Project details
Northampton Town F.C. – Disability Programme
For almost twenty years Northampton Town FC Community Trust has been instrumental in the development of Disability Football in Northampton. Initiatives have included ‘England Ready’ days, where several players have progressed to play along the pathway and eventually for England in their specific disability.
The scheme has helped the development of disability players to become football coaches where they can volunteer and help at various football clubs within the county. We have helped develop young teams from Under 8’s up to adult teams with various disabilities to play at festivals in and out of the county. The scheme has also helped develop ladies teams, which now play regularly.
The scheme has formed a Downs Syndrome football team which receives regular coaching and has played in football festivals for several years now.
Working with Governing Bodies to encourage ‘turn up and play’ sessions for adults with disabilities and organising festivals for the players to attend is an important part of my role as a Football Disability Development Officer.
The disability programme is split into several sections: Down Syndrome, Adult Conference, Ladies, U18 & U25’s.
One of the highlights of the year is for players with a disability is to play at Sixfields Stadium, the home of Northampton Town Football Club. The Annual Pan Disability Football Festival is in its seventeenth year and players with disabilities from Northampton look forward to playing against teams from as far afield as Norwich and Brentford. Festivals such as this brings together the whole football community as well as raising awareness for players with disabilities.
Northampton Town F.C. – Premier League Primary Stars
Northampton Town F.C. – PL Girls Programme
