A group of the club's AFLW players came up against some of the state's biggest stars to raise awareness for the International Day of People with Disability.

Port Adelaide’s long running support of Novita, a partnership first started by club legend, Russell Ebert, continued this week when five Port Adelaide AFLW players took to the courts to go head-to-head with some of the state’s biggest sporting stars in the charity’s festival of sport.

Gemma Houghton, Sarah Goodwin, Lily Johnson, and Litonya and Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap took time out of their well-earned off season to take part in the festivities, aimed at raising awareness for the International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD), and the various other wheelchair sporting codes.

Coming up against stars from the Adelaide Football Club, Adelaide 36ers, Adelaide United, SACA and SANFL, the clubs AFLW stars took part in an inclusive and light-hearted competition of wheelchair AFL, with each team captained by a Novita client.

Describing the event as an incredibly wholesome and rewarding experience, AFLW star Gemma Houghton reflected on the importance of increasing public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability in the community.

“Raising awareness and encouraging the acceptance of people with disability in the community is so important, and something I am incredibly proud to have played a small part in”, Miss Houghton said.

“The kids that I met yesterday were inspirational. Regardless of the challenges they face daily, their positive outlook on life was infectious, and I learnt so much from them.

A partnership first started by club legend, Russell Ebert, Port Adelaide has long supported Novita.

“I also have a totally new level of respect for wheelchair sports athletes. The skill and fitness level required to compete in any of the wheelchair sporting codes at any level is remarkable.

“To also be able to support the incredible work of Novita, a charity I know is very important to the club and close to the heart of one of the club greats in Russell, was an absolute privilege and I’m very grateful to have been invited to take part”.

Novita Chief Executive Officer Greg Ward says that every day Novita supports people living with disability to achieve their independence, education, employment, and social goals and promotes inclusion and community acceptance.

“In line with the objectives of the International Day of People with Disability, at Novita we challenge the way the world thinks about disability, and we support a more inclusive society, with positive participation in sport and all areas of life”, Mr. Ward said.

The official IDPwD is Saturday, December 3 and there are a range of ways communities, workplaces or schools can get involved, you can find more information here.