Disability

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISABILITY
 
 

ANGLO EUROPEAN SCHOOL

 
Every Wednesday between 3:45-5:00pm, and places can be snapped-up at any time at Anglo European School Sports Hall, Willow Green, Ingatestone, Essex, CM4 0DJ.
 
The club is free of charge and those interested in attending or who require further information should contact Jack Ferguson on (07872) 955547 or the school on (01277) 354018.
 
 

FOOTBALL FOR ALL AT LEIGH RAMBLERS

 
Leigh Ramblers are the latest club in Essex to offer football for all with regular Soccability coaching sessions for children with disabilities.
 

Leigh Ramblers FC
 
The Southend based Charter Standard outfit recently completed an eight week Three Lions pilot programme for the children and Leigh Ramblers coach, Graham Owen, is delighted with the progress they've made: "We originally started up with just four boys but we've got ten in total now and it's been great fun," said Graham who recently completed a Coaching Disabled Footballers course with the Essex County FA.

Graham admits that the one hour sessions for 8-16 year olds on Saturday mornings are a lot different from his regular coaching with Leigh Ramblers' youth teams: "We didn't know what to expect at first but it's just a case of tailoring the skills and drills to the strengths of specific individuals.

"All the boys are forming friendships now and we have one lad who's in an electric wheelchair but he gets involved as well and that's very rewarding to see."

Leigh Ramblers' neighbours, Hambro Colts, have been pushing Soccability in the south of the county and Graham went along to a couple of their coaching sessions before starting up the Ramblers Three Lions club.

"Bob Pointer has done a great job at Hambro Colts and it gave us an idea on how to approach the coaching sessions at Leigh Ramblers. We also attended their recent Soccability festival which everyone enjoyed," said Graham who has coached at Leigh Ramblers for over five years.

Graham added: "Bob is keen to start up a friendly football league for all the local Soccability clubs and we'd love to be involved.

"We've had some very positive feedback from all the children's parents and, now that the pilot sessions are over, we're looking forward to integrating Soccability into Leigh Ramblers on a regular basis."
 

BEECH FOOTBALL
 
South Essex is certainly the place to be if you’re interested in football opportunities for disabled children with Hambro Colts, Beech United and Leigh Ramblers all setting up FA Soccability schemes.
 

John Smith and the Beech United Soccability Club
 
We caught up with Beech United’s John Smith who explained more about their Saturday morning coaching sessions at Barstable School: “I contacted Bob Pointer at Hambro Colts at the end of last year and he gave me some advice on how to get things up and running,” explained John who has been involved in youth football for almost 20 years.
“We contacted some Special Schools like the Pioneer in Basildon and also advertised our Soccability project with charities like BOSP (Brighter Opportunities through Supported Play) and SNAP (Special Needs And Parents) and we’ve now got twelve children taking part in regular coaching sessions.” 
 
Beech United have a School Club link with Barstable and hour long sessions take place in the school’s Sports Hall: “The children have a range of different disabilities such as Special Needs and Downs Syndrome so we keep everything basic and make sure that all the drills are with the ball,” said John who is also looking to run some coaching sessions for BOSP in the summer.

Soccability provides fun football for all
 
“It’s been a great experience for everyone involved so far. The children are enjoying themselves and the parents are just happy to see the kids playing football and having a good time. There’s no win at all costs style attitude and, as a coach, it’s a breath of fresh air.”
 
For more information on the Beech United Soccability scheme contact John Smith on 07814 227304.

There’s also plenty of Disabled Sport opportunities taking place around the county and you can find them by downloading the Sport Club Directory here.

If your sports club details need updating on the directory then contact Dominic Everett at dominic.everett@essexcc.gov.uk.

 
 

LEIGH RAMBLERS - SOCCABILITY
 
Local Charter Standard club, Leigh Ramblers, are helping to provide football opportunities for all by launching their own Soccability football sessions for disabled players.
 
 
Everyone signing up to the Leigh Ramblers programme will receive a special FA goody bag, certificate and T-shirt at the end of the eight weeks and you can find out more by downloading the flyer here.

SOCCABILITY CLUBS IN ESSEX

Beech United - Barstable School
John Smith 07814 227304

Hambro Colts - The Rocheway Centre
Bob Pointer 01702 207217