More Than Football Award 2024 Longlist: Waterford FC – Autism Football Community

More Than Football Award 2024 Longlist: Waterford FC – Autism Football Community

The European Football for Development Network (EFDN) is proud to present the Waterford FC – Autism Football Community project, which has been selected for the longlist of the More Than Football Award 2024.

In the past nine months, Waterford Football Club has played a significant role in the city of Waterford’s aim to become Ireland’s first autism-friendly city. In the process, the club has introduced football into the lives of dozens of children with autism in Waterford by providing them with a safe and secure space to enjoy football at their stadium and additionally, by providing football participation training sessions for these children and young people on a weekly basis.

This is achieved through two inter-related activities which the club delivers which makes up the Autism Football Community project:

• The Autism Friendly Match Day Experience (AFME): Waterford Football Club has introduced a procedure on match days where children and young people with autism can comfortably attend football matches at the city’s Regional Sports Centre Stadium. Firstly, the children and family are provided with access to the stadium via a specially designated entrance which prevents them from having to join a queue.

• The Football Friends: The Football Friends programme evolved as a direct consequence of Waterford FC’s AFMDE programme. Parents attending club games with their children expressed a desire to get their child involved in playing football. Waterford FC responded positively by identifying and gaining access to a local authority playing facility for the children.

Main project objectives

• ⁠To provide an opportunity for children and young people with autism to comfortably attend and enjoy professional football matches by providing a welcoming, supportive and encouraging environment for their families at the stadium  
• ⁠To provide an opportunity for children and young people with autism to regularly participate in and play football in a safe and secure environment supported by club volunteer ambassadors with practical knowledge and understanding of dealing with children and young people living with autism.
• ⁠To make a tangible and meaningful contribution to the city of Waterford becoming Ireland’s first Autism Friendly city by becoming an autism friendly football club.