The provision of Football Coaching within the school environment by a network of partners working together, representing Leicester City Council, Leicester City Football in the Community, FA Charter Standard Clubs and the Leicestershire & Rutland Inclusive Football Partnership has been instrumental in the success of the provision of local football opportunities.
Leicestershire and Rutland Inclusive Schools & Colleges Leagues and also Girls Football Festivals take place at regular intervals throughout the academic year, mainly at the Goals Centre, Wakerley Road, Leicester.
Currently, the schools league is supported by the 15 Special Schools around the City and County and also 2 primary mainstream schools, special educational needs youngsters. As we engage with more mainstream schools the numbers of schools and youngsters participating will increase, we already have over 20 teams and 110 players taking part in both the primary and secondary school aged competition.
The Inclusive Football Colleges League is attended by students, aged 16 and over from mainstream, special schools and colleges around the City and County. A total of 12 teams have attended each of the events held so far, with around 100 footballers attending.
Girls Festivals for players with special needs/ disabilities have also seen an increase in attendance as more schools and colleges become aware of this opportunity. Girls from Special Schools and Mainstream Schools attend the events, which include skills sessions and small sided games. Girls Only Football was a great event in the Inclusive Youth Games for 2009.
These football opportunities have enhanced links between Schools and Local Football Clubs, therefore encouraging youngsters to be part of their Local Inclusive Football Club, participating in Football outside of the school environment.
For further details please contact:
Mary Rudkin at the Leicestershire & Rutland County FA
Tel: 0116 2844952 / 07752 746229