Glenrothes Strollers Inclusive Football

Ross Cafferkey Club Inclusive Development Officer

Our Club Community Football club based in Glenrothes Founded in 1973 Offering football for all from children to adults, girls and boys Over 500 members From 18 months to Over 35s

Our para-football section History “Superstars” team formed in Autumn 2011 to offer football for young people with learning disabilities Started by three volunteer coaches – John Buchanan, Bill Cameron & Eric Grieve. Later joined by Joe McCafferty Identified a need for organized footballing activity for children with disabilities

Our para-Football section history Only club in Fife with a disabled playing squad Played first tournament in 2012 in Kings Park in Stirling Joined the SFA PAN Para-Football National League

Enhancing football experiences Offering more than simply playing football Away days to watch football matches Trip to Old Trafford in Manchester Mascots for Newcastle Utd

Initial Aims of the group Building Friendships Providing Opportunities Supporting Others Social Inclusion

Building Friendships Bringing together young people with disabilities who have a shared passion Enhancing social skills through regular interaction with peers Combating loneliness and isolation by making lasting friendships Building team spirit through bonding activities and playing together

Providing opportunities Giving anyone who wants to play football the chance to do so Allowing young people with disabilities to play football in a fun and safe environment Interactions with and meeting new people A chance to compete as part of a team Providing carers with regular scheduled respite

Supporting others Creating an environment where players are supported by coaches and their needs are meet Peers supporting each other through shared experiences Parents and carers supporting each other through mutual familiarities

Social Inclusion Enable young people with disabilities to become part of a mainstream club within their communities Create an understanding and acceptance in mainstream kids for the diversity in their community Show that football is a shared passion that connects people regardless of background

Building our project Applied for Shared Care funding in 2013 Lack of local opposition teams to play against Lack of opportunities to for disabled people to participate in football in Angus, Tayside and Perth and Kinross Recruited two members of staff to expand para-football in the SFA East Region

Initial Ideas Football Away days Connect with other community clubs Work alongside disability charities

Problems Encountered Away days proved to be not cost effective and difficult to organise across multiple areas with increased numbers Slower than planned progress with other clubs and charities Lack of resources and facilities at clubs to cater for a para-football team

Overcoming problems & Key to success Identifying suitable partners to connect clubs with Continued support for new para-football sessions Upskilling volunteers to enhance their knowledge Sharing best practices between clubs Creating close relationships with other clubs

Evolution of our project From working within our own club solely to working with numerous clubs, organisations, schools and charities within the East Region From travelling out with the region to play festivals to bringing them into our region and hosting our own at various clubs Group football match events being attended at local professional clubs From one stand alone community club para-football team we are now connected with other clubs running a variety of different para-football projects Helping disabled players progress into coaching roles and developing their skills

Our ongoing work Helping clubs sustain sessions Creating new para-football teams Planning and organising festival and events Helping volunteers

Sustaining Sessions Continual dialogue with clubs to assess their needs. Surveying parents and players to get regular feedback Regular support for sessions Sharing of best practices Working with partnership organisations to support ongoing para-football team

Creating new sessions Working with partnership organisations to identify gaps and opportunities Listening to local groups to ascertain their needs Providing coaches and kit to support sessions in their infancy Continued ongoing support

Planning Festivals and events Running regular football festivals with our region Giving players the chance to play regular football against other teams Organising all day events consisting of football activity and attending a match, for all clubs to attend together Helping other clubs to plan and implement their own festivals

Helping Volunteers Providing specialist coaches education courses for coaching para-footballers Offering disability awareness workshops to help volunteers understand the needs of the players they coach Peer support through a regional working group

What the Players Say “I play to get to know people and have fun” “I like making new friends. Football is amasing” “Its great to see differences in players confidence and skills inside and outside the game”

Thank you for listening! Any questions? dev@gsfc.org.uk