The GV Stars sit atop the ladder after Sunday’s results.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
The stars aligned to produce a carnival day to remember in Shepparton East last weekend.
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On Sunday, nine all-abilities games were played by the Football Integration Development Association’s northern conference clubs, with the GV Stars featuring in three enthralling fixtures.
Games are played in two ten-minute halves, with the round-robin fixture alternating every half an hour to squeeze in all nine matches on the day.
The monthly-run carnivals provide people with a disability an opportunity to play their favourite sport and have a fun and fair-spirited experience on the footy field.
Secretary and team manager of the GV Stars Karen Piastri said the excitement on the players’ faces makes the hosting of the day all worthwhile.
“They all get really excited, and it’s a really great chance for them to play the game they all absolutely love,” Piastri said.
“It’s all played in such a good spirit, and they all get a fair opportunity to play with all their diverse abilities.”
The GV Stars fell short in their first two matches, losing 2.2 (14) to 4.2 (27) to Merriwa, as well as defeat by the same margin against Benalla.
But the Stars turned it on in a top-of-the-table clash against Echuca-Moama, with a performance of three goals to one enough to defeat a soaring Rockets team that had won its earlier two matches.
“We think we had a bit of a home ground curse at the start there,” Piastri said.
“The players were feeling a little disheartened so it was a great to finish the day with a win.”
The final FIDA carnival day for season 2025 falls on Sunday, August 24 in Wangaratta, while the GV Stars aim to have an exhibition match at halftime of the Goulburn Valley League grand final, as has been done for the previous two years.
The News’ Megan Fisher caught the action between the Stars and Benalla on Sunday.
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