Swan Districts announce Maurice Embley Medal for Integrated team

The Maurice Embley Medal will be awarded to the Swan Districts' Integrated team's most valuable player each season and it's an initiative that the club's Head of Social Impact, Matt Hewitson is particularly excited about.

"Maurice was the initial catalyst about 15 years ago on our journey towards launching our first Integrated team in 2022 and was the instigator and champion of the Count Me In Round which has now become a very important date in Swans calendar each year," Hewitson said.

"Through his career at the Disability Services Commission, Maurice has also played an integral role in the lives of some of our players. Maurice has had a direct and very important impact on the lives of so many people with disabilities over decades and I doubt that we would be where we are today as a club without Maurice’s efforts over the years."

The introduction of a Swan Districts Integrated team in 2022 is something that Hewitson is proud of as the club continues to expand into helping all members of the community and providing them an avenue to take part in sport or some form of physical activity.

"Our purpose as a club is to build community and develop people and creating our new team has certainly done that. So many of our players have never had the chance to play a team sport before, let alone football," Hewitson said.

"Our internal social impact measures have already demonstrated the impact we have had on our players physical and mental health and it has been rewarding to hear parents share that their child has a completely new outlook on life since they came to Swans. This is why we exist."

The Swan Districts Integrated team for 2022 has been coached by John Stone who was appointed to the role on the back of leading Coolbinia to six premierships in the Perth Football League's Integrated competition during a tremendous eight-year stretch.

Swan Districts' Integrated team defeated Ocean Ridge 7.3 (45) to 3.1 (19) in an elimination final after finishing the home and away season with three wins, seven losses and two draws.

The introduction of the Integrated team at Swan Districts in 2022 has proven a tremendous success and Hewitson has been uplifted by the way they have been embraced so whole heartedly.

"We have approached our Integrated team in the same way that we have approached the Count Me In Round over the years where we have tried to create an inclusive experience for players, as well as their families and support workers, that has been similar to someone playing in the WAFL or WAFLW," he said.

"They train at Steel Blue Oval, they use the same changerooms that their WAFL and WAFLW heroes use and of course, they are in all respects, players and members of the Swan Districts Football Club.

"We are very grateful to our GM Football, Phil Smart and our WAFL and WAFLW coaches who have embraced our new team and generously shared the playing surface on a Tuesday and Thursday night for training."

There has been tremendous support to the Swan Districts' Integrated team throughout 2022 and Hewitson is especially grateful to coach John Stone, and his wife Kylie who has been team manager.

"Likewise, we are very grateful for the financial support we have received from John Rowe and the Past Players & Officials Association, as well as Trevor Hoy and the Swansmen," Hewitson said.

"Building a team from scratch has been a challenge, but we have been very well led by our coach, John Stone, and our Team Manager, Kylie Stone, who’s contribution cannot be understated.

"This being our foundation year we were just keen to build a team and create a sense of belonging. Playing some really great football, winning games and playing finals has been a bonus."