By Duncan Mackay 

Funding has been restored for the Pararoos, it was announced by Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop today ©FFAFinancial backing is to be restored for the Pararoos, Australia's seven-a-side Paralympic football team, after a new philanthropic funding model was announced in Sydney today.


It follows a public campaign for the team to receive financial help after the Australian Sports Commission cut their AUD$175,000 (£96,000/$164,000/€120,500) funding last year because they did not believe they would qualify for Rio 2016. 

But, under the scheme unveiled today by Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive David Gallop, members of the community will be able to make tax deductible donations in support of the Pararoos.

The new funding model was established with the help of Patrick Walker, chief executive of the Australian Sports Foundation, an organisation committed to raising funds to help raise money for sport in the country.

It is hoped the scheme could raise as much as AUD$300,000 (£156,000/$233,000/€215,000).

"FFA has looked at several options to restore funding to the Pararoos and the partnership with the Australian Sports Foundation was clearly a winner," said Gallop.

"All the funds raised through this partnership will go towards keeping the Pararoos on the pitch."

Already, the Pararoos long-time assistant coach Kai Lammert has been promoted to head coach.

He will lead the Pararoos when they hold a training camp later this month in Sydney to prepare to compete at the 2015 CPIRSA World Championships in Nottingham in June.

The target will be to qualify for next year's Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The Pararoos have not competed at the Games since Sydney 2000. 

In addition, Mark Bresciano and Mark Schwarzer of the Socceroos, who have qualified for the last three FIFA World Cup tournaments, have agreed to be special ambassadors for the Pararoos and try to help raise awareness of them. 

"This campaign is important for ensuring the Pararoos are able to compete at the highest level, just like the Socceroos," said Walker.

"However, if anything, it is more important for the inspiration the Pararoos provide to all Australians challenged by disability, I urge the football community to get involved and support the Pararoos."

Claire Falls, a prominent figure in a campaign to get financial help for the Pararoos restored, was among those who attended an event where a new funding model was announced ©FFAClaire Falls, a prominent figure in a campaign to get financial help for the Pararoos restored, was among those who attended an event where a new funding model was announced ©FFA

Gallop admitted the public campaign to back the Pararoos had made a big difference.

This included 12-year-old Claire Falls writing to the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to complain about the Pararoos funding being cut. 

She was invited to today's press conference to announce the new funding model. 

"I would like to thank all the supporters of the Pararoos, and in particular the efforts of young Claire Falls from the ACT (Australian Capital Territory), who signed petitions, contacted media organisations and made representations to elected members of Parliament in championing the cause during the difficult times," said Gallop.

"As a result of your passion, we have the confidence that the Pararoos will have a long and bright future."

The Pararoos will also adopt the FFA National Curriculum for Paralympic teams across state and national programmes, Gallop revealed. 

Planning is underway to include women's programme within three years.

The goal is eventually to have a whole of disability' football programme, including deaf and blind football, as well as powerchair.

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