Southend United Community & Educational Trust

Disability

Everyone can play the game, sometimes in different ways and at different levels, but we teach our coaches to see the ability of each person and treat them as individuals.

Our coaches have experience of working with a wide range of disabilities or special needs groups - cerebral palsy, learning disability, visual impairment, and deaf or hard of hearing.

Listed below are the schools in which we are currently conducting practical sessions:

• Lancaster
• St Nicholas
• St Christophers
• Pioneer
• Our Lady of Ransom

Southend Community and Educational Trust work in partnership with The FA, Essex FA and local youth football clubs to provide local, county and regional competitive opportunities for boys and girls and would be pleased to hear from Special Schools or organisations that could help us achieve our aim's.

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What are Southend United Community and Educational Trust and the local community doing to encourage Disability Football at grass roots level?

We are lucky enough to have Four Soccability Clubs in this part of Essex. These clubs have been set up to enable children who for one reason or another cannot play in mainstream football – whether it is due to physical or/and emotional difficulties.

Leigh Ramblers are just one of the clubs who decided that there was a need to start up such a club. Graham Owen and Rob Baines formed the club in March 2007 and explained ‘As the largest club in the area, we knew as a club we should be offering coaching to all potential players regardless of ability. We feel the group has gone from strength to strength and being a Pan Disability group we are able to coach all levels and abilities.’

Leigh Ramblers are not the only club involved as Bob Pointer from Hambro Colts also identified the need for a club that could accommodate youngsters with different needs. Bob explained ‘We have 3 sections. Under 12’s, Under 16’s and recently added an Adult section too. We currently have between 20 and 24 youngsters attending our sessions.’ Hambro Colts have had many highlights in a short space of time as their teams are regulars when it comes to playing in tournaments and matches with other Soccability Teams from around the Country. The Under 12’s competed in a tournament in Kent and came back home crowned Plate Winners Champions 2007 while the Under 16 team have also had success by being crowned London Pan Disability Novice section winners 2007.

We also have two more Soccability clubs not too far from us here in Southend. Beech United have a Soccability section and train in Basildon while in Maldon, Maldon Saints also offer training to young footballers not able to play mainstream football.

These clubs would not exist if it were not for the tremendous amount of free time that the coaches give up. It is not only time during the weekends that the coaches use but to ensure that Disability Football in Essex continues to build, Soccability Club coaches are also invited to attend the Essex FA Steering Group which meets every few months. This group looks into everything to do with Disability Football in Essex from progress reports and new ideas to the organisation of tournaments and more.

A lot of boys who attend various Soccability Clubs do so because they want to have fun and make friends. It is also a chance for the children to be involved in a team, something that they may not have done before. When Graham was asked what his highlight would be so far of Leigh Ramblers Soccability Club, he replied ‘The boys faces when they were given Leigh Ramblers kit and Training Jackets, they knew then they were part of a team.’

Until recently, these clubs only catered for children up to the ages of 16 years. Hambro Colts have identified the need to start up an adult section and encourage more people with disabilities to play football. Hambro Colts are looking to get an adult team together within the next six months and have also helped many youngsters get on the coaching ladder in the form of Junior Football Organisers.

We here at Southend United Community and Educational Trust are currently in the process of planning and organising events that these clubs will be able to participate in. By Easter, we are looking to have held a series of football fun days that youngsters can come and play in. These days will include various skill challenges that all the children can take part in, no matter what ability and will be focussed on achievement and having fun.

Our long term aim is to see local children and adults represent Southend United around the Country at games and tournaments. There is already a thriving Ability Counts League in the Eastern Region which includes representatives from Norwich, Ipswich and Colchester just to name a few. Southend United would love to be part of this and are currently working towards being involved in the future.

If you are interested in joining any of the sides mentioned in today’s article, both Junior or Adult or would like to know more information regarding other programmes we offer, please do not hesitate to contact Ben Duncan at Southend United Community and Educational Trust on 01702 341351 or click here emai us.

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