Inclusive Clubs
Our Inclusive club programme goes from strength to strength. Pete has been very busy working with local clubs identifying enthusiastic and skilled coaches to develop our disability provision. The aim of the inclusive club programme is to create activities for young people with disabilities no more than 30 minutes travel time from where they live. We have been delighted with the uptake on the programme and the efforts made so far by Codnor. Midway, Hilton and Long Eaton has been fantastic.
Derbyshire has taken great strides forward in developing more opportunities for young players with disabilities to participate across the county by working with local Charter Standard clubs to devleop provision in their local area or within 30 minutes travel time of their home so that their football experience is alike other mainstream young players.
The Disability Football Development Officer has been working in partnership with Derbyshire County Football Association to identify potential Charter Standard clubs and enthusiastic and motivated coaches to keep the programme moving forward. So far the results have been fantastic, with the following clubs establishing themselves and providing weekyl opportunities: -
Mondays 5.30 - 6.30pm – Codnor Boys FC at ALdercar Language College (6-16 years)
Nicky Tallents - 07967317191 / i
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Phil Stocks - 07860313653 /
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Tuesdays 5.30-6.30pm – Midway FC at Pingle School (6-16 years)
Sarah Parker – 07989 344601 /
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Tuesdays 6-7pm – Chesterfield FC at Queens Park Leisure Centre (6-16 years)
Sean Hoole – 07985 937781 /
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Thursday 6.30-7.30pm – Derby Shooters at Merrill School (16 years +)
Sam Turner – 01332 667575 /
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Tuesdays 6.30-7.30pm – Wirksworth Colts FC at Wirksworth Leisure Centre (6-16 years)
Chris Whittall - 07747 707117 /
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Wednesdays 5-6pm – Ability Counts FC at Powerleague Soccerdome (6-16 years)
Sam Turner – 01332 667575 /
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Thursdays 6-7pm – Hilton Harriers FC at Etwall Leisure Centre (6-16 years)
Maxine Harlow – 07713 362019 /
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Thursdays 6-7pm – Riverside FC at Wilsthorpe School
Sam Panzera – 07808 928999 /
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All of these clubs are delivered by Charter Standard Club coaches who hold the relevant FA coaching, Emergency Aid and Child Protection qualifications and have been mentored by Derby County in the Community coaches as part of the Inclusive Club programme.
The future of the Inclusive Club programme is bright, with the hope that in the future the Inclusive clubs will be able to come together and play competitively in a Coutny Disability Leageue structure. The first step towards this is being developed at present, with an Inclusive Club Festival being planned 30th January 2011. The festival will bring together all the clubs who are currently delivering disability football.
All of the clubs provide young players with disabilities the opportunity to participate in the nations favourite game and improve their skills, confidence and motivation to move forward within the game. The inclusive clubs also provide the opportunity to develop social skills within a fun safe environment under the supervision of qualified and knowledgeable coaching staff.
Derbyshire CS Inclusive Club Festival
Sunday the 30th January saw the first ever Derbyshire CS Inclusive Club Festival at Powerleague Soccerdome. Over 50 young players with disabilities participated in a fun packed afternoon of coaching and game play. Players from Riverside FC, Hilton Harriers FC, Midway FC, Wirksworth Colts FC, Chesterfield FC and Ability Counts FC were present to showcase their football talents under the supervision and guidance of Derby County in the Community coaches.
The Festival was first of its kind in Derbyshire and an opportunity for all the inclusive clubs to come together at a central venue and play the game. The festival highlighted all the good work delivered by Derby County in the Community in establishing and sustaining these clubs in partnerships with the Charter Standard Clubs themselves, who have to take a lot of credit for their commitment to disability football through their voluntary workforces of coaches and assistants.
Pete Collins, Disability Football Development Officer for Derby County in the Community said of the day, "The opportunity to bring all the inclusive clubs together and have so many disabled footballers playing together is testament to the work that has been going on for over three years in establisihing and sustaining these clubs. The hard work done by all of the coaches and club officials at the Charter Standard clubs in developing their disability provisions is what real grassroots football is all about. Seeing the young players today really showcases disability football and shows that Derbyshire is making great strides forward."
It is hoped that this festival is the start point for many more to come and eventually a more structured competitive disability football provision in Derbyshire, which would bring the country in line with the requirements of the FA's Disability Football strategy 2010-2012.
