1. Glenrothes Strollers
Inclusive Football

2. Ross Cafferkey
Club Inclusive Development Officer

3. 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

5. Our para-football section History
“Superstars” team formed in Autumn 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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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”

24. Thank you for listening!
Any questions?