Arguably one of the greatest legends of the club, Franco Baresi, along with other Rossoneri legends Daniele Massaro and Serginho, gave 21 lucky Telethon champions a skills session.
Daniele Massaro, who played as a forward for Milan in the 80s and 90s, said he loved Australia. This was his first time in Perth and he took pleasure in making the “kids happy” for a good cause.
The skills session at The Football Centre in Osborne Park was one of the first opportunities for the three Series A legends to meet the local community whilst visiting for the blockbuster friendly match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Optus Stadium last Friday.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans such as 10-year-old Jordan Gortat, whose life changed overnight three years ago when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and multiple brain bleeds.
Jordan Gortat (10) at the skills session. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
What started with relentless headaches and vomiting at age 7 was later confirmed as a 5cm mass and Jordan underwent brain surgery, during which his parents almost lost him twice.
His father Matthew said Jordan now suffered extreme fatigue, balance issues and a lack of memory retention.
“The brain injury has affected the mobility on Jordan’s left side and he experiences extreme fatigue and delayed processing,” Mr Gortat said.
“He had to have intensive rehab three to four days a week for six months at Perth Children’s Hospital and he has had to learn the basic skills like walking and talking again.”
Jordan was up and running at the skills session in what was his first taste of sport in three years.
“He was really excited for today; any sport actually, he just wants go to 100 miles an hour,” his mother Sarah said.
Jordan regularly attends Telethon beneficiaries for speech and occupational therapy at PCH and Rocky Bay and has been able to continue his love of soccer by playing in the Football Futures i-League program, funded by Telethon.
Football Futures program and operations manager Art Hiemstra said the day was a unique opportunity for the kids to meet and play with some of the world’s best players.
Telethon beneficiary champions are given the opportunity to meet AC Milan Legends at The Football Centre. Credit: Daniel Wilkins/The West Australian
“I’m from the Netherlands originally and I’ve seen these players when I grew up; obviously they’re absolute legends of the game,” he said.
“They might not be known to the kids but just an opportunity to play and be on the same pitch with players like Franco Baresi, who has won a World Cup, Serginho has won titles, Massaro, who has scored many goals for Milan and is an absolute legend.
“I think football is such a unique sport in terms of being global and you can just see how it brings different cultures together.”
The Football Futures i-League program is specifically tailored for children with disabilities, developmental delays and any other barriers that might otherwise prevent them from enjoying mainstream football.
Open training sessions were held at HBF Park before the game on Thursday, with the $5 entry fee being donated to Telethon.