Wallsend Touch Football Association (WTFA) kicked off an All Abilities program with eight participants.
Three years later that number has grown more than 10 times over.
What hasn't changed? The core goal at the heart of it all according to the club's All Abilities coach and coordinator Linley Kenny.
"Our aim has always been simple - everyone deserves the opportunity to be part of a team, wear the club colours, learn new skills, make friends and experience everything that comes with belonging to a sporting club," Kenny told the Newcastle Herald.
According to WTFA's website, the All Abilities program run by the Wolves is "completely inclusive" and "provides opportunity for people with intellectual and/or physical impairments."
Kenny says there have now been 93 graduates in total.
August 23, 2026, marked a significant moment, with multiple teams, some from as far as Wingham and the Central Coast, coming together for an inaugural gala day.
Players of all ages, children right through to adults, were in action at Wallsend on Sunday.
"This is a very exciting step forward for the All Abilities touch football community," Kenny said.
"While the gala day is about playing footy, having fun and giving our participants the opportunity to represent their clubs, we hope it will also become the start of something much bigger.
"We would love to see more touch football associations recognise what can be achieved when clubs create genuine opportunities for people of all abilities to participate in our sport.
"Hopefully, seeing these teams come together will encourage other associations to jump in and run their own All Abilities programs and join us at future events."
Kenny says the impact can be hard to measure for all involved.
"As a coach of these amazing people, they teach us more then we can ever give them," she said.
"I will never be able to pick one moment that stands out the most, there are many secret tears shed between the coaches when we are watching our participants strive to achieve their goals, overcome challenges and continue to grow makes us incredibly proud.
"Every achievement, no matter how big or small, represents their determination, courage and willingness to have a go."
