Young people celebrate inclusion at Disability Football Festivals

"It's just lovely to look around and to see all the inclusivity and everyone's different abilities all coming together as one so they can enjoy one sport that they all love."
Conor, Chelsea FC Foundation

To mark this week's International Day of Persons With Disabilities, we are taking a look at how Premier League community programmes are providing football sessions that are accessible for all.

Hundreds of people had the opportunity to showcase their abilities and celebrate how football has made an impact on their lives at this summer's Premier League Disability Football Festivals.

More than 450 participants attended the pan-disability festivals at three professional football clubs, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chelsea and Middlesbrough, taking part in competitive matches as well as numerous activities and workshops.

One of the footballers competing was Conor, who takes part in disability provision provided by the Chelsea Foundation.

Conor has cerebral palsy. He was born prematurely at 24 weeks and spent more than six months in hospital.

"Football gives me that release," Conor says. "It's a very big release of endorphins, energy and just happiness really."

"He was the size of my hand," explains Conor's grandmother Joan. "This is what pan-disability has done for our boy.

Himmat

"I have a learning disability so I can't learn as fast as other people. At my new school they teach me at a pace that is suited to me. Having Bristol City come into the school is really cool. I joined their team and it's like being in a community. It's a good way to have more fun. I've learned so much, I've got healthy and I'm more confident than I was. Being part of today is amazing. It's not just us... there's loads of teams and there's way more people to enjoy it with. This is much bigger than what I had in my head. It's a special day for me because we don't normally get to have this kind of opportunity."

"When we see all of the kids that take part in all these tournaments, you can hear the emotion. I get so emotional... because everybody can play."

Chelsea and England defender Millie Bright attended the Festival at the club's Cobham training ground and was impressed with the talent on display.

"For Chelsea to be hosting the Premier League Football Festival is incredible," she said.

"We've seen from the turnout what it means for these guys to be here and to have the opportunity to play the beautiful game that we all love to play.

"Everyone is coming together to show that there are opportunities and that everyone deserves opportunities.

"They're here to win. They're passionate. They're expressive on the pitch. The message is: football is for all, sport is for all."

In Wolves, Manchester United Foundation were one of the teams taking part at the Festival held at the Sir Jack Hayward first-team training ground.

Laura

"I've been with Aston Villa for three years. I have ADHD and struggle with anxiety. I have changed a lot since being a part of the Villa Foundation. Villa have helped me a lot. They have helped deal with my challenges. I'm so grateful to them. We are a close team. We do everything together. We help eachother off the pitch as well. If one of us is stressed, we talk to eachother. It makes us even closer. Being at the Festival has been amazing. I like spending time with my team-mates but this is more... it's special. I'll remember this for a very long time. Football has given me more confidence to go to wherever else I need to go to."

"A day like this is amazing for our team," said Manchester United Foundation special educational needs and disabilities officer Ian Maitland. "We've got two Foundation partner schools that have combined for the day. It's great that they can learn to build relationships with new children.

"It's just brilliant. It's just a great opportunity for them to feel good about themselves, experience new challenges in a new setting, and help improve their confidence even more.

"This will be something that they'll remember for the rest of their lives and it's an experience that they can build on and hopefully a lot of them will continue to enjoy football, especially after a day like today.

Kaleb

"I'm autistic and I have ADHD. Everton have helped me understand how to calm myself down... they've helped me with everything. I've changed a lot and that makes me feel great. Everton spent time with me, they supported me when I needed help, when I was struggling at the hardest of times. They taught me a lot and they have helped me a lot and I'll always thank them for it. Three or four years ago, I wouldn't have believed that I would be at the Wolves training ground representing Everton. I wouldn't have thought that I could manage it. I feel proud of myself and I feel great about the future. This team mean a lot to me. It's like family."

"They are also mixing with other teams, they can see children from different parts of the country, all coming together to enjoy it. They are shaking hands at the end of the matches, saying hello and well played to the other players. It shows that they understand how important inclusivity is in sport.

"I think it's amazing to be able to showcase children of all needs and all disabilities. The Premier League and the clubs have a platform that they can help these guys grow as people and give them such a good experience."

Teams from 18 club community organisations attended Middlesbrough FC Foundation's festival at their Herlingshaw community multi-sports facility.

Harry

"I am partially sighted and I've been with Stoke City for over eight years. I haven't always accepted being visually impaired. Stoke have helped in every way. It's somewhere I can go and if I've had a bad day at school, I know I can go and play football with my mates. You can come on to the pitch and just be playing football and forget about everything else. Football is my life really. We always knew mainstream football wouldn't be for me and so without this, effectively, I wouldn’t be playing football. Playing at the Wolves training ground is incredible. You're at a Premier League club. Playing at the best facilities, on a nice day, and we're at the centre of it. If you're hearing impaired, got cerebral palsy, visually impaired, you're an amputee, there is a pathway for you. If you put your mind to it, you can do it."
Read Harry's story

As well as playing matches and taking part in workshops and games, participants were able to meet Middlesbrough women midfielder Fran Ward and have their photo taken alongside the Premier League Trophy.

The Premier League Disability Football Festivals are a celebration of how the Premier League's community programmes - Premier League Kicks, Premier League Inspires and Premier League Primary Stars - connect young people aged from five to 18 with football, providing positive opportunities to help them reach their potential.

They aim to create opportunities for players to develop their skills and confidence in a supportive environment, catering for the needs of people who are neurodivergent and those who have sensory or physical disabilities.

Cameron

"I was here as a player last year but today I've come as a volunteer. I wanted to give something back for everything I got. Having a place to play football meant a lot. It made me happy to have a place to play despite my disability. I've got autism, dyslexia and dyspraxia. I used to struggle with writing and reading. I'm not always the best at knowing people's faces and if they're sad or happy. I have been with Wolves for six years. I now have loads of friends and I'm better with learning. Being part of a football team has given me the confidence to follow my passions. It's so important for people with disabilities to have this opportunity. Most of us think we have got no chance at ever playing sport we like but a place like the Foundation gives you that ability to follow your dreams. It shows people what we are capable of."
Read Cameron's story

"This year's Premier League Disability Football Festivals, delivered in partnership with professional football club community organisations, offer a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the importance of football for everyone," said Premier League Director of Community, Nick Perchard.

"The festivals offer young people the opportunity to develop their technical ability and bring physical and social benefits, as players come together with young people from other clubs across England and Wales.

"Days like this help to remove barriers to participation and raise aspirations across the game."