On the EFL Day of Disabilities we want to highlight the excellent and important work the Trust carries out in the local community for those with disabilities.
This year we have engaged with children as young as 4 and adults up to the age of 75. We have been working with local mainstream schools such as Peel Park Primary School as well as specialist schools such as Broadfield Specialist School carrying out specialist PE lessons for those that have special educational needs.
Jack Walsh (PE Coordinator at Peel Park) was full of praise for the initiative;
“Accrington Stanley’s sessions have been amazing. Our Key Stage 2 children have increased in confidence; shown improved social skills; as well as making a significant progress in their fundamental skills. This positive impact has been noticed throughout school life and this is a result of their enjoyment and participation in all the activities delivered by the Accrington Stanley coaches. The coaches have worked alongside our own staff and have showed enthusiasm throughout the sessions. The sessions are well planned and provide a structure for those children with extra needs, who sometimes struggle.”
It has also been a successful year for our weekly adult disability football sessions that are held at Hyndburn Leisure Centre which has seen numbers increase rapidly over the last few months. These sessions are open to all abilities and impairments, the aim of the session is to give people the opportunity to play football and socialise in a safe and fun environment.
With the increase to our weekly adult sessions we are launching a new disability team in the New Year that will play once a month against other North West clubs in the Lancashire FA Ability Counts League in Preston. Head of Sport; Lee Walsh explains ‘this will be our first ever disability football team and we can’t wait to get it started- it will provide a unique opportunity for people with disabilities to play semi-competitive football in a safe and fully inclusive environment. I know the players themselves can’t wait to get started’
‘This year we have shown more participants that having a disability isn’t a barrier to play sport’ commented Sarah Hunt, Marketing and Communication Administrator. ‘ we are excited to launch the disability football team in the New Year and give the participants a chance to represent Accrington Stanley .’
For more information please visit www.stanleytrust.co.uk or call 01254 304071
