Development Officer Gordon Duus described both men as admirable and keen students, social inclusion advocates and athletes. “Kyle and Conor achieved in the face of adversity,” Duus said. “Conor was a keen student and jetsetter who when not travelling the country to speak would be travelling the country to play powerchair football for Western Australia. Kyle developed himself into an elite Powerchair Football player as his selection for the national team the Poweroos showed.”
In 2010, Conor was behind the introduction of powerchair football (a modified version of football for people in electric wheelchairs) to WA, realising the potential of a game already popular in the United States, Europe and Asia. Conor engaged Football West and The Centre for Cerebral Palsy for assistance with achieving greater inclusion for the powerchair football players and advocated for getting the sport into the mainstream club environment.
Murphy’s efforts led to more venues being used for powerchair football to engage with more local players.
The entire Western Knights Soccer Club family would like to extend their heartfelt condolences to the Murphy and Scolari family during this difficult time. Our thoughts are with you.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/24468552/mates-had-so-much-to-give/