In what airport staff are calling an Australian First, Hedland's most Junior football players took to a makeshift field at Port Hedland International Airport last weekend for a game of footy like no other.
More than 40 Auskick players from Hedland will head to Perth this weekend to play a game at Domain Stadium in Subiaco before the West Coast Eagles and Hawthorn take to the field for their round 22 clash.
It's the opportunity of a lifetime for the players, which has also been coupled with their Hedland airport experience thanks to the PHIA which is sponsoring the team to get to Perth.
Airport chief executive Mitchell Cameron said staff had worked hard to gain clearance for the game, which included an application to a Federal agency and creating a special event zone. "It's a great opportunity and we just wanted to give the kids something unique they will be able to remember for a long, long time", he said.
Hedland Auskick administrator Deborah Chapman said giving the children the opportunity to play ahead of the Eagles match had taken more than two months of preparations.
She said the children were very excited about the trip, which will see both Hedland and Tom Price Auskickers play at Domain. "It's a great opportunity for them," she said. "Those kinds of opportunities don't come along that often for kids so far away from the city." More than $17,000 was raised for the trip through community donations and sponsorships.
As part of the trip, players will also play at half-time during the Swan Districts game this Saturday.