Presentation to Shropshire Junior Football League - 15 th October 2015 Identifying Talented Disabled Players in Mainstream Leagues Will Perkins– FA Talent Selection Officer – Midlands and East Aiden Wassell- Shrewsbury Town FC Health and Inclusion Lead Officer.

Session Objectives... It’s all about potential and talent Why are we here? Introduction.. To raise awareness of the England Disability Talent Pathway Highlight opportunities for YOUR players access Demonstrate talent and potential- what are we looking for? Showcase good practice What can you do? Resources/contacts

Introduction to the pathway 8 FA supported England teams- real focus on those disabilities that present in mainstream environments 35 Local talent centres 21 Regional Talent Centres focussing on Blind, VI, Deaf and CP 4 national/ regional staff dedicated to supporting centres/players 614 players supported in 2014/15 2 major international tournaments hosted in England in 2015 CP team qualified for the Paralympics 2016 in Rio- could any of your players be there?

England Talent Pathway Disability Recruitment Networks x 30 FA Regional Talent Centres (B1, CP, PS and D) minimum x 22 wks. plus fixtures FA Disability Talent Identification Programmes (30 x England Talent Days and 6 week assessment and referral periods) FA Emerging Talent Programme (B1, CP, D, PS and GKs) 4 x 2 days plus bespoke support England Development Squads (B1, CP, PS and D) 4 x 2 days England Elite Squads

Talent Outcome Measures for Disability Football Quality and quantity of players at the top of the pathway; Breadth and scale of the pathway; Player progression through the pathway; Improved quality of the pathway; Effectiveness of the pathway for talented disabled players. Additional Outcomes Transition of players from mainstream to disability talent environments Increase opportunities and access to the talent system for all athletes with potential, regardless of their background or circumstances A need to do things differently.

Widen the net! Key to delivery.... FA Disability Recruitment Network ESFA PL and FL Trusts FA Skills Coaches School Partnership Managers SENCOs FA Coach Mentors CS Clubs and Leagues CSP Inclusion Officers PE Specialists Proactively identify players – ‘purposeful recruitment for a fixed point in time’!

What Can you do? Conduct a review of disability within your club/league (inclusion of disability line on registration form/Survey Monkey?) Attend Regional Network Meeting on behalf of club/league Link in with local Regional Talent Centres- understand the level, opportunity Player referral to Talent Selection Officers Promote the England Disability Talent Pathway to others, particularly in mainstream settings Challenge local club/educational institutions on what they are doing

Please Fill In The Form Below Name:…………………………….. Age…………………… Address…………………………………………. Emergency Telephone Number…………………………. …………………………………………. Disability Classification…………………………. Photo Consent: Yes/No please circle Where did you here of the England Talent Day………………………………….

Final Messages... It’s all about potential and talent Players of suitable level are predominately in mainstream environments Players encouraged to stay in most appropriate learning environment- most often mainstream provision Differences in classification- particularly CP5 Opportunity for players and coaches within pathway Could your club have players who could access the pathway? And take part in upcoming international tournaments? Genuine opportunity for players to progress and understand their journey!

Useful Contacts West Midlands Cerebral Palsy Regional Talent Centre West Midlands Partially Sighted and Deaf Regional Talent Centre Shrewsbury Town FC Talent ID Programme FA Disability Talent Selection Officer