England Football Learning has launched a new free online course aimed at helping existing grassroots clubs become more confident and inclusive towards coaching disabled footballers. The Introduction to Coaching Disabled Footballers module, spanning 60 minutes, comes on the heels of the 2021 launch of Football Your Way, a groundbreaking initiative by The Football Association aimed at advancing disability football. This plan seeks to foster the development, enhancement, and awareness of disability football.
Under the umbrella of Football Your Way, England Football is committed to fostering a culture in which disabled individuals not only have access to all facets of the sport but also feel a genuine sense of belonging both on and off the field. In collaboration with Activity Alliance, England Football has undertaken commissioned research to create a disability training workshop and toolkit tailored for grassroots football clubs, with the aim of enhancing inclusivity for disabled individuals.
The research revealed that while club volunteers are deeply committed to offering high-quality football experiences for disabled individuals, coaches often lack the necessary knowledge and confidence to adapt football activities for this demographic. Moreover, coaches expressed a need for training and guidance on effectively engaging with disabled players.
The Introduction to Coaching Disabled Footballers module aims to address the barriers identified in the research. This course will furnish participants with the knowledge and awareness required for coaching disabled footballers, while also delving into the practical application of coaching tools, tactics, and techniques necessary for adapting delivery to suit the needs of disabled players. The course is open to coaches aged 16 and above, and completion requires just 60 minutes of your time.
Access to the course: https://learn.englandfootball.com/courses?category=disability-football
