DISABILITY FOOTBALL PROGRAMME

DISABILITY FOOTBALL PROGRAMME

Every year since 2007, the Football Club Social Alliance has been engaged in promoting disability football across Europe. Two elements form the basis of the programme – the Young Coach Education in disability football for youths with and without a disability and the Special Youth Camp as an annual summer camp for children with special needs. The upcoming Special Youth Camp 2016 will be the 10^th jubilee edition.

TANDEM YOUNG COACH EDUCATION

The main objective of the Tandem Young Coach Disability Football Education is to enable and motivate interested youngsters and young adults with or without a disability to take on the responsibility as a Young Coach in disability football. Learning as a team is what makes the Young Coach Education Programme in disability football special. Young adults with and without a disability come together for a one-week education and learn how to organise football training sessions for youth with special needs. A few months later they can practically apply their acquired skills during the Special Youth Camp. After the camp the participants return to their football clubs as fully trained Young Coaches in order to actively work in the disability football groups of the clubs.

As of today, 60 Young Coaches from all over Europe have successfully completed the education.

SPECIAL YOUTH CAMP

The Special Youth Camp is the annual highlight of the disability football programme. Each year the FCSA member clubs invite different guest clubs in order to jointly enhance disability football and promote important values of inclusion, respect, and fair play. Young people with a mental and/or a physical disability take part in the week-long summer camp and join the football sessions led by professional instructors of the participating football clubs. The Young Coaches from the Tandem Young Coach Education are fully included in the planning and implementation of the trainings. By offering joint football and recreational activities for young people with and without a disability, the integration of youth with a disability into society is fostered.

The most recent edition in 2015 was organised for more than 80 participants from different European countries.