The words 'adversity' and 'inspiring' get thrown around a lot in the world of sports but it is these two words that sum up this weeks guest Benny Roche and the team that he represents - the Australia Pararoo Football Team.   The Pararoo's are Australia’s national football team for athletes with cerebral palsy, acquired brain injury or symptoms acquired from stroke but don't let their perceived disabilities fool you - these blokes are ferocious competitors with skills and work ethic that rival some of the best able bodied footballers around.   On top of this, they are also role models in the community who despite being dealt some fairly shitty  hands both personally and professionally, continue to work hard and not let these challenges get in the way of where they are going and what they want to achieve.

Benny's story from living with the daily struggles and adversity associated with CP - to  representing his country on 54 occasions (scoring 30 goals) -  to saving the CP Football program here in Australia by raising $160k in under 8 weeks (when the Australia Sports Commission cut their funding) is fair dinkum one of the best stories we've come across whilst doing this podcast.   And if you're inspired further by what you hear today, then check out this extraordinary documentary  by Tim Ferguson (in the link below) that explores in detail many of the players and stories discussed in today's podcast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kjh1FmCDAY

Also on the Ball and All podcast this week, we look back on all the action from the first leg of the World Surfing League Australasian tour in Newcastle.   We go 'Around the Grounds' and get the latest happenings in sport both locally and around the world and we pay our respects to Tommy Raudonikis - one of Rugby League's toughest competitors and one of its greatest larrikins.

As always we would like to  thank the people who support us:

Lennox Pizza and Pasta - The best pizza this side of Naples and a huge supporter of the podcast - call in and see Mez and the team when next in Lennox Head or get online and check them out at https://lennoxheadpizzaandpasta.com.au/

Bareback Biltong - unless your travelling to downtown Johannesburg anytime soon, then this is the best biltong you will ever have the pleasure of eating.  Get down to The Station Grocer Lennox Head or check them out online at www.barebackbiltong.com.au and take our word for it.

The Station Grocer Lennox Head - Your 'one stop shop' for all things fuel, food and coffee in Lennox Head and the Northern Rivers.  Get down and see Matty, Joel and the team and who knows, if Woody has his way they may be selling small reptiles very very soon.

The Lad Collective - fellas it's time to get your 'sheet' together and get back on track in the bedroom.    Bill & Ed Ovenden from The Lad Collective have made it their mission to help blokes everywhere with a couple of simple but genius inventions in the bedroom - check them out here https://www.theladcollective.com/ and support a couple of young Aussie blokes have a fair dinkum go of it.

Elders Lennox Head & Bangalow - with the real estate market really struggling in small map dot locations like Lennox Head and Bangalow, Elders thought it was time they got their name out there on the world stage - that is why they market themselves on the internet at https://www.elderslennoxhead.com.au/. https://bangalow.eldersrealestate.com.au/

Gage Roads Brew Co -  The team behind keeping the boys and crowd hydrated throughout the podcast with their Single Fin Summer Ale, Pipe Dreams Coastal Lager, Sidetrack  All Day XPL beers.  Get online and check them out at https://gageroads.com.au/our-beers/currents/

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