Course: ABILIY COUNTS	Course-No:
Ability Counts is the Trust’s pan disability programme. It aims to offer the best possible football opportunities for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or mental health issues. It seeks to reflect the mainstream football opportunities within Suffolk and develop the skills of the individual.

To speak to someone regarding our Ability Counts programmes please contact Tom Nicholas on 01473 400897 or email tom.nicholas@itfc.co.uk.

Project Outline:

Ability Counts is the Trust’s pan disability programme. It aims to offer the best possible football opportunities for children, young people and adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities or mental health issues. It seeks to reflect the mainstream football opportunities within Suffolk and develop the skills of the individual.

Ability Counts offers a wide range of courses with something for all! There are opportunities for players at grassroots level as well as programmes which offer extended development for those individuals who show excellence. At the peak of this “pyramid of opportunity” is the opportunity to move into national squads where appropriate.

A core aim of the Ability Counts programme is to develop and sustain existing and new partnerships with those organisations offering sporting and social opportunities for those with a wide range of disabilities. Excellent links exist between Ability Counts and the Trust’s Coach Education Programme. This allows for the provision of high quality training opportunities for players, volunteer, teachers and carers.

 IPSWICH TOWN DISABLED FOOTBALL CLUB LEAGUE
 

• Open to men aged 16+ years
• Tuesdays 8pm-9.30pm (Term Time) at Portman Road
• 12 sessions £40 per Term
• Players are selected to join the team from trials and a squad of 23 players train weekly in preparation for matches within the South East and London Ability Counts League (matches on Sundays).
• The squad offers the chance for young men aged 16yrs+ to enjoy the opportunity to play regular football within a competitive league. The team is based on an ethos of equal play for each member of the squad this encourages personal development for all players regardless of ability.

ADULT'S PAN DISABILITY WEEKLY SOCCER CENTRE

• Open to men and women aged 16+ 
• Tuesday's 8pm - 9.30pm (Term Time) 
• 12 sessions at £40 per term

 Training and learning is focused on each individual

CHILDREN’S PAN DISABILITY WEEKLY SOCCER CENTRE

• Open to boys and girls 5-12yrs old
• Wednesday’s 6pm-7pm (Term Time)
• 10 sessions £30 per Term

Training and learning is focused on each individual.

SOCCER SIGHT

Football coaching sessions that are adapted to suite people with visual impairments how ever minor or complex, the sessions are delivered by RNIB Coaching Level 1 qualified coaches and is aimed at covering the core skills of football in a fun and safe environment.

• Adult Soccer Sight sessions run every Thursday at Portman Road, 7pm - 8pm. Soccer Sight sessions are free of charge.
  
  
• Children's Soccer Sight sessions run every Saturday at Portman Road, 9am - 10am - These sessions are also free of charge.

   

ITFC SCORE - Runs throughout the school holidays 

• Open to boys and girls aged 5-12yrs old.
• 1 or 2 days in the School Holidays at Portman Road.
• Normally from 10am-1pm

OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

Click here to view the Pyramid structure of the Regional and National Playing Structure.

Ability Counts is a true partnership programme.

Click here to read more about the partners involved in funding the initiative.

Click here For those of you interested in the FA’s classifications and rule adaptions for a range of disabilities.

Programme Costs

Below are the typical programme costs:

 Venue Details

Ability Counts is delivered on an outreach basis at schools across the region. The majority of adult courses are delivered at Ipswich Town Football Club.

Click here to download a map and directions to Ipswich Town Football Club

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