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12 | THE REVIEW SEPT 2025 Adaptive football programme brings in the players Flynn O’Connor loves the challenge of playing football with his mates. By MELANIE LOUDEN Flynn O’Connor comes from a football-loving family and has stood on many sidelines watching his father and older brother play. So when he wanted to start playing football himself, mum Laura approached their Auckland club, Eastern Suburbs AFC, and asked if they would be happy to run a football programme for kids with a disability. “They were on board right away,” Laura says. Nine-year-old Flynn, who lives with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi, has now been playing adaptive football since 2023. At Eastern Suburbs, players take part in weekly training sessions where they do skills, drills and mini games. “The children come along and just do everything to the best of their ability,” Laura says. “Some things can be tricky for them, so as well as it being fun they are also challenged. The coaches are so kind and patient and make sure everyone is included and they will adapt certain tasks for children if required.” Laura has seen adaptive football benefit Flynn in a number of ways. “I knew it would be great exercise [for him] but mostly I desperately wanted him to be able to do what all his friends did. It’s no fun just watching. The real fun starts when you can join in! Seeing his passion and knowledge for the sport grow has been amazing.” Laura says Flynn’s running