SEN Football Festival 2008
Thursday 23rd October saw 9 Special Schools from across Wiltshire attend a festival of football at Devizes Leisure Centre. The festival which, was sponsored by Pertemps, was organised and delivered by STFC Football in the Community and funded through the Wiltshire FA Disability Strategy.
Prior to the festival, coaches visited all 9 schools and put on a 4 week coaching programme to train the players and get them prepared for the festival.
Over 110 disabled footballers participated in the day and were put through their paces by the Football in the Community coaches. The aims of the day were to give disabled footballers the opportunity to practice their skills and play in small-sided games. The morning session saw the players undertake a series of football skills including shooting, dribbling, ball skills and passing. The schools all thoroughly enjoyed themselves and the 4 week coaching programme really paid dividends for the players throughout the day.
The afternoon session gave the schools an opportunity to play in small-sided games. The games were split up into 3 different groups depending on ability and age. Every single player gave their all in each game which were keenly contested.
Adam Greaney, Disability Football Development Officer, commented:
“This is the 5th year Football in the Community have delivered this festival and it’s one of the highlights of our busy calendar as the children and teachers are so positive and appreciative. All of the schools can be extremely proud of their pupils as their commitment and attitude throughout the day was first class.
This festival is a great chance for some of these players to participate in football who may not usually get the opportunity. The Disability Strategy is also planning to deliver a competitive Special Schools League and many of these players will get the chance to further their skills and experience by playing in it. We are currently working closely with the competition managers in the County to ensure this league or mini-leagues will cater for such players and ultimately feed into a Disability Centre of Excellence, which is planned for next season. So it is an exciting time for disability football in Wiltshire”.
Football in the Community and the Wiltshire FA’s Disability Strategy are delivering a number of sessions for different disabilities across the county. If you would like more information on disability football then please contact Adam Greaney on 01793 421303.
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