Disability Football

In 2004 the FA launched its Disability Football Strategy, with a view to increasing the opportunities for disabled people to play football at a grassroots level. Pledging £1.2 million to grassroots development and the running of the Six National Disability England squads.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN HEREFORDSHIRE

**COMING TO HEREFORD IN AUGUST - IBSA WORLD BLIND FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 2010 ~ 14TH - 22ND AUGUST**

Since 2002 we have been working in partnership with FC Phoenix our FA Ability Counts Club to support and provide football opportunities for SCORE & ECHO, organisations who support adults with learning disabilities as well as MIND an organisation working with and supporting adults with mental health problems. Our inclusion work in schools is growing and will continue to do so as we identify further opportunities. Particular mention and thanks to Barrs Court School, Bishops High School, Blackmarston School, Coddington Court Schools, Hampton Dene Primary School and Westfield School.

FC Phoenix provide opportunities for children & adults with physical, learning and sensory disabilities to train and play on a regular basis in the FA Ability Counts football programme. FC Phoenix enter teams on a monthly basis into the West Midlands Regional Ability Counts festivals and competitions.

For further information about disability football at FC Phoenix please visit the clubs website via the link on the right or contact FC Phoenix club secretary Ralph Farmer on 01432 353900 or email ralph@fcphoenix.co.uk

We are pleased to announce that SCORE, ECHO and HEREFORDSHIRE MIND have now developed teams of their own since securing Small Grants Scheme funding through the Football Foundation.

FA ABILITY COUNTS & HEREFORDSHIRE DISABILITY FOOTBALL LEAGUES

In Herefordshire we now have 10 male and 2 female disability teams who train every week. Many of the players from SCORE, ECHO and MIND play in the FA Ability Counts league under the FC PHOENIX banner as well as playing in our own HEREFORDSHIRE DISABILITY FOOTBALL league at the appropriate ability level.

FA NATIONAL BLIND FOOTBALL LEAGUE

The FA National Blind Football League is also based at the Point4, Hereford with RNC Hereford competing.

Please see the links to the right for further information about the FA Ability Counts, Herefordshire Disability and FA National Blind Football leagues.

For further information or to find out how you as an individual, your club, school or organisation can get involved in our disability football programme please contact Paul Carpenter at the HFA on 01432 342179 email paul.carpenter@herefordshirefa.com