Darren Cook always wanted his son to feel included on the footy field.
Though as young Sam grew older, the opportunities for those with disabilities waned in Shepparton’s mainstream sporting realm.
So instead of wishing upon a star, Cook created one.
GV Stars is a football team based in Shepparton that Cook started in 2014, welcoming people of all abilities to lace up and play Aussie rules in a safe and friendly environment.
The team recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, hosting a presentation night before backing it up with an exhibition match against Echuca Moama Rockets during half-time of Sunday’s Goulburn Valley League grand final.
It was fitting, considering GV Stars’ origins.
“I have a son with a disability and he enjoys his sport as much as his two brothers and sister,” Cook said.
“While he was a lot younger it was okay for him to join in soccer and that sort of stuff, but once he got physically bigger he couldn’t participate in junior sport.
“We found there wasn’t much for him to do with regards to that.”
Cook was inspired after watching a Rockets game and decided to replicate the model in Shepparton.
The Stars’ seed was planted, but it needed nurturing.
From limited playing numbers all those years ago to a bustling list of players aged 14 to 40 in 2024, Cook’s vision has turned out to be a real winner in Shepparton.
A large chunk of the success cropped up when Cook, who played his football at Shepparton East, decided to partner his new club with his old one.
“We had trouble getting a ground to play on and facilities,” Cook said.
“We’d gone from hiring sports fields down around the stadium, but that became problematic because schools had it and GVL and Murray clubs used it to train on different nights.
“We were out at Kialla, but the facilities just weren’t made for the majority of our players — they just weren’t up to spec.”
Cook reached out to the Eagles and asked if the Stars could swing by for a training session or two.
Three years on, that partnership is stronger than ever.
The more footy-mad Stars players are offered memberships to watch Shepparton East play while others have taken on roles such as waterboys or scoreboard operators within the club.
Which is what it’s all about, in Cook’s eyes.
“I wanted a lot of the guys to experience that club culture, because as we were, we’d just play and then go away and that was it,” he said.
“So now when we have a carnival on, we’ll have a tea on a Thursday night and they’ll read their sides out. They’ve been very good in embracing us into the club.
“Understandably, we get a few that mightn’t have the best home life and all that, but it gives them a bit of focus.
“Just that group participation, a bit of sense of worth all of a sudden where they’re part of a team.”
While GV Stars is a growing force, there’s always room for more.
Cook encouraged parents and carers of all abilities people to check out the team’s Facebook page if there was any hesitancy about what happened on game day.
“When we play the carnivals, we match like for like where the ones that are more able will play on each other and they can go flat out as much as they like,” he said.
“They know to look after the kids and that sort of stuff, it’s played in good spirits.
“Yes, you’ll have a few more competitive ones, but it’s more about getting out there, having a kick and having fun.”