ANY football player debut is an important day for both the player and the club, but last Saturday Heathmere Football Netball Club celebrated a debut that was far more special than most.

Portland’s own Christian Starick, who suffers from cerebral palsy, ran out for the Meres in their reserves’ 17.8 (110) to 5.2 (32) against Westerns last weekend.

Starick, who was diagnosed when he was a baby and given a near zero percent chance of ever walking, led the team onto the ground and later got boot to ball for his first career goal.

Starick said it was a dream come true to be on the field playing the sport he loved but had yet to ever take the field in.

“It was a very enjoyable experience… from the jumper presentation to leading the side out, all of it was special,” he said.

“It was made extra special by the fact that I was presented with number 30, the jumper worn by my close friend Peter Cook who passed away a couple of years ago.”

Heathmere senior coach Adrian Hann said he was proud to have been involved in getting this day off the ground, saying it was something which had been many years in the making.

“I’ve been a part of a number of clubs over the years, I’ve tried to get this going at many of them and it’s always proven too hard,” Hann said.

“It’s great that Heathmere were able to make it happen.

“It’s not something which has been thought of in the last fortnight… we’ve dreamt of this day with ‘Stazza’ since prep.

“We used to go to his house and teach him how to kick and mark the football… something like this has taken a long time to be able to achieve.

“It’s great to see him achieve his dream, but it’s also been a dream of ours for so long… 20-25 years in the making.”

Starick managed to get the ball through the big sticks for his first ever goal late in the contest.

“It was a highlight of the day… I got the ball off the ground, fumbled it a bit but eventually got it through… I was pretty excited.”

Both Starick and Hann expressed their gratitude to both Heathmere and Westerns for helping ensure the day came to fruition.

“I’m very thankful to (both clubs) for helping make this day possible, it wouldn’t have been able to happen without their help,” Starick said.

Hann added: “We’re very thankful to Westerns, they actually didn’t know about it until Thursday… and (they) jumped straight at the opportunity. They looked after him out on the field, they cleared the 50 for him and helped him make his dream come true.”

Hann re-signs at Meres

There’s more good news at Heathmere, with Hann has electing to continue in his role as senior coach in 2024.

It will be Hann’s third season at the helm, after he took on the role ahead of the 2022 campaign.

The Meres have already found some enhanced success under his tutelage, winning one more senior game than they were able to last season, while their reserves are a strong chance to play finals football, currently in fifth spot with two games clear ahead of sixth-placed Heywood.