Championing inclusive football

Active Opportunities
Selfless. Inspiring. Passionate

Keen footballer John Tansley is helping local children with intellectual needs enjoy the thrill of kicking a ball and enjoy the benefits of participating in a team sport.

For many years, John has bounced out of bed on Saturday mornings during term time to run the all-year Active Opportunities program at Cromer Park.

The Manly United program is for children aged five to 16 years and is affiliated with Special Olympics Northern Beaches. Active Opportunities also run another program for children out of Lindfield Football Club.

John has recruited 50 young players and a large group of volunteer coaches who want to put something back into the sport.

He has worked tirelessly with the local football Association and Manly United to obtain funding, equipment and uniforms so players can experience being part of the football club.

The family man is inspired by the positive impact this experience has on participants and their families.

“The interaction and seeing their confidence develop is seriously priceless,” John says.

John, who has been involved in volunteer work for 25 years, is thrilled with his nomination as a Westfield Local Hero. “This is community and inclusion at work, and it makes me extremely proud that our program has been recognised through this nomination,” he says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. Active Opportunities will use its funds to pay for special needs training for volunteers. The grant will also cover new equipment, volunteer uniforms and bus hire for a club trip to Canberra/ Wagga Wagga in 2022.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here.